Numbness, tingling and altered sensation

Overview

Brief pins and needles can follow pressure on a body part, but persistent or recurring altered sensation deserves assessment. People use numbness to mean several things: reduced feeling, prickling, burning or a limb that feels unfamiliar. Describing the actual experience is more useful than choosing a diagnosis.

The location, onset and associated symptoms help determine what needs checking. Some nerve conditions affect hands or feet, while other patterns may relate to an individual nerve or the spine. Weakness, balance changes or a foot injury that is difficult to feel add important information and should not be overlooked.

By telephone

A telephone discussion can map the affected area and establish whether symptoms are constant, intermittent, spreading or related to a position. Explain whether both sides are affected and whether pain, weakness or clumsiness accompanies the change. Mention relevant health conditions, injuries and previous investigations.

Describe the practical effects: dropping objects, difficulty fastening clothing, uncertainty underfoot or reduced awareness of an injury. You do not need to test sensation with sharp objects or heat before the conversation. The aim is to clarify the history and the appropriate next assessment, not to perform a nerve examination yourself.

What cannot be done remotely

A clinician may need to examine sensation, strength, reflexes, coordination and circulation. Tests may follow depending on the pattern. A telephone description cannot confirm neuropathy, identify a particular trapped nerve or exclude a more serious cause.

Sudden changes are different from a stable longstanding symptom. New facial or limb weakness and speech difficulty need emergency assessment even if they improve. Numbness associated with back pain and changes in bladder, bowel or genital sensation also needs urgent attention rather than a routine discussion about pins and needles.

What to prepare

• Describe the exact area affected and when the change began.
• Note whether symptoms vary with posture, activity or time.
• Mention weakness, balance problems, injuries and skin changes.
• Have details of relevant conditions and previous assessments available.

Sources

• NHS: Pins and needles
• NHS: Peripheral neuropathy symptoms
• NHS: Stroke symptoms
• NHS: Back pain

Related guides

• Back and neck pain
• Tremor and shaking
• Joint pain, swelling and stiffness