What Are the Causes of Numbness & Tingling in the Arm?

Numbness and tingling are unusual sensations that can be felt anywhere in the body and can have many possible causes. These sensations are often felt in the fingers, hands arms and feet. Another term for numbness is paresthesias.

Pressure

• Pressure on a nerve can lead to numbness and tingling in the arm. This can be as simple as sitting in one position too long. Tumors, enlarged blood vessels and infection can also cause pressure on a nerve.

Injury

• Injured nerves, particularly damaged nerves in the neck, can cause numbness and tingling anywhere along the arm or hand.

Conditions and Diseases

• Certain conditions and diseases can cause tingling and numbness in the arm. Conditions that may lead to numbness in the arm include multiple sclerosis, diabetes, seizures and underactive thyroid, according to Medline Plus.

Other Causes

• Other causes of tingling in the arm include use of certain medications, lack of B12 and abnormal levels of sodium, calcium and potassium in your body.

Warning

• Any sudden, unexplained numbness could be a sign of a serious illness, such as stroke or rheumatoid arthritis. Even if symptoms last only a few minutes, if there is no logical explanation for numbness, seek medical attention immediately.