Numbness Tingling Common Symptom Descriptions:
- It feels like your skin is numb, tingling, or both.
- It can feel like a part of the skin or body has lost sensation .
- It can feel like your skin feels numb to the touch.
- It feels like your skin, muscle, or any part of the body has been frozen or anesthetized.
- It can also feel as if your skin, muscle, or body part has a numbing “crawly” sensation.
- Some people experience such numbness that even pricking the skin with a pin produces little pain and seemingly much less than usual.
- Your skin can feel numb to the touch or tingling under the surface, yet there are no visible marks of injury.
- This symptom can feel like you have peripheral neuropathy where the body part feels numb to the touch and is sensationless.
- This numb patch may be small or encompass many parts of the body, such as an arm, hand, finger, face, mouth, lips, tongue, leg, foot, or toe, or all of them.
This numb and tingling feeling can affect the skin or muscles in your arms, hands, fingers, toes, legs, feet, head, face, stomach, mouth, tongue, lips, or anywhere on or in the body.
This numb and tingling feeling can only affect one area, shift and affect another area or area, and migrate all over and affect many areas.
This common anxiety symptom can occur anywhere on or in the body and can affect all parts of the body or a part of a part. For instance, the entire tongue can feel numb or just part of the tongue, like the tip. Or, both lips can be affected or just part of a lip, and so on.
What Causes Limb Numbness
There are many causes of limb numbness. Usually its just because youve been sitting on one of your legs or sleeping on an arm and this has compressed the nerves that go to the area.
Many more serious conditions can also make your limbs go numb. These include:
- an injury, such as a herniated disc, compressing or injuring a nerve
Skin Numbness: Causes Symptoms Treatment
Have you ever felt like your skin was crawling, itching or had numbness for no specific reason probably, it was an indication that your body is attacked by Paraesthesia. Almost every person suffers this skin numbness at any stage of life, and it can be caused by various reasons. One of the most common moments when people actually observe this numbness in their body is when their legs and arms fall asleep, and they start observing some sense of needles and pins on their body. Experts say that this sensation occurs when you unknowingly put some pressure on a nerve in your body. The condition becomes normal when the pressure from that affected nerve is released with certain change in posture. Although, this type of paraesthesia is a temporary state of body and it becomes normal without any special treatment. But in case, if paraesthesia persists so long, it means you have the certain medical disorder, and it demands treatment.
There are two types of skin numbness in general the simple paraesthesia is a temporary condition that fades away automatically with time. However, the other, chronic version of paraesthesia takes much time to resolve. Below we have discussed common causes of skin numbness.
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Millions Of People Suffer From Venous Disease
Venous disease is a problem and on the rise in the United States. Estimates indicate that over 30 million people in the country are suffering from venous diseases. While only 0.015% percent of the people with this condition actually get treated for it.
Whether you are experiencing itchiness or numbness in your legs, stop and think for a second: is ignoring the issue really worth it?
Darker Area Of Skin That Feels Like Velvet
A dark patch of velvety skin on the back of your neck, armpit, groin, or elsewhere could mean that you have too much insulin in your blood. This is often a sign of prediabetes.The medical name for this skin condition is acanthosis nigricans.
Acanthosis Nigricans
Often causing darker skin in the creases of the neck, AN may be the first sign that someone has diabetes.
Take action
- Get tested for diabetes
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Outbreak Of Small Reddish
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though.
Eruptive-xanthomatosis
These bumps appear suddenly and clear promptly when diabetes is well-controlled.
When these bumps appear, they often look like pimples. Unlike pimples, they soon develop a yellowish color. Youll usually find these bumps on the buttocks, thighs, crooks of the elbows, or backs of the knees. They can form anywhere though. No matter where they form, they are usually tender and itchy. The medical name for this skin condition is eruptive xanthomatosis.
Take action
- Tell your doctor about the bumps because this skin condition appears when you have uncontrolled diabetes.
- Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes.
Dry Skin And Numbness Or Tingling
- Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Last Editorial Review: 10/9/2020
Many conditions that lead to sensations of numbness or tingling can be related to dry skin or may co-exist at the same time as dry skin. Injuries to the skin such as burns are one possible cause. Other potential causes can include problems with the nerves including multiple sclerosis and peripheral neuropathy. If you are experiencing these to other worrisome symptoms, seek the advice of your doctor.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
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When To Seek Help For Dry Skin Patches
You should contact a doctor if your dry skin becomes severe or doesnt go away. Its also a good idea to get checked out if you think your dry skin might be a sign of an underlying illness.
