Causes of numbness
What Causes Tingling in Hands and Feet? Common Causes Explained
What causes tingling in hands and feet? Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S. Low B12 and other vitamin shortfalls, alcohol use, injury, some medicines, infections and other health problems are on the list too. Sometimes no cause is found. See a doctor first.
- Diabetesthe leading cause in the U.S.
- 6 groupsof common causes below
- Doctorfirst, not a supplement
- 911for sudden one-sided weakness
Written by the Flow Nerves label deskUpdated
The causes
What causes tingling in hands and feet?
Tingling in the hands and feet is often a sign of peripheral neuropathy, which means damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Diabetes is the leading cause in the U.S. (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy).
NINDS says about two thirds of people with diabetes have mild to severe nerve problems, which can cause numb, tingling or burning feet (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy). Mayo Clinic lists diabetes and metabolic syndrome as the most common causes, then low B vitamins, copper and vitamin E, alcohol use disorder, toxins, some medicines, infections, autoimmune and inherited conditions, and kidney, liver or thyroid disease (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
- DiabetesThe leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S.; about two thirds of people with diabetes have nerve problems of some degree. (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy) (ADA, Neuropathy and diabetes)
- A vitamin shortfallB vitamins, copper and vitamin E matter to nerves. With low B12, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet can occur. (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy) (NIH ODS, Vitamin B12)
- AlcoholAlcohol use disorder can damage nerves directly and by lowering vitamins. (Cleveland Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy) (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy)
- Injury or pressureA crush, a fracture, a slipped disk or repeated pressure on a nerve can all cause symptoms. (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy) (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy)
- MedicinesSome medicines, especially chemotherapy, can cause peripheral neuropathy. (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy)
- Other health problemsInfections such as shingles, autoimmune conditions, kidney, liver or thyroid disease, and inherited conditions are on the list. Sometimes no cause is found. (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy) (MedlinePlus, Peripheral nerve disorders)
Sometimes no cause is found. That does not mean nothing can be done. It means a clinician has more to check.
The feet
What causes numbness in the feet in particular?
The feet are often first because their nerves are the longest. The CDC says nerve damage from diabetes usually starts in the feet, with tingling or pins and needles, pain at night, numbness or weakness (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage).
Numb feet can also come from a pinched nerve in the back, an injury, or pressure from a tight shoe. Alcohol use disorder can damage nerves directly and by lowering vitamins (Cleveland Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy). Each cause needs a different fix, and a supplement cannot sort them out.
| Cause | What a clinician can check |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | Blood sugar. The ADA says keeping glucose on target is your best line of defense (ADA, Neuropathy and diabetes). |
| Low vitamin B12 | A blood test. A shortfall can cause numbness and tingling in the hands and feet (NIH ODS, Vitamin B12). |
| Alcohol | Alcohol use and vitamin levels. |
| Injury or pressure | A physical exam and, if needed, nerve tests. |
| Medicines | Your medicine list. Chemotherapy is a known cause (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy). |
Warning signs
When is numbness an emergency?
Numbness is an emergency when it comes on suddenly on one side of the body, or with trouble speaking, chest pain or trouble breathing. Call 911 right away.
Other signs need a doctor soon. Mayo Clinic says to seek medical care right away for tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet, because early diagnosis gives the best chance of managing the cause (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy). People with diabetes should also call about a foot sore that will not heal.
