MENU

Carruse

viernes, 8 de diciembre de 2017

Finger numbness



NEWSLETTER

Finger Numbness


Medically reviewed by William Morrison, MDon August 1, 2016 — Written by Rachel Nall, RN, BSN, CCRN

Causes


Your doctor


Diagnosis


Treatment


Prevention


Outlook


What is finger numbness?

Numbness can cause tingling and a prickling feeling, as if someone is lightly touching your fingers with a needle. Sometimes, the sensation can feel slightly burning. In addition, finger numbness may affect your ability to pick things up. You may feel clumsy and as if you’ve lost strength in your hands.

Finger numbness can range from an annoying symptom that occurs occasionally to something that impairs your ability to perform daily tasks. Whatever the symptoms, non-invasive treatments are often available.

CAUSES

What are the potential causes of finger numbness?

The nerves in your body are responsible for transmitting messages to and from your brain. If the nerves are compressed, damaged, or irritated, numbness can occur. Examples of conditions known to cause finger numbness include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome

This condition occurs when the nerve that provides feeling to your hand becomes pinched or obstructed. This condition often causes numbness in the index and middle fingers as well as the thumb.

Cervical radiculopathy

This occurs when a nerve that leaves your neck becomes inflamed or compressed. This condition can cause numbness that’s similar to carpal tunnel syndrome. This is also known as a pinched nerve.

Diabetes

A condition called diabetic neuropathy can lead to nerve damage in the feet as well as the hands. The feet are usually the first to have numbness.

Raynaud’s disease

This condition causes the small arteries in your fingers to spasm, or open and close very fast. This can cause numbness and affect your circulation.

Rheumatoid arthritis

An autoimmune disorder that causes swelling, tenderness, and pain in the joints. The condition can also lead to tingling, numbness, and burning in the hands.

Ulnar nerve entrapment

Carpal tunnel syndrome affects the median nerve in the arm, but ulnar nerve entrapment affects the ulnar nerve that runs on the little finger’s side of the arm. This most commonly causes numbness in the pinkie and ring fingers.

Less common causes of finger numbness can include:

alcohol use disorder


amyloidosis


ganglion cyst


Guillain-Barré syndrome


HIV


AIDS


Lyme disease


multiple sclerosis


side effects of medications, such as chemotherapy drugs


Sjogren’s syndrome


stroke


syphilis


vasculitis


vitamin B-12 deficiency


Hansen’s disease, or leprosy


fractures of the wrist or hand


YOUR DOCTOR

When to see your doctor

Sometimes, tingling and numbness can be symptoms of a medical emergency. This is true when a person is experiencing a stroke, which is when a blood clot or bleeding affects the brain. If you have any of the following symptoms get medical help immediately:

confusion


difficulty breathing


dizziness


hand or finger numbness


a severe headache


slurred speech


sudden weakness or paralysis


If your symptoms start to occur on a regular basis, interfere with your daily activities, or cause a significant amount of pain and discomfort, see your doctor.

DIAGNOSIS

How is finger numbness diagnosed?

Your doctor will start diagnosing your finger numbness by taking a medical history and examining your arm, hand, and finger. In some cases, your doctor may recommend you see a medical specialist, such as an orthopedic doctor who specializes in caring for hands or a neurologist, who can test your nerve function.

Another common test doctors order when a person has finger numbness is an MRI scan. This scan helps them view areas where bones in the following areas may have slipped out of place:

neck


shoulders


arms


wrists


fingers


Bones that slip out of place can cause compression on your nerves.

Blood tests may also help a doctor diagnose conditions that cause finger numbness, such as rheumatoid arthritis or vitamin B-12 deficiency.

TREATMENT

How is finger numbness treated?

Your doctor may recommend over-the-counter (OTC) medication to reduce inflammation. Examples include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen.

Another option is wearing a brace or splint. This will help you keep your elbow or wrist in a good position, so the nerve is less likely to be compressed.

