Physical discomfort and various pain sensations are often perceived by many people so naturally that they do not pay due attention to the problem that has arisen. However, if your health worsens, then there are reasons for this, and they need to be dealt with. For example, when the fingers on the right hand go numb, this means that certain functions are impaired and need to be restored.
Initially, it is worth noting the following fact: numbness can be accompanied by several characteristic symptoms - tightness, chilliness, loss of sensitivity, burning and tingling. When the fingers of the right hand go numb and hurt, the cause is often considered neurovascular syndrome, which manifests itself against the background of high blood pressure and cervical osteochondrosis.
Sometimes loss of sensitivity is a consequence of an unhealthy lifestyle. But in any case, when the fingers on the right hand go numb, this is only a symptom indicating a specific dysfunction of the body.
If the problem with finger sensitivity does not go away, then you should not delay a visit to the doctor. However, there are cases in which urgent consultation with a doctor is necessary:
— rapid loss of sensitivity to water temperature;
- systematic numbness without obvious reasons;
- numbness of the hands, which interferes with proper coordination of movements;
- behavioral disorders, psychological or nervous disorders that appear simultaneously with loss of sensitivity;
- decreased sensitivity or tingling, accompanied by shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, general weakness, nausea and dizziness.
When understanding why fingers go numb, you need to pay attention to the cause of this condition, Raynaud's syndrome. We are talking about a pathological condition that differs from the disease of the same name in that vascular spasms in the fingers are defined as a secondary symptom, indicating chronic diseases of the nervous system, endocrine disorders, intoxication, problems with connective tissue with constant exposure to cold and vibration. Raynaud's disease itself directly refers to numbness of the fingertips due to vascular spasms of small capillaries (most often occurs during hypothermia). Vasospasm can also be caused by severe stress.
Another answer to the question of why fingers go numb is a diagnosis such as arthrosis (arthritis) of the phalanges of the fingers, as well as the joints of the hand. The cause of loss of sensitivity can also be a violation of cerebral circulation. Numbness of the fingers in this case should be defined as the first symptoms of this pathology.
There are also more commonplace reasons for numbness in the fingers of the right hand. Since this hand is a working hand for many (seamstresses, those who have to write a lot, etc.), due to frequently repeated stress, the small muscles of the hand become overstrained and numbness occurs. To prevent such a condition, there must be periodic pauses in work. Competent finger motor skills will not be superfluous, exercises for which can be suggested by a qualified doctor. If you have to work outside at low temperatures, then it is imperative to protect your fingers from hypothermia (warm gloves). In other words, you need to take care of your finger joints and blood vessels.
At first glance, it may seem that the symptoms of loss of sensitivity are obvious - tactile sensations are significantly reduced. But when complaining about numbness, ordinary people may mean various manifestations.
Therefore, it is worth clarifying exactly what symptoms should be attributed to this problem:
- a condition in which the sensitivity of the skin decreases;
- a tingling feeling that causes noticeable discomfort;
- sensation of movement of so-called goosebumps;
- in rare cases - a complex manifestation of all the symptoms mentioned above, or impaired joint mobility.
Spring vitamin deficiency can often be cited as the cause of loss of sensitivity in the fingertips. If this is really the case, then you need to enrich your diet with foods that sufficiently contain vitamin groups A and B. You should not ignore these measures to restore the body, since a deficiency of vitamins can lead to significant complications. For example, there is a risk of developing atherosclerosis (blockage) of blood vessels in the fingers. Numbness in the fingers of the right hand can also develop for other reasons: endocrine diseases, consequences of injury and inflammation of the joints.
You should pay attention to various accessories that are attached to the hand or fingers. For example, bracelets, straps or rings that are too tight and do not fit the right size can put pressure on blood vessels and nerve endings.
Bad habits can cause numbness in the fingers of your right hand. The reasons why an incorrect lifestyle can cause such significant harm are quite simple:
- Alcohol abuse. With stable consumption, alcoholic beverages lead to disruption of the peripheral nerves of the upper and lower extremities. As a result, a sensation of “goosebumps” appears, after which the skin begins to lose sensitivity and the sense of touch is impaired. If alcohol continues to enter the body in significant quantities, coordination may deteriorate and difficulty performing hand movements. In this condition, it will be difficult to fix even a light object with your fingers.
