Paresthesia refers to a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also
occur in other parts of the body. The sensation, which happens without warning, is usually painless and described as tingling
or numbness, skin crawling, or itching.
Most people have experienced temporary paresthesia -- a feeling of "pins and needles" -- at some time in their lives when
they have sat with legs crossed for too long, or fallen asleep with an arm crooked under their head. It happens when sustained
pressure is placed on a nerve. The feeling quickly goes away once the pressure is relieved.
Chronic paresthesia is often a symptom of an underlying neurological disease or traumatic nerve damage. Paresthesia can be
caused by disorders affecting the central nervous system, such as stroke and transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes), multiple
sclerosis, transverse myelitis, and encephalitis. A tumor or vascular lesion pressed up against the brain or spinal cord can
also cause paresthesia. Nerve entrapment syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can damage peripheral nerves and cause
paresthesia accompanied by pain. Diagnostic evaluation is based on determining the underlying condition causing the paresthetic
sensations. An individual's medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests are essential for the diagnosis. Physicians
may order additional tests depending on the suspected cause of the paresthesia.
Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892
NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.
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Last updated May 6, 2010