In rare instances when OTC treatments don’t work, your doctor may recommend more invasive ones. Steroid injections can help relieve inflammation. Surgery may reduce the nerve damage or reduce the bones that are pressing on the nerve. Names of these procedures include:

a cubital tunnel release


an ulnar nerve anterior transposition


a medial epicondylectomy


Resting your hand and wrist is usually one of the best ways to reduce inflammation when you’re at home. You can also apply ice to the affected area. Exercises to stretch the hand and wrist can also reduce discomfort. Examples of these exercises include:

Stretching out your fingers as wide as you can and holding the position for about 10 seconds.


Moving your hands around in a clockwise direction about 10 times. Reverse the direction to reduce muscle tension.


Roll your shoulders backward five times and then forward five times to keep them as relaxed as possible.


Repeat these exercises throughout the day to reduce tension in your muscles.

PREVENTION

Can finger numbness be prevented?

Several of the causes associated with finger numbness are due to overuse injuries. This is when a person engages in repetitive motions and activities that can irritate or damage the nerves and cause numbness.

Ways to avoid repetitive motion injuries include:

practicing good posture and form when using a tool, keyboard, or another device that can result in repetitive motion injuries


taking a break from your activity every 30 minutes to one hour


stretching the muscles you’re using to reduce tension


purchasing ergonomic or supportive devices, such as a wrist brace or wrist rest for a keyboard


OUTLOOK

What is the outlook for people with finger numbness?

Finger numbness is usually treatable if it isn’t accompanied by emergency symptoms. Rest can help reduce overuse injuries. A doctor can also recommend more specific medical treatments depending on your condition’s underlying cause. As a general rule, the earlier you treat your finger numbness, the less likely it is to be a permanent symptom. This is why it’s important not to ignore your symptoms.

Article resources




Email this page

Your full nameYour emailRecipient’s email

SEND EMAIL

Your privacy is important to us

Share

Print

Email

Share

Tweet

Pin

Reddit

FEEDBACK:

How helpful was it?

This article changed my life!This article was informative.I have a medical question.

How can we improve it?

This article contains incorrect information.This article doesn’t have the information I’m looking for.I have a medical question.

READ THIS NEXT


Stretches for Wrists and Hands

READ MORE


Tips for Treating Diabetic Nerve Pain

READ MORE


Animal Bite of Finger

Animal bites to the finger are typically not life-threatening. However, the spread of an infection from an animal bite can cause serious medical…

READ MORE


9 Home Remedies for Carpal Tunnel Relief

READ MORE


Exercises for Treating Carpal Tunnel

John DiBlasio, MPT, DPT, CSCS, a Vermont-based physical therapist, shows us exercises that can be used as part of a treatment plan for carpal tunnel.

READ MORE


16 Early Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Learn the early signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis like vision problems, tingling and numbness, pain and spasms, fatigue, and weakness.

READ MORE


Ulnar Nerve Palsy (Dysfunction)

Ulnar nerve palsy causes loss of sensation and muscle weakness in the hand. Learn about ulnar nerve palsy symptoms, causes, and treatment.

READ MORE


Numbness, Muscle Pain, and Other RA Symptoms

READ MORE


Injury of Radial Nerve

The radial nerve runs down the underside of the arm and controls movement of the triceps (the muscle located at the back of the upper arm).

READ MORE


The Aftereffects of Alcoholism: Alcoholic Neuropathy

Alcohol can be toxic to nerve tissue. People who drink too much may start to feel pain and tingling in their limbs. This is known as alcoholic…

READ MORE


get our wellness newsletter

Health tips, wellness advice, and more.

SUBSCRIBE

About Us


Health Topics


Health News


FDA


Contact Us


Advertise With Us


Advertising Policy


Newsletters


Careers


Privacy Policy


Terms of Use


Find an Online Doctor


Copyright © 2005 - 2017 Healthline Media. All rights reserved. Our content does not constitute a medical consultation. See a certified medical professional for diagnosis. Privacy Policy.