Seeking out early treatment for your skin condition may lead to a better outcome. The Healthline FindCare tool can provide options in your area if you dont already have a dermatologist.
When To See A Dermatologist
Diabetes can cause many other skin problems. Most skin problems are harmless, but even a minor one can become serious in people who have diabetes. A board-certified dermatologist can recognize skin problems due to diabetes and help you manage them.
Are all dermatologists board certified?
No. See what it takes to become board certified.
ImagesImage 1: Image Courtesy of Clark C. Otley, MD. All Rights Reserved
Images 3, 7, 8, 9: Used with permission of the American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.
Image 2 from DermNetNZ
Some images used with permission of Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Images 5, 6 and 10: Getty Images
ReferencesCohen Sabban, EN. Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus from A to Z. Focus session presented at: 74th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology March 4-8, 2016 Washington D.C.
Duff M, Demidova O, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus. Clinical Diabetes. 2015 33:40-8.
Kalus AA, Chien AJ, et al. Diabetes mellitus and other endocrine disorders. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith LA, et al. Fitzpatricks Dermatology in General Medicine . McGraw Hill Medical, New York, 2008:1461-70.
McKinley-Grant L, Warnick M, et al. Cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease. In: Kelly AP and Taylor S. Dermatology for Skin of Color. . The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. China, 2009:481-4.
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How Many People Get Altered Sensations
In a study of 428 people with MS, 8 in every 100 reported experiencing painful altered sensations in the previous six months. 12 in every 100 people in the same study reported experiencing dysaesthesia at some point in their life. The total number of people who experience altered sensations is likely to be much higher because this study did not count those who had non-painful changes in sensation, such as numbness.
In a study of 224 people with MS, 40% reported experiencing periods of altered sensation lasting from seconds to minutes. The most common description was burning followed by electric shock, insects crawling and then itching. People with early disease and without disability had sensory symptoms just as often as those with disability. This reflects the observation that altered sensation is often one of the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
What Causes Tingling Or Itching All Over
Formication is a type of paresthesia. Paresthesias are dermal sensations and include sensations such as prickling, tingling, or numbness sensations many define as pins and needles”. These sensations are usually caused by transient disruption or pressure on the nerves in the affected area for example, sitting with the legs crossed for too long can easily produce such sensations. However, when symptoms become chronic in nature, the causes become more nuanced.
Pruritus is not as easily explained. It is thought to be caused by irritation or stimulation of cells and receptors on the skin mostly related to nerves. Multiple conditions can stimulate these nerve cells and cause itching.
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What Can I Do To Help With These Weird Sensations
As usual, there are lifestyle changes to try first:
When Should I Consult A Doctor About Paresthesia
If none of these make the paresthesia manageable, or if itâs impacting your sleep or quality of life, talk to a doctor about medical interventions like hormone replacement, topical creams, or a low-dose antidepressant medication for menopause symptom treatment. While paresthesia related to menopause is considered âchronicâ , there are ways to moderate the sensations until estrogen levels reach their new normal and sensations reduce or disappear.
Tingling and burning sensations can be caused by more dangerous conditions such as fibromyalgia or stroke, so if you have any of the following as well as the paresthesia, talk to your doc:
- Difficulty controlling arms, legs, hands, or feet problems walking
- Increased urination or inability to control bladder or bowels
- Muscle weakness or paralysis
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Is It Vitiligo Or Something Else
Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that causes your skin to lose color, often resulting in white patches on your skin that cover both sides of your body.
Pityriasis alba is a common skin disorder that causes areas of light-colored skin. The spots often start as slightly red, scaly patches on the face, upper arms, neck, and upper middle section of the body.
Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungal infection and leads to patches of discolored skin with a fine, dry, scaly surface.
Hansen’s disease is a bacterial infection that can also cause discolored patches of skin. Usually these patches are flat, look faded, and may even feel numb.
Scleroderma is a rare but serious autoimmune disease that causes parts of the skin to harden. Often those areas can appear shiny. It can also create problems with connective tissue beneath the skin, harming blood vessels and internal organs.