- Sudden weakness or numbness on one side, trouble speaking, chest pain, trouble breathingThese can signal an emergency. Do not wait.Call 911
- Swelling of the lips, face or throat, hives, or trouble breathing after a supplementAllergic reactions to butcher's broom can be serious, WebMD says. Stop and call 911.Call 911
- Confusion, shaking, sweating or a very fast heartbeat if you take diabetes medicineThese can be signs of low blood sugar, and very low blood sugar needs treatment right away, NIDDK says.Call 911
- New tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feetMayo Clinic says to seek medical care right away. Early diagnosis gives the best chance of managing symptoms.See a doctor
- A foot sore that is infected or will not healCDC lists it among the reasons to call your doctor if you have diabetes.See a doctor
- Falls, lost coordination or muscle weaknessMayo Clinic lists them as symptoms to have checked.See a doctor
- Burning, tingling or pain that disrupts your day or your sleepCDC says to call your doctor, and to keep notes on the symptoms to share.See a doctor
- Changes in digestion, urination or sexual function, dizziness or faintingCDC lists these with nerve damage in people with diabetes.See a doctor
Signs from (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy) and (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage). This list is not complete, and a supplement is never a reason to wait.
Your visit
How do you prepare for a doctor visit?
Write down your symptoms, when they started and everything you take. A clear note helps the doctor look for the cause. The CDC suggests keeping notes on symptoms to share (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage).
Tick what applies below and copy the note. Bring your medicines and supplements, with the bottles, so the doctor and pharmacist can check them.
A note-taking aid, not a test. CDC suggests keeping notes on symptoms to share with your doctor (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage), and Mayo Clinic says to seek medical care right away for tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
Supplements
Where do supplements fit in?
Supplements come after the cause is found, not before. NIH says most studies of one nerve ingredient, alpha lipoic acid, are limited and reach no clear conclusions (NCCIH, Diabetes and supplements).
Flow Nerves is a dietary supplement with six named ingredients and no printed milligrams. This site makes no claim that it helps with any cause of numbness. See our guide on whether nerve supplements work and the ingredients page.
Keep taking prescribed medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before you add any supplement, especially with diabetes medicine, blood thinners or blood pressure medicine (NCCIH, Using supplements wisely).
FAQ
Flow Nerves questions people ask
What is the most common cause of tingling feet?
Diabetes. Cleveland Clinic says the most common cause of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes (Cleveland Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy), and NINDS calls it the leading cause in the U.S. (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy). Other causes include vitamin shortfalls, alcohol, injury and some medicines.
Can low vitamin B12 cause numb hands and feet?
Yes. NIH says with B12 deficiency, neurological changes such as numbness and tingling in the hands and feet can occur (NIH ODS, Vitamin B12). A blood test can check your level. Ask your doctor before you treat yourself with supplements.
Why do my feet tingle at night?
The CDC lists pain or sensitivity, especially at night, among the signs of diabetes-related nerve damage (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage). Other causes exist, such as pressure on a nerve. Night tingling that disrupts your sleep deserves a call to your doctor.
Can medicines cause numbness and tingling?
Yes. Mayo Clinic says some medicines, especially chemotherapy, can cause peripheral neuropathy (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy). Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own. Tell your doctor about new tingling, and bring your medicine list.
Is tingling in the hands and feet always neuropathy?
No. A pinched nerve, a tight shoe, low B12 or a sleeping position can cause it. Peripheral neuropathy is one cause. Because many causes exist, a doctor should look, especially when it spreads or comes with weakness (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
Does numbness in the feet go away on its own?
Sometimes, if the cause is brief pressure. But it may not if the cause is ongoing, such as high blood sugar. NINDS notes that in some cases controlling blood sugar may prevent progression (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy). Ask a doctor, since early checks matter.
Can a supplement fix numb feet?
No source we read says so. Numbness has many causes, and a supplement cannot sort them out. Mayo Clinic says to seek medical care right away for tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the brand panels 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 U.S. stocking partner for Flow Nerves. It is not the manufacturer or a distributor named on the label. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
More about Flow Nerves
U.S. Stocking Partner for Flow Nerves
Ready to try Flow Nerves?
Check your medicines first with the Switchboard, especially diabetes medicine, blood thinners and blood pressure medicine, and see a doctor about new numbness or tingling, then pick a pack. On the seller's count one bottle is 30 days; 3 bottles cover 90 days and 6 cover 180.
- Pay at the seller checkout
- 60-day guarantee
- Ships from the U.S. with tracking
