While temporary tingling from sitting or sleeping awkwardly is harmless, frequent or constant paresthesia requires medical evaluation to rule out serious vascular or neurological causes.
What Causes Pins and Needles?
Pins and needles happen when a nerve experiences an alteration in sensation, creating a mild buzzing, electric feeling, or a partial to complete loss of feeling in an affected area of the body. Once a person moves from that position, sensation typically returns to normal.
However, when the sensation becomes frequent or constant, it can point to other physiological factors. Dr. Lucinda Shaw, a health assessment doctor at Nuffield Health, notes that some individuals are more prone to the sensation, including pregnant women experiencing changes in fluid levels and increased pressure on their nerves.
Circulatory Issues and Peripheral Nerve Health
Nerves require a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients to function properly. When blood flow is restricted, paresthesia can be a warning sign of poor circulation. Conditions contributing to reduced blood flow include varicose veins, obesity, blood clots, or the buildup of fat and plaque in the arteries.
When poor circulation is the root cause, Dr. Paul states it is usually accompanied by additional symptoms. These warning signs include cold hands or feet, pale or discolored skin, pain or heaviness in the legs when walking, slow-healing wounds, or a weak pulse in the lower extremities. Anyone noticing these combined symptoms should consult a general practitioner, who may order blood tests to determine the exact cause.
Raynaud’s disease—a condition affecting approximately 10 million people in the UK—is another circulatory trigger. Exposure to cold temperatures causes reduced blood flow to the fingers and toes, leading to numbness, tingling, pins and needles, and skin color changes to blue or white, according to Dr. Paul.
A numbing sensation in the arm or hand can signal carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition affecting roughly 14 percent of people in the UK, according to NICE. Risk factors include repetitive hand movements, the use of heavy vibrating power tools, and a history of diabetes or arthritis.
Dr. Paul explains that carpal tunnel syndrome involves a narrowing in the wrist that compresses the median nerve passing into the hand.
For mild cases, patients can attempt home management strategies. Dr. Paul recommends wearing a wrist splint at night to keep the wrist straight and relieve pressure on the nerve, alongside over-the-counter painkillers for discomfort. If symptoms persist for more than a few months without improvement, patients should schedule an appointment with their GP.