Before any supplement
When to See a Doctor for Numbness and Tingling in Hands and Feet
See a doctor when you notice new numbness, tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet. Mayo Clinic says to seek medical care right away, because early diagnosis gives the best chance of managing the cause. Call 911 for sudden weakness on one side, trouble speaking, chest pain or trouble breathing. A supplement such as Flow Nerves is not a checkup.
- Right awayfor new tingling, per Mayo Clinic
- Diabetesthe leading cause in the U.S.
- 911for sudden one-sided weakness
- 1 noteto bring to your visit
Written by the Flow Nerves label deskUpdated
The short answer
When should you see a doctor for numbness and tingling?
See a doctor as soon as you notice tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet that is new. Mayo Clinic says to seek medical care right away, because early diagnosis gives the best chance of managing the cause (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
That advice does not wait for the symptom to get worse. Numbness in the hands and feet has many possible causes, from diabetes to low vitamin levels to a pinched nerve. A doctor can ask questions, examine you and order tests. A supplement cannot do any of that.
This guide is general information from public health sources. It is not a diagnosis, and it does not replace a visit. The label of Flow Nerves says only NERVE SUPPORT*, and this site does not claim that it helps any symptom.
| What you notice | What to do |
|---|---|
| New numbness, prickling or tingling in the hands or feet | See a doctor soon (Mayo Clinic: right away). |
| Pain that is sharp, throbbing or burning | See a doctor soon. |
| Weakness, falls or lost coordination | See a doctor soon. |
| Sudden weakness on one side, trouble speaking | Call 911 now. |
Red flags
Which emergency signs mean call 911?
Call 911 for sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, chest pain, trouble breathing, fainting, or swelling of the face or throat. Do not wait for a supplement or a phone call to help.
The cards below sort the signs into two groups: act now, and see a doctor soon. The second group comes from Mayo Clinic and CDC. CDC says to call your doctor about burning, tingling, weakness or pain that disrupts daily activities or sleep, and about a foot sore that is infected or will not heal (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage).
- 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.
If you take diabetes medicine and feel shaky, sweaty, confused or have a very fast heartbeat, that may be low blood sugar. NIDDK says very low blood sugar needs treatment right away (NIDDK, Low blood glucose).
Why it happens
What can cause numbness and tingling in the hands and feet?
Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S., and about two thirds of people with diabetes have nerve problems of some degree (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy). Many other causes exist, and sometimes none is found.
Peripheral neuropathy means damage to the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Mayo Clinic lists low B vitamins, copper and vitamin E, alcohol use disorder, toxins, some medicines (especially chemotherapy), infections, autoimmune and inherited conditions, kidney, liver or thyroid disease, and injuries or pressure (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
Some causes can be checked with a blood test. That is why a visit matters before you reach for a supplement. If a cause is found, treating that cause is the point. See the causes guide for more.
- 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)
Your visit
How do you prepare for the visit?
Write down your symptoms, when they started, and every medicine and supplement you take. CDC says to keep notes on symptoms to share with your doctor (CDC, Diabetes and nerve damage).
Tick what applies below. The tool builds a short note you can copy and bring. It includes a reminder to take a photo of the bottle's label, including the lot.
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).
Good questions to ask: What could be causing this? Which tests do I need? Do any of my medicines cause it? Is it safe to add a supplement given my medicines?
Supplements
Should you take a nerve supplement before the visit?
It is better to see the doctor first. A supplement does not look for the cause, and it may interact with a medicine you take.
No study of Flow Nerves exists in our sources. Some of its six single ingredients have been studied, mostly in people with diabetes and at doses the label does not print. NCCIH says that for most supplements there is no evidence of a benefit on diabetes or its complications (NCCIH, Diabetes and supplements).
If your doctor says a supplement is fine for you, follow the bottle: adults 18 and older, one capsule daily with a meal. Ask first if you are pregnant or nursing, or take diabetes medicine, a blood thinner, blood pressure medicine, thyroid medicine, antibiotics or seizure medicine. The who it is for page has a nine question check, and the side effects page lists cautions for each name.
Keep taking prescribed medicine exactly as directed. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every supplement. Tell your surgeon well before any surgery (NCCIH, Using supplements wisely).
FAQ
Flow Nerves questions people ask
How long should tingling last before I see a doctor?
Do not wait. Mayo Clinic says to seek medical care right away if you notice tingling, weakness or pain in your hands or feet. Early diagnosis gives the best chance of managing the cause (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
Is numbness in both feet a sign of diabetes?
It can be. Diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S. (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy). Other causes exist, so only a doctor can say. A blood test can check your blood sugar and vitamin levels.
Can low vitamin B12 cause tingling feet?
Yes. NIH says that 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 B12, and a doctor can advise.
What are the emergency signs of numbness?
Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, chest pain and trouble breathing can signal an emergency. Call 911 and do not wait.
Which doctor should I see for numb hands and feet?
Start with your primary care doctor. Specialists such as a neurologist or a podiatrist may follow. Bring your notes, your medicine list and the label of any supplement.
Can a supplement make numbness go away?
No source we read says so for Flow Nerves. Numbness has causes that a doctor can check, and treating the cause is the goal. Do not use a supplement to delay the visit.
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.
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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.
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