- Excess weight. With developing obesity, the body's metabolism and blood flow, on which the full functioning of the legs and arms depends, are disrupted. As a result, the fingers and palms lose sensitivity and begin to go numb. If an overweight person suffers from physical inactivity (lack of physical activity and movement), then signs of loss of sensitivity appear especially clearly.
- Smoking . Both the tars contained in nicotine and nicotine itself have an extremely destructive effect on the walls of blood vessels. They (the vessels), in turn, begin to thin out, become non-plastic and brittle. This condition of damaged areas of the circulatory system leads to the fact that blood access to the upper extremities is difficult and numbness of the fingers of the right hand develops. The reasons for the development of atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the hands largely go back to the process mentioned above. It is important to understand that sclerosis of the limbs is too serious a disease to be ignored. We are talking about consequences such as gangrene and even amputation of the hand.
As you can see, numbness in the fingers can be a symptom of extremely destructive processes in the body. Therefore, you should not delay diagnosis and, if necessary, qualified treatment.
Speaking about problems with the thumb, it is worth remembering carpal tunnel syndrome. This pathology, depending on the degree of damage, affects the loss of sensitivity of the phalanx of the thumb, as well as the middle and index fingers. In this condition, compression occurs on the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel.
The thumb can also become numb due to specific working conditions in which the hand is fixed in one position for a long time. As a result, stenotic ligamentosis of the transverse ligaments develops, against the background of which swelling of the connective tissue of the wrist progresses. Next, compression of the nervous tissue occurs, since the impulse passing through it becomes weak. The consequence of the weakened impulse is stiffness in the movement of the phalanx. For the same reasons, you may feel numbness in the ring finger of your right hand.
The thumb can also go numb due to the development of diseases such as neurofibroma and hemangioma. This diagnosis refers to tumors that can put pressure on nerve endings. A visit to the doctor should be planned if the loss of sensitivity lasts more than half an hour. If the treatment process is ignored, the progressive disease can lead to atrophy of the thumb muscles.
Loss of sensation in the area of this finger also indicates the possible development of diseases such as arthrosis and arthritis of the elbow joint. The essence of the effect of arthrosis is the destruction of the joint tissue of the elbow, accompanied by pain. The nerves and vessels passing through the cubital canal are compressed, resulting in loss of tactility. Bringing the fingers together becomes extremely problematic for the patient.
The reasons for the development of arthritis can be identified as an infectious pathology that leads to an inflammatory process, or stable and significant loads on the elbow joint. As a result, the conductivity of nerve impulses noticeably decreases and the sensitivity of the index finger is lost.
When numbness is felt in the middle and index phalanx of the right hand, it makes sense to suspect structural abnormalities in the tissues. The consequence of such disorders can be functional disruptions in the functioning of the discs and muscles of the neck, as well as intervertebral tissues. The result of such changes is compression of the nerve endings, leading to signal blocking. In addition, there is a high probability of pain symptoms in the forearm and shoulder area.
Regarding the issue of loss of sensitivity of the middle phalanx, it should be noted that the cause of this condition is often neuropathy of the peripheral zone, which was obtained in the process of violating the integrity of the distal processes of the nerve receptors located in the radial nerve. Such disorders occur when a nerve fiber is damaged or ruptured. The cause of the rupture is usually carpal tunnel syndrome or subluxation, as well as a sprained elbow joint.
The cause of numbness during sleep is the uncomfortable position of the arm, in which the blood vessels are pressed under the influence of body weight, and the limb begins to go numb. This can be easily corrected by changing the posture and, as a result, removing the load from the arm.
Another reason why your fingers may go numb is uncomfortable clothing that pinches the blood vessels. That is why it is not recommended to use tight, uncomfortable underwear, including pajamas.
In order to neutralize numbness, it is necessary to perform the following exercises for the fingers, which can give good results:
— In a lying position, you need to raise your hands up and clench and unclench your fingers 80 times.
— Next, you should stretch your arms along your body and again perform 80 finger squeezes.
- For the next exercise, you need to stand facing the wall with your arms raised up, while leaning on your toes. You need to stand like this for about a minute, after which you should repeat the exercise several times.
— The final element of gymnastics looks like this: in a standing position (on a full foot), you need to clasp your hands behind your back and hold them like that for 1 minute. This exercise is repeated 3 times.
Numbness in the fingers of the right hand can have different causes. One of them is the constant load on the hands. To neutralize the harmful effects of monotonous work, you need to perform the following exercises:
- Palms pressed against each other, fingers crossed. They (fingers) need to be bent and straightened several times.
