Why do my hands tingle at night?

Nighttime hand tingling is most commonly caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. Sleeping with wrists flexed compresses the median nerve. A wrist splint worn at night often provides significant relief. If tingling persists during the day or affects other areas, see your doctor for further evaluation.

Can anxiety cause numbness and tingling?

Yes. Anxiety and panic attacks commonly cause tingling in hands, feet, and around the mouth. This is typically caused by hyperventilation (rapid breathing) which alters blood carbon dioxide levels. The tingling resolves when breathing normalizes. While uncomfortable, anxiety-related tingling is not dangerous.

What vitamin deficiency causes tingling?

Vitamin B12 deficiency is the most common nutritional cause of tingling and numbness in hands and feet. Other deficiencies that can cause neuropathy include B6 (paradoxically, both deficiency AND excess), folate, copper, and vitamin E. symptom.md recommends B12 testing for anyone with unexplained peripheral tingling.

Is tingling in feet a sign of diabetes?

Potentially. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the most common cause of chronic tingling/numbness in the feet. It typically starts in the toes and feet and progresses upward. If you have unexplained foot tingling, especially with risk factors (overweight, family history of diabetes), get your fasting glucose and HbA1c checked.

Numbness and Tingling: Common Causes and When It Could Be Serious

Numbness and tingling (paresthesia) is unsettling — your arm falls asleep, your feet tingle, or your fingers go numb for no apparent reason. Most of the time it's harmless nerve compression, but certain patterns warrant medical attention. symptom.md helps you identify what's causing it and when to worry.

Who Is This For?

This symptom.md guide is for:

Anyone experiencing unexplained numbness or tingling
People with tingling in hands or feet that won't go away
Those wondering if their symptoms could indicate something serious

Common Causes (Usually Not Serious)

Positional Nerve Compression

The most common cause. Sitting on your foot, sleeping on your arm, or holding a position too long compresses a nerve. The tingling resolves within minutes of changing position. No treatment needed.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Compression of the median nerve at the wrist. Causes numbness/tingling in thumb, index, middle, and half of ring finger. Worse at night and with repetitive hand use. Very common — affects 3-6% of adults. Treated with wrist splinting, ergonomic changes, and sometimes surgery.

Anxiety and Hyperventilation

Anxiety causes rapid breathing that changes blood CO2 levels, leading to tingling in hands, feet, and around the mouth. Often accompanied by lightheadedness and chest tightness. Resolves with controlled breathing. Common during panic attacks.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Causes peripheral neuropathy — tingling and numbness in hands and feet (typically symmetric). Risk factors: vegan/vegetarian diet, older age, metformin use, pernicious anemia. Blood test confirms diagnosis. Easily treated with supplementation.

Peripheral Neuropathy (Diabetes)

The most common cause of chronic peripheral neuropathy. High blood sugar damages nerves over time, causing tingling, numbness, and burning in feet (then hands) in a "stocking-glove" pattern. Affects up to 50% of people with diabetes.

Less Common but Important Causes

Cervical or lumbar disc herniation: Compressed spinal nerve root causes numbness/tingling along a specific dermatome (mapped nerve pattern). Often accompanied by back or neck pain.
Multiple sclerosis: Numbness/tingling is often an early symptom. Usually affects one side or one limb. May come and go. More common in young adults.
Thyroid disorders: Both hypo- and hyperthyroidism can cause peripheral neuropathy.

Emergency: When Numbness = Call 911

symptom.md is clear — call 911 immediately if numbness or tingling is:

Sudden onset on one side of the body (face, arm, or leg)
Accompanied by facial drooping, speech difficulty, or confusion
Accompanied by sudden severe headache or vision changes

These are signs of stroke. Use the FAST mnemonic: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911.

When to See a Doctor (Non-Emergency)

Numbness/tingling lasting more than a few days
Progressive worsening
Symmetric pattern (both feet, both hands)
Associated weakness or loss of coordination
Bladder or bowel changes with back pain and leg numbness (possible cauda equina — urgent)