Tingling, also known medically as part of paresthesia, is a sensitivity disorder (see also sensory disorder) of the nerves. These sensory disturbances can occur in any part of the body. Medically, tingling is categorized as a paresthesia (skin nerve insensitivity) and can have many causes.
What is tingling?
Tingling can occur in all parts of the body. In most cases, it is a temporary sensation that disappears on its own. Tingling can occur in all parts of the body. In most cases, it is a temporary sensation that disappears on its own. However, it can also happen that the so-called tingling paresthesias persist over a longer period of time and sometimes severely affect the affected patients. In these cases, a medical clarification of the cause is advisable, because harmless causes are not always responsible for the tingling. Typical tingling phenomena are tingling in the fingers, hands or arms, as well as tingling in the toes, feet or legs. Tingling of the nose is also a sensation of discomfort that occurs frequently.
Causes
Tingling can have many causes. Harmless and quickly transient nerve irritations can trigger a tingling sensation. However, inflammation and severe neurological diseases can also be a reason for this insensitivity. The most common causes include damage to individual nerves due to toxins, infections or entrapment. In the case of infections, both viral and bacterial infections can be triggers of the tingling sensation. Entrapment of the nerves sometimes occurs with herniated discs. Allergies, deficiency symptoms or side effects of medications can also be reasons for tingling. Frequently, the insensitivity is triggered by circulatory disorders. In some cases, serious diseases of the cardiovascular system can be the cause. Tingling is also a typical symptom of restless legs syndrome. In some cases, tingling can be triggered by other serious diseases. These include strokes, brain and spinal cord tumors, and some neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. If no clinical finding is found for the tingling, psychological causes must also be considered as triggers. Stress is at the top of the list.
Diseases with this symptom
- Herniated disc
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Allergy
- Restless legs syndrome (Restless legs)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Malnutrition
- Stroke
- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
Diagnosis and course
Any prolonged tingling should always be medically clarified. To find a correct diagnosis, the doctor will first try to narrow down the possible causes to a large extent by asking various questions. This includes a detailed questioning about the occurring symptoms and the patient’s medical history. The doctor will also ask whether the patient is taking certain medications. A physical and neurological examination as well as a blood test are part of the examination program in any case. Depending on the suspected diagnosis and preliminary findings, special examinations may follow. These may include further blood tests or orthopedic examinations. However, X-ray examinations, CT (computer tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), EEG (electroencephalography) or ENG (electroneurography) may also be necessary. In some cases, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing or various allergy tests are also performed to get to the bottom of the causes of the tingling.
Complications
Tingling on the skin can be both harmless and a symptom of a more serious condition. It often occurs together with numbness. Among other things, tingling is harmless when it occurs after warming up cold hands or feet. Since blood vessels contract when cooled, the above-mentioned paresthesias occur during the warming-up process as a result of initially reduced blood flow. However, when tingling and numbness become chronic, a more serious condition such as arteriosclerosis, diabetes, or central nervous system disease may sometimes be suspected as the cause. As a sequelae of severe diabetes, tingling together with numbness may develop into the so-called diabetic foot syndrome.In the course of this syndrome, the blood supply to the foot deteriorates and tissue may even die. The foot turns black. Often the only last option is amputation. Sudden tingling and numbness associated with unilateral body paralysis are often signs of a stroke. Tingling and numbness also often occur with severe burns, poisoning, medication use (heart medications, chemotherapy medications), or anxiety disorders. Tingling in the legs may indicate the onset of multiple sclerosis. Parkinson’s disease, epilepsies, brain tumors, and immune responses to cancer can also be associated with tingling and numbness. Most often, tingling is a result of underlying diseases. However, it can also be a cause of sleep disturbances and mental illness if chronic.
When should you see a doctor?
