Tingling in the hands

The Tingling in the hands very common when nerves are pinched or otherwise damaged. For the correct treatment, however, the causes that triggered the tingling in the hands must be found.

What is tingling in the hands?

The tingling in the hands is often portrayed by patients as feeling numb, as if thousands of ants are running over their hands.

Doctors refer to the tingling sensation in the hands as paresthesia. This is used to describe a discomfort that is not accompanied by pain.

The tingling sensation in the hands is also not caused by external stimuli. The tingling sensation in the hands is often portrayed by patients as feeling numb, as if thousands of ants are running over their hands. Often it is damage to the nerves that leads to this numbness.

They can occur once, recurring or even persist. In addition to numbness, other sensory disorders can be associated with the tingling sensation in the hands. Circulatory disorders and inflammation are common causes of tingling in the hands.

causes

There are many reasons for the tingling sensation in the hands, such as circulatory disorders and damage to the nerves. If a nerve is damaged, a nerve can be pinched and trigger tingling in the hands.

There is also the possibility that the nerves are not adequately supplied with the necessary nutrients and this leads to tingling in the hands. Examples of typical nerve damage are carpal tunnel syndrome, in which the carpal tunnel in the wrist is narrowed and pinches the nerves, or tendinitis. Additionally, damage to the spine can cause nerves to become pinched and tingling in the hands.

Other possible causes are diabetes, poisoning and excessive alcohol consumption, all of which lead to nerve damage and tingling in the hands. Less often there is only a tingling sensation in the left hand. In the worst case, this can be a harbinger of a heart attack. If the one-sided tingling occurs in the hands, the doctor should be consulted immediately.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for paresthesia and circulatory disorders

Diseases with this symptom

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Polyneuropathy

• Tendinitis
• Mouse arm (RSI syndrome)

• Diabetes mellitus
• Heart attack

Diagnosis & course

The diagnosis of tingling in the hands depends on the causes, so various examinations should be carried out to clarify the causes. Blood tests can provide initial information, but the X-ray examination should not be left out either.

All in all, all imaging diagnostic methods are possible to find the cause of the tingling sensation in the hands. The doctor can also measure the nerve conduction velocity for diagnosis. Interviewing the patient is also important. The aim here is to find out when the symptoms occur and whether all fingers, the entire hand or just individual areas are affected.

The course of the disease, i.e. how long the tingling in the hands has been occurring and whether it is reduced or increased by certain movements or behaviors, are also decisive. Only when the patient has answered all of these doctor's questions and the appropriate examinations have been carried out can a clear diagnosis of the tingling sensation in the hands be made.

Complications

Tingling in the hands is very uncomfortable and annoying. An attempt is often made to get rid of this disorder by shaking hands intensively, but sometimes the first signs or triggers of serious illnesses can be seen here.

Dangerous low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) can set in quickly in patients with diabetes. If those affected also suffer from advanced diabetic neuropathy (nerve disease), the tingling sensation is sometimes barely noticeable or only to a limited extent. If this sign is not recognized in time, it can lead to circulatory disorders, cramps and even loss of consciousness, which represent a life-threatening condition.

Furthermore, one-sided tingling of the hand suggests a circulatory disorder in the brain. A doctor should be consulted as soon as possible, as the occurrence is to be seen as a clear indication of a stroke. Especially the tingling on the left side, beginning in the hand and spreading over the half of the body, is a harbinger of a heart attack. Depending on your condition, you must go to the clinic immediately or alert the emergency doctor!

After hand surgery, most disorders heal after a while. Sometimes there are also complications that persist with injuries to the median nerve with numbness and tingling in the hands.

Insect bites are also very dangerous for allergy sufferers. For example, severe allergic reactions with nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath or shock can often develop after bee or wasp stings. The onset of an allergic reaction to insect venom is therefore evident immediately after contact with the insect through the typical tingling of the hands. In order to avoid a severe reaction course, a doctor should be consulted immediately. People with knowledge of their insect allergy must use their emergency kit immediately.

When should you see a doctor?

The sensation of tingling in your hands can have many causes. A brief tingling sensation in the hands is usually for harmless reasons. If the uncomfortable feeling recurs or lasts longer than a few days, a doctor should be consulted.

