Pins and Needles (parathesia)
Pins and needles, known medically as paraesthesia, is an uncomfortable prickling, tingling or numb feeling, usually in your arms, hands, legs or feet.
Worried about your symptoms? Talk to a doctor.
Book a GP appointmentWhat causes pins and needles?
By far the most common cause is pressure on a nerve, usually from sitting, lying or leaning on part of your body for too long, such as sitting cross-legged or sitting on your foot. This cuts off the blood supply to the nerve for a short time, and the feeling goes away once you move and the blood supply returns. Pins and needles that lasts longer, or keeps coming back, can be linked to an underlying condition, including:
- Diabetes
- A trapped or pinched nerve, such as in carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica or a slipped disc
- Raynaud's phenomenon, where the blood flow to your fingers or toes is temporarily reduced, leading to colour change and reduced temperature
- Multiple sclerosis
- Hyperventilating, or breathing too quickly
- Vitamin B12 deficiency, which can lead to nerve damage (particularly in older people, vegans, or people with a condition called pernicious anaemia.
It can also be caused by some medicines, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, toxic substances such as lead, a poor diet or drinking too much alcohol.
Are there different types of pins and needles?
Pins and needles are generally grouped into two types:
- Temporary (occasional) pins and needles – caused by pressure on a nerve, settling within minutes once the pressure is removed; this is the type almost everyone experiences from time to time
- Chronic (long-lasting) pins and needles – happens frequently over a longer period, and is more often linked to an underlying condition that needs medical attention.
How is pins and needles diagnosed?
Your GP will usually ask about your medical history and examine you, and may ask you to keep a diary of when your pins and needles happens and what you were doing at the time. Blood tests to determine the underlying cause may be considered. These could include screening for diabetes, vitamin B12 deficiency or inflammatory disorders.
If a cause isn't clear, or your symptoms are ongoing, you may be referred for tests such as nerve conduction studies, which measure how electrical signals travel through your nerves, or an electromyogram (EMG), which checks how your muscles respond to electrical signals using a small needle electrode inserted into the muscle.
How is pins and needles treated?
If your pins and needles is caused by pressure on a nerve, simply changing position, loosening tight clothing or shoes, or getting up and moving the affected limb is usually all you need. Taking regular breaks if you sit for long periods, and avoiding repetitive movements or heavy lifting, can help stop it happening as often.
If it's linked to an underlying condition, treatment will focus on that condition. For example, this might mean medicines to help control your blood glucose levels if you have diabetes, treatment to manage multiple sclerosis, or vitamin B12 supplements if a deficiency is found. Symptoms caused by heavy alcohol use often improve once you cut down or stop drinking.
When should you see a doctor?
See a GP if you constantly have pins and needles, or if it keeps coming back.
Get urgent medical help if pins and needles comes on suddenly alongside a loss of power or strength down one side of your body, as this can be a sign of a stroke and needs checking straight away.
FAQs
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Why do my hands or feet 'fall asleep'?
This usually happens when you put pressure on a nerve or blood vessel for too long, often by sitting, lying or leaning on part of your body. The pressure cuts off the nerve's blood supply for a short time, and the tingling feeling you notice is the sensation returning once you move and the blood flow comes back.
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Can diabetes cause pins and needles?
Yes. Diabetes can cause pins and needles, pain or numbness, often in your hands and feet, if it affects your nerves over time. Keeping your blood glucose levels well controlled can help ease these symptoms.
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Can pins and needles be a sign of a vitamin deficiency?
Yes, a lack of vitamin B12 can lead to nerve damage and cause pins and needles. This is more common in older people, vegans, and people with a condition called pernicious anaemia, which affects how the body absorbs B12.
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Can anxiety cause pins and needles?
Yes. Breathing too quickly, such as during a panic attack or a bout of anxiety, can cause pins and needles alongside trembling hands. This usually settles once your breathing returns to normal.
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Is pins and needles a sign of a stroke?
It can be, particularly if it comes on suddenly together with a loss of power or strength down one side of your body. This combination needs urgent medical attention, so call 999 if it happens.