Tingling in the hands or feet may be due to sitting or sleeping in an unusual position. Moreover, it can indicate an underlying illness, such as pinched nerves, nutritional deficiencies, or consequences from diabetes. Tingling in the hands and feet can occur for a variety of reasons, the majority of which are temporary. An odd position may apply pressure to a nerve, resulting in tingling in the hands or feet. People often refer to this as “pins and needles. More significant causes of tingling in the hands or feet may need a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Tingling in Feet
A lot of causes of tingling sensations are linked to peripheral neuropathy. This type of nerve damage leads to tingling and numbness in the hands and feet. The causes of peripheral neuropathy and other reasons that feet or hands may tingle are mentioned below:
1. Pinched nerve
Causes: A person may experience tingling in their feet or hands because of a pinched nerve in the back. This may have happened as a result of injury or swelling.
Symptoms: Pain and limited movement.
Treatment: Rest, medication, physical therapy. Surgery is another option if none of these treatments are effective.
2. Toxins
Causes: Swallowing something toxic (arsenic, allium, mercury, antifreeze) or a toxin being absorbed through the skin.
Symptoms: Tingling in the feet.
Treatment: for toxin exposure needs to be carried out urgently and will depend on the substance.
3. Anxiety
Causes: People who experience anxiety may hyperventilate, which can cause tingling in the feet.
Symptoms: Hyperventilating is a common symptom of anxiety and is characterised by breathing very rapidly. This causes an imbalance in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels, which may make the feet tingle. Tingling in the feet and anxiety may be linked psychologically. This is why people may be more aware of their bodily sensations when they feel anxious.
Anxiety treatments: Cognitive behavioural therapy, talking therapy, anti-anxiety medication, well-being activities, such as yoga, meditation, and mindfulness
4. Pregnancy
Causes: The uterus may put pressure on the nerves in a person’s legs as their baby grows.
Symptoms: This may cause tingling, often described as “pins and needles.”
Treatment: Staying hydrated, changing positions, and resting with the feet up can help relieve the sensation.
5. Repetitive strain injury
Causes: RSI happens when a person carries out repetitive activities for too long without rest. RSI is also known as work-related upper limb disorder. It can be the result of poor posture.
Symptoms: RSI may cause tingling in the hands. RSI commonly affects wrists and hands, forearms and elbows, and neck and shoulders. It causes pain, aching, tenderness, stiffness, throbbing, weakness, or cramps.
Treatments: Anti-inflammatory drugs, cold packs, elastic supports
6. Vitamin deficiency
Causes: Deficiency of vitamins E, B-1, B-6, B-12 or niacin may cause tingling in the hands or feet. These vitamins are vital for nerve function.
Symptoms: Dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, digestive problems, chest pain, nausea, and enlarged liver.
Treatments: Eat a more healthful diet or take dietary supplements.
7. Multiple sclerosis
Causes: Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a long-term condition that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Symptoms: Numbness or tingling in the feet is an early symptom of MS. People with the condition may experience tingling before diagnosis. Other symptoms include vision problems, pains, spasms, fatigue, dizziness, trouble balancing, bladder issues, sexual dysfunction, and cognitive issues
Treatments: Short courses of steroid medication, symptom-specific treatments, and disease-modifying therapies.
8. Infections
Causes: Certain infections like HIV, AIDS, hepatitis B and C, Hansen’s disease (leprosy), shingles, and Lyme disease can cause nerves to become inflamed.
Symptoms: This inflammation may lead to tingling in the hands or feet.
Treatment: A doctor can advise on the best course of treatment once they have diagnosed an infection.
9. Kidney failure
Causes: Diabetes and high blood pressure both increase the risk of kidney failure.
Symptoms: Tingling, cramping, muscle twitches, muscle weakness.
Treatment: Consult a doctor for tests and dialysis or a kidney transplant.
10. Peripheral artery disease
Causes: PAD affects the circulatory system, causing blood vessels to become narrower. It can also cause a stroke or heart attack due to plaque buildup in the arteries if it is left untreated.
Symptoms: Poor blood circulation, causing tingling in the feet or hands.
Treatment: Medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery.
How to get your feet to stop tingling?
Try working out to treat numbness in the feet or reduce tingling in the feet. Exercise helps lessen foot tingling and enhance circulation. Stretching can also ease muscle tension and enhance circulation, lessening tingling in the feet. Foot massages might also help lessen tingling. Refrain from Sitting or Standing for too long. Take short breaks to stretch or move around. Lastly, keeping your feet dry and clean will lessen sensation and help avoid infections.
Seek emergency medical assistance if you have sudden weakness, tingling in your face, or a severe headache along with tingling in your feet. These could be life-threatening symptoms of a stroke.
Food to Eat to Reduce Tingling Sensation
Your diet can help lessen tingling in your feet in addition to the lifestyle modifications already discussed. Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet will help decrease inflammation and enhance circulation in the body. Below are the meals that can help to lessen foot tingling:
1. Foods Rich in B12 and B6 Vitamins: The foods high in these vitamins include eggs, milk, fish, chicken, meat, and fortified cereals.
2. Magnesium-Rich Foods: They are essential for nerve and muscle function. Almonds, avocado, black beans, and spinach are foods high in magnesium.
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Rich Foods: They have anti-inflammatory properties and help improve circulation. Walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and fatty fish are foods high in omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Potassium-Rich Foods: They are essential for nerve and muscle function. Spinach, sweet potatoes, yoghurt, and bananas are high in potassium.
Conclusion
Many factors, such as nerve injury, poor circulation, and specific medical diseases, might result in body tingling. The underlying reason of tingling in the feet determines the course of treatment. Consult a doctor if you have tingling in your feet so they can identify the underlying problem and suggest the best course of action.