A common cause of tingling in the hands is carpal tunnel syndrome. This syndrome occurs more frequently when working in the office. This is because people who work with the computer often pinch a nerve. The syndrome also occurs after illnesses or injuries to the wrist.

Anyone suffering from diabetes can also develop diabetic nerve disorders. Medical treatment is necessary in order to improve the condition. The tingling sensation in the hands is not only due to a nervous disease due to diabetes. If the tingling is accompanied by a feeling of numbness, it may also be a primary nervous system disorder. Multiple sclerosis is a possible explanation in young people.

A tingling sensation in the hands can also have harmless causes. The majority of people have sensory disorders in their hands due to a lack of vitamin B1. This happens more often if the person has diabetes.

Doctors & therapists in your area

Treatment & Therapy

Anyone who feels a tingling sensation in their hands can initiate various treatment measures for it. Here, too, the correct therapy depends on the cause. In the case of pinched nerves, attempts are usually made to widen the constriction by doing stretching exercises and physiotherapy.

Warmth can also help with expansion. If such treatment fails to remove the tingling sensation in the hands, surgery will be needed to remove the constriction. If a herniated disc causes tingling in the hands, physiotherapy is the first choice here too. The aim is to actively straighten the spine. Exercises that strengthen the neck muscles can also be used specifically to eliminate the tingling sensation in the hands.

If these treatment measures do not work, the neurosurgeon can undertake an appropriate intervention. Then the intervertebral disc tissue that is pressing on the nerve is removed from it. A circulatory disorder in the brain can also be responsible for the tingling sensation in the hands. This is where neurologists and neurosurgeons try to use lysis therapy to correct the circulatory disorder.

The tingling in the hands can also be treated through the administration of vitamin B1 and a further optimized setting of the patient's blood sugar. In addition, light electrical impulses, such as those emitted by a TENS device, can help against tingling in the hands.

Outlook & forecast

In most cases, tingling in the hands is a harmless symptom. The tingling sensation in the hands often occurs especially when the hands are warmed up relatively quickly after a cold period. This can happen in winter, for example, when the hands are cold and are held in water that is too hot. The tingling sensation in the hands occurs even when nerves are temporarily pinched. This is where the typical feeling of numbness occurs. After a short time, the symptom disappears and does not lead to any further complaints or complications.

If you get tingling in your hands after an accident or if this occurs more and more frequently, a doctor must be consulted. These can be blood circulation disorders or nerve disorders. However, the symptom can be treated relatively well with the help of medication.

In some cases, the tingling sensation in the hands is caused by a mental disorder. Often it is also accompanied by mood swings and stress. In this case a psychologist can help.

The patient's life is limited by a persistent tingling sensation in the hands. Using the hands is then no longer possible without further ado, which reduces the quality of life.

You can find your medication here

➔ Medicines for paresthesia and circulatory disorders

prevention

To prevent tingling in your hands, it is advisable to eat a healthy and balanced diet. This should be as varied as possible and contain little cholesterol. You should also make sure you get enough exercise, especially if you mainly work while sitting.

This can prevent damage to the cervical spine, which can ultimately lead to tingling in the hands. The moderate consumption of alcohol and the avoidance of nicotine are also sensible measures to prevent tingling in the hands.

You can do that yourself

The reason for tingling in the hands and numbness at night is usually an awkward sleeping position. In these cases, blood flow is temporarily interrupted because the nerves have been crushed. As soon as the position is changed again, the extremities are supplied with normal blood and the feeling returns.

In some cases, however, the tingling sensation is due to an illness. Irritation can be caused, for example, by damage to the cervical spine. If the pain occurs frequently, a herniated disc in the cervical spine may be the cause. If the feeling of numbness lasts for several days, a doctor should always be consulted. In the majority of cases, a herniated disc in the cervical spine can be repaired without surgery. The affected intervertebral disc can be pushed back into its original position with physiotherapy. Anti-inflammatory injections aid treatment.

Nocturnal numbness in the hand and fingers can also be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. The pain occurs mainly on the inside of the thumb. Protection is the most important measure. A splint worn at night brings relief. The impairment can also be caused by inflammation of the nerves caused by viruses, environmental toxins or alcohol abuse. Rheumatism drugs can also cause symptoms like this. In all cases the cause must be eliminated. A nutritional deficiency is rarely the cause, but it can certainly happen with vegans. A blood count provides information.