When to worry about numbness and tingling with peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy affects nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. Altered nerve signals can cause pins and needles, reduced feeling, burning, or a sensation of walking on soft ground. Symptoms may start in the toes or fingers and gradually move upward. Reduced feeling can hide a blister, cut, burn, or pressure injury.

Check the skin of your feet and hands each day, use well-fitting footwear, and avoid very hot water or heating pads on areas with reduced sensation. Keep a record of where the feeling occurs, whether it is changing, and any balance or strength problems. Arrange a routine appointment when symptoms are new, persistent, worsening, or disturbing sleep.

Call emergency services for sudden one-sided numbness, facial drooping, speech difficulty, severe weakness, new loss of coordination, or numbness with a severe headache. Seek same-day assessment for rapidly worsening symptoms, repeated falls, a foot wound that is red or draining, or new difficulty controlling urine or stool.

Ask whether your medicines, blood tests, circulation, or another nerve problem could be contributing. You can also ask how to examine numb areas safely and which changes should trigger an earlier review.