The Feeling of Pins & Needles in the Hand

Most people have experienced the uncomfortable, tingling or burning "pins and needles" sensation in one or more of their extremities. The medical term for this condition is "paresthesia." It can be felt in any area of the body but typically affects the hands and feet. Areas affected by paresthesia are sometimes said to have "fallen asleep."

Temporary and Chronic Parasthesia

• Paresthesia can be either temporary or chronic. Temporary paresthesia often appears without warning, is usually painless and dissipates quickly. The pins and needles sensation is sometimes accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the affected area. Temporary paresthesia is generally no cause for alarm. A constant or recurring feeling of pins and needles is called "chronic paresthesia" and may be a symptom of an underlying neurological disorder or other serious condition. People experiencing chronic paresthesia should consult a physician.

Causes of Temporary Paresthesia

• The sensation of pins and needles in your hands is usually caused by unnatural pressure on blood vessels or nerves. Your hands "fall asleep" when blood supply to a nerve or nerves is disrupted or cut off. This condition is called ischemia, which results when tightly flexed joint such as an elbow or wrist compresses an artery. The initial numbness of paresthesia is replaced by a tingling, pins and needles sensation when pressure on the artery is relieved, restoring circulation to the nerves. Paresthesia can also be the result of direct compression of a nerve. The sensations are the same and quickly go away when pressure on the nerve is relieved.

Causes of Chronic Paresthesis

• Chronic paresthesia is often a symptom of an underlying condition or disease. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a well-known chronic condition caused by pinched nerves in the hand and wrist. Pinched or traumatized nerves in the neck, called cervical nerve irritation, can result in paresthesia of the hands and arms. Metabolic or nutritional disturbances are a significant causal factor of paresthesia. Diabetes, hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism are examples of metabolic conditions that result in paresthesia. Nutritional issues include vitamin B-12 deficiency and alcoholism. Chronic paresthesia may also be caused by connective tissue diseases such as lupus and arthritis. Paresthesia is often an early symptom of multiple sclerosis, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and other motor neuron diseases. Other potential causes of paresthesia are Guillain-Barre Syndrome, HIV, menopause, Lyme disease, tumors and disorders such as atherosclerosis, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke.

Paresthesia Treatment

• Temporary paresthesia does not require treatment, but people experiencing recurring paresthesia with no apparent cause should see a doctor. Treatment of chronic paresthesia depends on the underlying cause and may including splinting, therapy, medication, surgery and other more advanced treatments.