- Clench and unclench your fists with your palms pressed together.
- Leaving your thumb motionless, you need to touch it with the tips of your other fingers.
— The fist is clenched (with force) for several seconds, after which the fingers extend. Afterwards, you need to squeeze each of them in turn, with the tip of the phalanx reaching the middle of the palm.
— Your hand should be placed on the table so that the hand hangs over the edge of the tabletop. Next, you need to move your hand down and up, leaving your hand motionless.
Since, as mentioned above, numbness of the fingers is a symptom of the disease, treatment should be focused on neutralizing the original source of the problem.
Among others, we can highlight such popular techniques as magnetic-vacuum acupuncture, osteopathy, vibration finger massage and phonophoresis, which refers to the administration of medications using ultrasound.
The doctor approaches the treatment process individually, since the causes of loss of sensitivity may be different and may be accompanied by some complications. After diagnosis, treatment of numbness in the fingers of the right hand, as a rule, involves the use of one of the following therapeutic measures:
- the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in case of detection of neuritis and osteochondrosis (Prednisolone, Hydrocortisone, Amidopyrine, etc.);
— introduction of an active lifestyle;
- prescribing a hand massage to improve lymphatic drainage and blood circulation (it is important to massage each finger separately from the tip to the wrist);
- taking vitamins A, B, E (“Aneurin”, “Thiamine”, etc.);
— control of the amount of liquid and salt used in the diet (especially important for pregnant women);
- the use of drugs that strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improve blood circulation and lower cholesterol levels (Venolek, Vasoket, Detralex, Venarus).
Considering the fact that numbness is essentially a manifestation of a specific disease, if you lose sensation in the fingers of your right hand, it is important to visit a doctor and get diagnosed. This will allow you to find out the real problem and act on it before complications arise.
Often no one pays attention to the numbness of individual limbs, thinking that the symptom will go away on its own. Sometimes numbness can indicate a serious heart or vascular disease. The thumb of the left hand most often goes numb due to circulatory problems in the limb or various serious diseases of the nervous and cardiovascular systems.
Symptoms can appear when a person is in an uncomfortable position for a long time, as a result the nerve is pinched and the thumb of the left hand goes numb.
Most often, numbness of the thumb on the left hand indicates osteochondrosis of the thoracic or cervical region. In addition to this symptom, a person’s arms become weak.
Pathological processes in the elbow joint, as well as neuralgia of the brachial nerve, lead to numbness of the thumb and complete loss of sensation in the entire left limb.
Unpleasant sensations may appear due to a lack of certain groups of vitamins A and B. It is dangerous when numbness of the thumb indicates vascular atherosclerosis of the hands.
If numbness bothers you during sleep, you should definitely consult a cardiologist; you may have a serious cardiovascular pathology:
Sometimes symptoms are caused by diabetes, so it is additionally recommended to take a blood test to check your glucose levels. Also, be sure to remember that you did not hit your elbow anywhere, because numbness in the thumb can be a consequence of an injury.
During pregnancy, the thumb may go numb due to swelling of the wrists. Most often this happens in the last trimester of pregnancy. The expectant mother must:
Numbness of the thumb can be caused by a lack of vitamin B12. This substance affects all metabolic processes. If there is a vitamin deficiency in the body, then in addition to numbness, it is worth noting that the person gets tired quickly, has problems with the heart rhythm, and sensitivity is impaired.
If the numbness is caused by Raynaud's syndrome, the patient has serious circulatory problems. In addition to the numbness of the thumb, the hand may also become numb. A person’s fingers are constantly cold; they have a bluish tint.
Attention! Numbness of the thumb, which is caused by neuropathy, is especially dangerous. Neuropathy occurs due to serious intoxication of the body and various metabolic disorders. Neuropathy is often a consequence of rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes.
Night numbness of the left thumb can be caused by alcohol abuse. Symptoms are characteristic of multiple sclerosis and coronary heart disease. Night numbness can be caused by incorrect body position; in this situation, you need to pay attention to what pillow you sleep on; you may have to replace it. After night numbness, tingling in the left thumb is often observed.
Quite often, a woman in this position may experience numbness in some of her fingers, swelling of her hands, and problems with blood circulation. A special massage will help you improve your condition; you should also pay attention to your diet.