Addison disease happens when the body doesn’t produce enough cortisol, a hormone that regulates stress. One symptom of the disease is darkening of the skin in places like scars, skin folds, elbows, knees, and knuckles.
Talk to your health care provider if you think you might have vitiligo or another skin condition.
: MedlinePlus
What Can I Do If I Have Altered Sensations
Altered sensations may go away completely without treatment or they may return periodically. Persistent symptoms can be difficult to treat. If the altered sensation is having a major impact, your health professionals may suggest drug treatments. Otherwise, managing any trigger factors or changing how you carry out daily tasks may be helpful.
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How Is Limb Numbness Treated
Your doctor will order tests to find out the cause of your numbness. Make sure you tell them if you have had any recent injuries, illnesses or infections.
The treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the numbness. Long-term nerve problems can sometimes be treated with medicines including antidepressants, corticosteroids or gabapentin and pregabalin .
Other Causes Of Skin Discoloration
Other conditions and medical treatments that can cause skin discoloration include:
- Bleeding into the skin.This happens when blood vessels burst due to injury, bruising, or an allergic reaction.
- Radiation therapy.Radiation therapy is a cancer treatment that can cause the skin to blister, itch, and peel.
- Spider veins. Damaged veins that can appear as clusters of red, blue, or purple lines underneath your skin, particularly in your legs.
- Hormonal changes. Hormonal changes may cause the development of melasma hyperpigmentation.
- Thermal injuries. Skin discoloration can occur after healing from burns such as those associated with frosbite, sunburn, fire, and electrical injuries.
- Toxic exposures. Chronic application or ingestion of silver compounds and heavy metals can
You should schedule an appointment with a doctor if you:
- have any lasting changes in your skin color
- notice a new mole or growth on your skin
- have an existing mole or growth that changed in size or appearance
- have any other concerning symptoms, such as pain, inflammation, or discharge
At your appointment, your doctor will first take a look at areas of skin discoloration and ask you about any changes youve noticed. They will also ask about other symptoms you may be experiencing.
- blood tests to check for conditions that may cause changes in skin color
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What Is Limb Numbness
Numbness, sometimes called paresthesia, means you lose some or all sensation in the affected part of your body. You wont feel a light touch, pain or temperature. Numbness is due to a problem with the nerves sending signals to the brain.
You can experience numbness anywhere in your body, but its most commonly felt in the fingers, hands, feet, arms, or legs. You might also feel a tingling, prickling, or pins and needles.
Having a numb limb can lead to other problems, such as falling or not noticing an injury, infection or sore.
Diabetes: 12 Warning Signs That Appear On Your Skin
Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your skin. When diabetes affects the skin, its often a sign that your blood sugar levels are too high. This could mean that:
-
You have undiagnosed diabetes, or pre-diabetes
-
Your treatment for diabetes needs to be adjusted
If you notice any of the following warning signs on your skin, its time to talk with your doctor.
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Open Sores And Wounds
Having high blood sugar for a long time can lead to poor circulation and nerve damage. You may have developed these if youve had uncontrolled diabetes for a long time.
Poor circulation and nerve damage can make it hard for your body to heal wounds. This is especially true on the feet. These open wounds are called diabetic ulcers.
Diabetes and feet
- Get immediate medical care for an open sore or wound.
- Work with your doctor to better control your diabetes.
Yellowish Scaly Patches On And Around Your Eyelids
These develop when you have high fat levels in your blood. It can also be a sign that your diabetes is poorly controlled.The medical name for this condition is xanthelasma.
Take action
- Tell your doctor about the yellowish scaly patches around your eyes.
- Talk with your doctor about how to better control your diabetes. Controlling diabetes can clear the scaly patches.
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How Is Skin Discoloration Treated
Treatment for discolored skin patches depends on the underlying cause. If a healthcare professional finds an underlying health condition, they will attempt to treat that particular condition first.
Any active infection must be treated with the appropriate class of drugs. For example, antibiotics can treat bacterial infections, while antifungal medications treat fungal infections.
If you choose to seek treatment for cosmetic reasons, a dermatologist may recommend over-the-counter or prescription topical treatments to reduce signs of skin discoloration. Professional treatments, such as chemical peels or microdermabrasion, may also be used to help reduce hyperpigmentation, but these arent usually covered by insurance.
Its important to ask your doctor before trying any topical treatments or home remedies that supposedly treat skin discoloration. You should always get a correct diagnosis first.