Gaby
We’ve all felt a limb or part of our body go numb at some point. That loss of sensation often shows up after you hold an awkward position for too long — like falling asleep with your arm under your head. In those cases the numbness is usually temporary and harmless. But sometimes numbness is a signal of something more serious. What does numbness in the fingers, toes, tongue, lips, or face mean? When should you be worried, and what can you do about it?
Symptoms and Causes
Numbness, or paresthesia, describes a change in sensation caused by problems in the peripheral nervous system. It can feel like tingling, a “pins and needles” sensation, weakness, or a reduced ability to feel in a specific area. Numbness can result from disrupted blood flow or impaired nerve impulse transmission. Often this happens when soft tissues are compressed by an awkward position, tight clothing, bracelets, or rings. In those cases, gentle stretching to restore normal blood flow can relieve the numbness.
Numbness in the limbs can also appear during a migraine attack or just before one and may come with other migraine symptoms. Mild tingling or partial loss of sensation can be linked to temperature changes, cold exposure, nervous strain, or physical overexertion from lifting weights above heart level or from prolonged repetitive tasks like knitting or typing. To relieve the symptom, address its cause, which in many cases means taking a short rest.
Circulatory problems — from narrowed arteries to thrombosis or embolism — can cause numbness in the hands and feet. Neurological issues can also be responsible: acute cerebral ischemia, various neuropathies, nervous system disorders, severe stress, or pathological anxiety. Numbness and muscle weakness in the arms and legs can follow spinal cord injuries, complications from those injuries, or muscle and joint trauma and swelling.
Doctors also point to alcohol, certain drugs, and toxins as potential causes of numbness in the fingers and toes. Exposure to chemicals or poisons can produce similar effects. Beyond intoxication, medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, and infections can provoke numbness.
Why Do Fingers and Toes Go Numb?
Fingers are the farthest reaches of the nervous and circulatory systems, so numbness there often means a “signal interruption” — a malfunction in those systems. Circulatory disturbances in the limbs can come from cardiovascular and endocrine diseases, vascular thrombosis, high blood sugar, joint inflammation, osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernias, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Numbness, weakness, and other neurological symptoms can also be caused by multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune condition that damages nerve cell membranes.
Compression neuropathy occurs when a nerve is pressed or pinched, causing muscle weakness, spasms, and loss of sensation. The most common example is carpal tunnel syndrome, where compression of the median nerve at the wrist affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers. Tingling, numbness, and pain can start mildly and progress to severe nighttime numbness and pain that over-the-counter medicines may not relieve.
Ulnar nerve syndrome at the elbow and anterior scalene muscle syndrome in the neck typically cause numbness in the ring and little fingers during the day. Compression of spinal nerve roots from radiculitis can produce numbness in the thumb and index finger, with pain that worsens with any neck movement. Tumors of the cervical vertebrae, osteonecrosis, or trauma can also cause loss of sensation in the hands, often accompanied by muscle pain and an inability to grip. Cervical and thoracic osteochondrosis are other common causes of limb numbness.
Multiple sclerosis can disrupt signal transmission from the brain and may cause numbness in the fingers or hands as an early sign. Other possible MS symptoms include short-term memory problems, dizziness, nausea, spasms, and changes in color perception. Peripheral neuropathy — disruption of nerve signal transmission in the peripheral nerves — can develop from limb thrombosis, infections, chronic alcohol use, type 2 diabetes, and deficiencies in vitamin E and B vitamins (particularly vitamin B12, which strongly affects sensation in the limbs).
Keeping It Under Control
Other causes of poor blood flow include pregnancy, Raynaud’s syndrome (which is linked to metabolic issues and is more common in women), spinal column pathology, or inflammation of the nerve plexus known as brachial plexitis. What should you do if your hands and feet go numb? Bend and straighten your fingers until sensation returns. Raise your hands above your head. Pay particular attention to tingling in the fingers of the left hand and numbness that runs from the shoulder to the fingertips — those may point to more serious problems.
Don’t assume every episode of numbness comes from simple nerve compression. Chest pain and left-hand numbness can be signs of angina, ischemia, a heart attack, or a stroke. Other warning signs of a vascular event include trouble coordinating movements, confusion, dizziness, severe headache, anxiety or panic, weakness, cold sweat, and changes in skin color. If numbness in the left hand — especially around the wrist and above — occurs along with these symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Numbness on one side of the face can also be a sign of a stroke. Call emergency services if facial numbness appears suddenly and is accompanied by generalized weakness or loss of sensation elsewhere. But facial numbness can have many causes. If the tongue goes numb and the lips lose sensitivity, the triggers may include anxiety, stress, migraines, medications, or deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals such as B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and calcium.
Causes of numbness in the tongue and lips include sudden spikes in blood pressure, diabetes, allergies, herpes, Bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis, cervical osteochondrosis, and acute vitamin B deficiency. When the tongue feels numb, include dairy products, fish, organ meats (like liver, heart, or kidneys), legumes, whole grains, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, spinach, nuts, tomatoes, and oranges in your diet, or take vitamin B supplements. Upper-lip numbness can stem from dental or neurological issues. In some anxiety-related disorders, short-term or persistent numbness of the lips and tongue can occur alone or along with numbness in other parts of the face.
Treatment and Prevention
Eliminating numbness means treating the underlying cause. For migraines, doctors may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers, anticonvulsants, or antidepressants. Treat osteochondrosis with muscle relaxants, physical therapy, massage, and therapeutic exercises. Eliminate harmful habits, change lifestyle factors, and improve your diet. Chronic sleep deprivation, a sedentary lifestyle, and poor nutrition can contribute to numbness in the hands, feet, and face by disrupting circulatory and nervous system function. Comprehensive diagnostics help uncover hidden conditions so a doctor can identify the cause of numbness in the fingers, tongue, or lips. The workup may include consultations with a primary care physician, neurologist, psychotherapist, cardiologist, rheumatologist, or endocrinologist. Diagnostic tests can include ultrasound of the blood vessels and peripheral nerves in the arms and legs, electrocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or X-rays. Doctors will also order hormone tests and complete blood and urine analyses. In the most complex cases, when numbness is caused by compression of nerve structures or other structural anomalies, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Treatment often involves anti-inflammatory injections, medications, and vitamin supplements. Doctors may recommend self-care measures such as hot and cold compresses or nerve stimulation techniques. Restore sensation, coordination, and muscle strength with massage, physical therapy, and therapeutic exercise. To help prevent numbness in the limbs and face, quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake, lose excess weight, adopt a healthier lifestyle, and monitor the health of your nervous and circulatory systems. Increase physical activity, avoid prolonged static positions, stay well hydrated, and eat a balanced diet.
Eliminate foods high in simple carbohydrates and excess salt and favor vegetables, fruits, greens, and legumes. Follow safety guidelines during heavy physical activity. Avoid overstraining your arms and legs and take steps to prevent injuries. Monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar regularly. Practice relaxation and meditation to manage stress. Get enough sleep and cultivate positive emotions — both are important for keeping your circulatory and nervous systems healthy and reducing the risk of numbness.
