Brief overview
- Causes of tingling: e.g. pinching or constriction of a nerve (e.g. herniated disc, carpal tunnel syndrome), magnesium deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, cold sores, contact allergy, rhinitis, restless legs syndrome, varicose veins, Raynaud’s syndrome, migraine, fibromyalgia, stroke, etc.
- Tingling – when do you need to see a doctor? If the tingling is new and occurs for no apparent reason, recurs frequently, worsens, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as paralysis
Tingling: What’s behind it?
Often, the causes of tingling are harmless, for example, “fallen asleep” legs after prolonged squatting. The annoying symptom then disappears on its own after a short time. Sometimes, however, there is a disease behind it, which may require treatment.
Below you will find the most common causes of tingling – separated by affected body region:
Tingling in arms, fingers, hands
- Constriction of the median nerve of the hand: This carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve of the hand (middle arm nerve) is pinched in the carpal tunnel, a narrow passage in the area of the wrist. This often triggers pain, tingling and/or numbness in the fingertips (exception: little finger) and possibly also in the palm and forearm. Affected persons often wake up at night with their hand “asleep”.
- Elbow dislocation: If the elbow hurts severely, swells and can no longer be moved after a fall on the outstretched arm, an elbow dislocation is probably present. In some cases, it also triggers numbness or tingling in the forearm or hand.
- Magnesium deficiency: An undersupply of the mineral magnesium can cause muscle cramps, tingling in the hands and feet, and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Excess potassium: Too much potassium in the blood can cause, among other things, sensations such as tingling in the feet and hands as well as muscle weakness and impair breathing.
Tingling in toes, legs
- “Falling asleep” feet/legs: After lying or sitting awkwardly for a long time (e.g., cross-legged or with the leg folded under), the “pinched” part of the body may feel numb and tingle due to pressure on nerves and vessels. As with the “fallen asleep” arm (see above), this is usually harmless and disappears on its own after a few minutes, or at the latest after a few hours.
- Constriction of the tibial nerve (tarsal tunnel syndrome): In this case, the tibial nerve is pinched in its course through the tarsal canal (formed by the ankle bone, heel bone and inner ankle). This can be the case, for example, after an injury to the ankle or foot. Symptoms include numbness, tingling and/or pain at the inner edge of the foot, especially at night and with exertion. Sometimes the pain radiates to the sole of the foot and calf.
- Varicose veins (varicose veins): Feeling of heaviness, pain, itching and/or tingling in the leg – more precisely in the lower leg – can be caused by varicose veins.
- Herniated disc: A tingling or numbness sensation around the anus or on the leg can be caused by a herniated disc. In addition, this often results in pain, muscle weakness or paralysis in an arm or leg with back pain.
- Pantothenic acid deficiency: The vitamin pantothenic acid is contained in almost all foods, which is why a deficiency rarely occurs. But when it does, the deficiency manifests itself in gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, numbness, and tingling and stabbing pains in the feet, among other symptoms.
Tingling in the face
- Rhinitis: With the onset of colds and allergic rhinitis, itching and tingling in the head or nose can occur in addition to runny nose, sneezing and impeded nasal breathing. The same applies to the so-called vasomotor rhinitis, which can be caused by cold, alcohol, hot drinks, stress or excessive use of nasal drops.
- Cold sore (herpes simplex): A herpes infection in the area of the lips manifests itself in a vesicle-like rash. Even before the blisters form, the infection is usually noticeable by a tingling or burning sensation on the lips.
- Panic attack: In some sufferers, a panic attack manifests itself, among other things, with a tingling sensation around the mouth – often accompanied by a tightness in the chest, rapid breathing and great anxiety.
Other causes of tingling
- Thoracic-outlet syndrome (TOS): the term encompasses all symptoms in which pressure in the upper chest damages or affects nerves or blood vessels. Possible signs of TOS include alternating pain, tingling and numbness on the outside of the shoulder, and often on the arm and hand. Certain movements and postures, such as turning the head or overhead activities, can trigger the symptoms.
- Fibromyalgia: This chronic pain disorder is manifested by deep muscle pain, often accompanied by stiffness, burning, tingling or numbness. The latter two symptoms often affect the back, chest, neck, arms and legs.
- Stroke: hemiplegic numbness, tingling in an arm or leg, possibly accompanied by paralysis may indicate a stroke.
Tingling: What to do?
- Dabbing: If a burning or tingling sensation on the lips heralds herpes blisters, you should react immediately. Proven home remedies include repeated dabbing of dried or fresh red wine, and poultices of oak bark, St. John’s wort, sage or witch hazel tea. Prepare such teas for herpes prevention twice as much as a tea to drink. For tingling on the lips, you can also apply propolis, mint essential oil or tea tree oil (diluted).
Home remedies have their limits. If the symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not get better or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
The concepts of Schüßler salts and homeopathy and their specific efficacy are controversial in science and not clearly proven by studies.
- Magnesium: If magnesium deficiency is behind the tingling, you should increase your intake of magnesium-rich foods such as whole grains, milk and dairy products, liver, poultry, fish, various vegetables and potatoes.
Tingling: When to see a doctor?
In most cases, tingling is harmless, such as in the case of “fallen asleep” limbs or as a harbinger of a mild cold. In the following cases of tingling, however, you should go to a doctor to have the cause clarified:
- persistent, frequently recurring or worsening tingling sensation
- tingling accompanied by other symptoms (e.g., numbness, muscle weakness or paralysis)
Tingling: What does the doctor do?
Various examinations can then confirm or dispel the suspicion. These include, for example:
- Physical examination: this is routine when patients come to the doctor with unclear tingling or other symptoms.
- Blood tests: A blood analysis can reveal, for example, a deficiency of magnesium or vitamin B12, but also an excess of potassium as a trigger of tingling.
- Imaging procedures: X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT) can be useful, for example, if a herniated disc, narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis) or epilepsy are suspected as triggers for the tingling. A special ultrasound procedure, Doppler sonography, is used to examine varicose veins more closely.
- Measurement of nerve conduction velocity: In electroneurography (ENG), the physician measures how quickly peripheral nerves (such as those in the arms or legs) transmit information. The result can indicate nerve damage that is causing the tingling (e.g., in polyneuropathy or carpal tunnel syndrome).
- Measurement of electrical muscle activity: Electromyography (EMG) measures the electrical activity of muscle fibers.
- Allergy test: If the doctor suspects a contact allergy behind the tingling, a so-called patch test (epicutaneous test) can bring certainty.
If the doctor was able to find out what triggers the tingling, he will suggest a suitable treatment if possible.
