Why does chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy cause numbness or tingling in hands and feet?

Peripheral nerves connect the spinal cord with the skin and muscles. When chemotherapy affects them, messages about touch, temperature, and pain may become weaker, delayed, or distorted. This can cause reduced feeling, pins and needles, burning, electric sensations, unusual sensitivity, or discomfort. The hands and feet are often noticed because the longest nerves travel furthest from the body’s centre.

Some people also notice weakness, clumsiness, trouble with buttons, or a change in balance. Symptoms may begin during treatment or after it and can change over time. Other problems, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency, pressure on a nerve, or another medicine, can cause similar symptoms, so the treatment team should assess the pattern.

Report tingling, numbness, burning, weakness, or balance changes early, even if they seem mild. Check the skin and feet regularly, use care with hot water and sharp objects, wear well-fitting shoes, and keep walkways clear. The oncology team may review the chemotherapy plan, examine sensation and strength, and discuss symptom relief or safety support. Do not change treatment yourself.

Contact the care team promptly if symptoms are progressing, affecting walking, gripping, dressing, sleep, or daily tasks. Seek urgent help for sudden one-sided weakness, new severe difficulty walking, loss of bladder or bowel control, a serious burn or cut you did not feel, or rapidly worsening weakness.

Could my symptoms be related to chemotherapy or another nerve problem? How should I protect numb skin from burns and injuries? Which changes should I report before my next treatment? What options may ease discomfort or support balance?