Prolonged tingling should always be clarified by a doctor. It is possible that a serious illness underlies the symptoms or that it is a harmless nerve irritation that can be alleviated by self-measures. Especially if the tingling occurs abruptly and for no apparent reason, a visit to the doctor is recommended. The same applies to sensory disturbances that occur repeatedly and are accompanied by intense insensations. This is especially true if the tingling is accompanied by certain alarm signs such as pain, visual disturbances, nausea or dizziness. Tingling with signs of paralysis indicates a severe nerve disorder that must be treated quickly to avoid further complications. Patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 or another disease should always have changes in the body surface clarified. An emergency physician must be called in if sudden numbness and paralysis are added to the sensory disturbances. Corresponding complaints can occur on one side of the arm, leg or face and indicate a stroke. Sometimes other damage to the upper spinal cord or the brain underlies the complaints. In any case, it is advisable to respond immediately and call the emergency services.
Treatment and therapy
Tingling does not always require specific treatment. Often, the causes are harmless and the tingling passes within a short time, even without medical treatment. A longer lasting discomfort should always be clarified and treated by the doctor. The therapy always depends on the causal disease. With every treatment, the healing or alleviation of the underlying disease is in the foreground. Many underlying diseases can be treated with medication. These include, for example, bacterial infections and restless legs syndrome. Surgical interventions may also be necessary for some underlying diseases. Herniated discs and tumor diseases are typical conditions that usually require surgical treatment. Medications can also trigger tingling as a side effect. In this case, the doctor will check whether the unpleasant tingling can be avoided by taking a different medication. However, under no circumstances should a medication simply be discontinued without the doctor’s instruction. The range of treatment methods is as varied as the causes of tingling can be.
Outlook and prognosis
In many cases, tingling occurs only temporarily in certain parts of the body and is accompanied by a feeling of numbness. In these cases, the tingling is harmless and does not cause further discomfort. It is caused by pinched nerves. Tingling is also harmless if it occurs due to cold and the respective body part is abruptly warmed up afterwards. It is not uncommon for the tingling to occur in diabetes and can damage the extremities. This can lead to reduced blood flow to the feet. As a result, tissue dies. In the worst case, the foot must be amputated. If tingling occurs with severe paralysis, it is a sign of stroke. In this case, urgent treatment by a doctor is necessary. If the tingling occurs due to a wrong diet, a healthy and varied diet with lots of vitamins will help. Medical treatment is necessary only in severe cases. Its success depends strongly on the cause of the tingling. In a few cases, the tingling in the body parts occurs after taking a certain medication.In this case, a physician should be consulted to discontinue the medication or replace it with another.
Prevention
Some triggers of tingling can already be avoided by preventive measures. For example, poor lifestyle and eating habits often lead to deficiency symptoms. A balanced diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals protects against vitamin, iron or magnesium deficiencies. Stress and psychological strain also sometimes trigger unpleasant insensitivities of the skin nerves. In these cases, more exercise and conscious stress management can be helpful.
This is what you can do yourself
For tingling in the hands, feet and other parts of the body, a healthy lifestyle is elementary. Above all, this includes physical exercise. Sports strengthen the muscles and relieve tingling sensations. It also improves blood circulation. Recommended activities include swimming, relaxation exercises and/or yoga to reduce tension. Individuals with tingling sensations should not remain in the same posture for too long, whether sitting or standing. If tingling occurs during sleep, the sleeping position should be changed. Pillows can be used to elevate the legs. Tight clothing or synthetic materials should also be avoided, as they inhibit blood circulation. Especially after sitting for a long time, people with tingling sensations should walk a few steps. It makes sense to stand on the tips of the feet and then return to the normal position. This exercise should be repeated about ten times and done every evening before sleeping to stimulate blood circulation. For tingling, massage or vigorous rubbing of the affected area may also help. [[Iron deficiency] may cause tingling. Lentils, egg, walnuts, beet, milk, beans, peas and leafy greens such as chard or spinach are particularly recommended for tingling and for iron deficiency. Alcohol and coffee should be avoided after dinner. Likewise, lavish or heavy meals in the evening should be avoided.
