Paresthesia commonly occurs when pressure is placed on your nerves for a prolonged period of time, such as when you sit on your legs or nap on your arm. Often described as a feeling of “pins and needles” after one of your appendages has gone numb, this sensation goes away when the pressure is relieved. However, cases of chronic paresthesia could be tied to underlying conditions such as a neurological disease or nerve damage.
Speak with a Bayhealth neurology expert about paresthesia.
Signs and Symptoms
While paresthesia can occur in any part of the body, it most often occurs in the hands, arms, legs or feet. Symptoms include the following uncomfortable sensations.
- Tingling
- Burning
- Itching
- Prickling
Additional symptoms—such as muscle weakness and sharp pain—could mean your paresthesia is caused by neuropathy (or nerve damage).
Risk Factors and Prevention
Cases of chronic paresthesia are often caused by underlying issues with your circulatory or central nervous system. Paresthesia can also develop due to metabolic, endocrine or autoimmune issues. The following conditions may lead to paresthesia.