Guide
What Causes Numbness and Tingling in the Hands and Feet?
Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet have many causes. Diabetes is the most common, and low vitamin B12, some medicines, alcohol misuse, injury, infection, autoimmune conditions, spine problems and inherited disorders also appear on the lists from NINDS, NIDDK and Mayo Clinic. A doctor has to find the cause, because care depends on it. No supplement is a substitute for that check.
Written by the Nervecept label deskUpdated
The short answer01
What are the most common causes of numbness and tingling?
Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy. After that come vitamin deficiencies, medicines, alcohol misuse, injury, infection and inherited disorders.
Peripheral neuropathy is the name for damage to the nerves that link the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Sensory damage can cause pain, tingling and reduced ability to feel touch, especially in the hands or feet, and the pain is often worse at night 1.
- DiabetesThe leading cause in the U.S. (NINDS). About one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy (NIDDK). 1 2
- Low vitamin B12Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet can occur, even without anemia, and can take years to show. Older adults and people on metformin or acid reducers are at higher risk. 3 4
- Medicines and toxinsMayo and Cleveland Clinic list certain medicines, chemotherapy in particular, and toxin exposure. 5 6
- Injury or repeated motionNerve injuries or repeated motions, and poor blood flow, are named by Mayo and NINDS. 5 1
- Infection and autoimmune diseaseShingles, Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions are listed as causes. 5 6
- Alcohol and other causesAlcohol use disorder, kidney or liver disorders and inherited conditions; sometimes no cause is found. 5 1
Diabetes02
Why does diabetes cause numbness and tingling?
High blood glucose and high blood fats can damage nerves over time. About one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy 2.
It typically starts in the feet and legs. Symptoms range from pain and numbness in the feet to problems with internal organs 2. That is why people with diabetes are asked to check their feet daily and keep their glucose in range. Glucosamine, one of the ingredients in Nervecept, carries a caution for diabetes from MSK 7, so ask your care team before starting any supplement.
Persistent numbness or tingling is a reason to ask for a glucose check, whatever your age.
Vitamin B1203
Can low vitamin B12 cause numbness and tingling?
Yes. Neurological changes such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet can occur with B12 deficiency, even without anemia, and may take years to appear 3.
| Group | Why |
|---|---|
| Older adults | Absorption falls with age 3 |
| Vegetarians and vegans | B12 comes mainly from animal foods 3 |
| People on metformin | Linked with lower B12 3 |
| People on acid-reducing medicines | Less stomach acid, less absorption 4 |
High folic acid intake may mask a B12 deficiency 4. A blood test can check your level. Nervecept's panel lists no vitamin, so it does not address this cause.
Other causes04
What else can cause nerve symptoms in the hands and feet?
Medicines, toxins, alcohol, injury, infection, autoimmune disease, spine problems and inherited conditions.
Injury and pressure
Repeated motions, a trapped nerve or poor blood flow can cause symptoms 5.
Infection and immune disease
Shingles, Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions are listed 5.
Spine problems that press on a nerve root can cause numbness or pain that runs down an arm or leg. Sciatica is one such pattern. It has its own causes and its own care, and a clinician can tell it apart from other kinds of nerve trouble. In some people, no cause is found 1.
Nervecept: from $49 a bottle30 capsules · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 and 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsWhy the cause matters05
Why does the cause matter more than any supplement?
Because treatment depends on the cause, and some types can be stopped or reversed when found early 6.
NINDS lists diabetes management, immunotherapies and prescribed pain medicines among care options, depending on the type of nerve damage 1. A capsule that is sold for "nerve comfort" does not address a low B12 level, a glucose problem or a pinched nerve. If it delays the visit that would have found one, it can cost you time you cannot get back.
The sources we read show no benefit of Nervecept's ingredients for nerve symptoms. See does Nervecept work for the claim-by-claim check.
Patterns06
What patterns of symptoms can a doctor learn from?
Where it is, how it spreads and when it comes help point to a cause. Describe them as exactly as you can.
- Both feet, starting at the toes and creeping upward: often a body-wide cause such as diabetes or a vitamin deficiency.
- One hand or one leg, with pain that shoots along a line: often a nerve pressed at one spot, such as in the spine or wrist.
- Worse at night, or when you sit still: common in peripheral neuropathy 1.
- Sudden, one-sided, with weakness or a drooping face: an emergency, not a pattern to watch 8.
These are general patterns, not a way to diagnose yourself. A person with the same pattern can have a different cause, and only an exam and tests can tell. Keep a short log of what you notice and bring it with you.
What to do07
What should you do about numbness or tingling?
Book a visit. Do not wait for it to pass, and do not guess the cause.
- Mayo says to seek medical care right away if you notice tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet 5.
- Write down when it began, where it is and what you take.
- Keep taking prescribed medicine as directed.
- Call 911 for sudden numbness or weakness on one side, a drooping face, trouble speaking or seeing, or a severe sudden headache 8.
Bring the log, the medicine list and, if you can, a photo of any skin change on the feet or hands. A clear record lets the doctor decide faster which tests to order, and it saves you from repeating the story at each visit. It also shows whether things are getting better, staying the same or getting worse.
Read when to see a doctor for numbness for the full list of signs.
FAQ08
Nervecept questions people ask
What is the most common cause of numbness in the feet?
Diabetes is the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy, per NINDS 1. Low B12, medicines and injury follow.
Can a vitamin deficiency cause tingling?
Yes. Low vitamin B12 can, even without anemia, and it may take years to appear 3.
Is tingling in the hands always nerve damage?
No. Posture, pressure on a nerve and other causes can do it. A clinician can tell which.
Can a supplement fix neuropathy?
No source we read shows that. Care depends on the cause 1.
Is it worse at night?
Pain from peripheral neuropathy is often worse at night 1. Tell your doctor if it wakes you.
Which doctor should I see?
Start with your primary care clinician, who can test for common causes and refer you to a neurologist, a podiatrist or another specialist.
Who wrote this09
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site for a USA Authorized Nervecept Retailer. It is not the manufacturer or the distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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