If your thumb goes numb while you sleep, you may have slept in an uncomfortable position. In the later stages, a pregnant woman is allowed to sleep only on her side, so her left hand or some of its fingers may become numb.
If you have not been diagnosed with a specific disease, preventive and restorative treatment methods are used. To bring joints and blood vessels back to normal, you need to forget about salty, spicy, fatty foods.
Be sure to drink fruit and vegetable juices, herbal tea, and purified mineral water as much as possible. Your daily menu should include bananas, nuts and sesame seeds. It is recommended to adhere to a diet for some time that will protect you from the development of atherosclerosis and arthritis. You will also have to forget about smoking and alcoholic beverages.
For preventive purposes, it is recommended not to overcool. In frosty, damp and windy weather, it is imperative to wear gloves or mittens.
If your work involves constant stress on your hands, you should give them rest for an hour to restore blood circulation.
Massage helps a lot, which is best done in the evening before bed. For massage, use grape seed oil.
In some situations, the help of an osteopath is needed to help improve blood flow, metabolism, and restore nerve function.
When numbness of the thumb is accompanied by diabetes, it is necessary to pay attention to the level of glucose in the blood. In this situation, special drugs are prescribed that improve blood composition.
So, numbness of the left thumb can be caused by various conditions and diseases. Take action in a timely manner! Pay close attention to your health.
A specific feeling of numbness in the thumb is common and usually resolves quickly on its own without requiring medical intervention. Numbness of the toe can be caused by both banal pressing of the vessels and nerves of the leg, and serious pathologies of the nervous and musculoskeletal system.
The causes of numbness in the toes can be divided into two large groups: temporary, non-dangerous conditions and symptoms of pathological processes. Simple causes that can be eliminated without medical attention include:
Pathological conditions that can cause the symptom of numbness of the big toe on the left or right foot:
Frequently occurring paresthesia in certain situations for no apparent reason should be a reason to seek advice.
You should be wary if the following signs appear:
The first step in eliminating the feeling of numbness is identifying the cause of this phenomenon. Among the symptomatic methods of relieving paresthesia, it is worth highlighting:
To minimize the likelihood of numbness for simple reasons, you should follow these recommendations:
Any massage should be performed by a specialist, and the set of effects should be determined by the specifics of the existing problem and the part of the body. This video demonstrates a master class on how to perform a proper foot massage, which will help you cope with the problem of numbness in your fingers.
The feeling of numbness in the index finger indicates a number of quite serious diseases. Unfortunately, few people think about the reasons for this phenomenon.
So, why does the index finger go numb, and in what situations should you definitely visit your doctor?
The feeling of numbness is accompanied by slight tingling and decreased tissue sensitivity.
This phenomenon is caused by both compression of blood vessels and more complex processes. Common reasons include:
The reasons listed above are among the most common, but their list can be continued for quite a long time.
Additionally, the symptom that causes the numbness may depend on which hand has the loss of sensation in the index finger .
Important! Under no circumstances should you self-medicate for numbness. In some cases, a seemingly harmless situation can lead to serious consequences and even disability, if numbness indicates brain damage.
Loss of sensation in the index finger on the left hand is quite common. This phenomenon can be caused by the following processes:
According to experts, the feeling of numbness that occurs from time to time or does not go away for a long time deserves special attention .
In this case, the problem may lie in damage to the nervous system or blood flow. It is important to visit a therapist’s office and undergo all the necessary tests.
According to statistics, loss of sensitivity in a finger on the right hand occurs much more often than on the left, regardless of whether the person is right-handed or left-handed. The most common causes of this phenomenon:
Important! Always pay attention to symptoms associated with numbness. If this problem is accompanied by chest pain, dizziness or speech impairment, call an ambulance immediately.
There are many reasons for numbness in the fingertips. Often this problem worries pregnant women in the third trimester and, in addition to loss of sensitivity, is accompanied by swelling.
After childbirth the situation stabilizes. In addition, the symptom develops against the background of damage to the nerve endings in the cervical spine.
In any case, such a situation deserves close attention, as it sometimes indicates the following pathological processes:
It is important to note that numbness in the pads of the index fingers is typical for people who abuse alcohol and smoke. In this case, narrowing of blood vessels and poor circulation occurs.
As for drug treatment, it is selected in accordance with the cause of the disease. There is no universal cure for numbness.
Algorithm of actions for loss of sensitivity of the index finger:
Several exercises against numbness in fingers:
Loss of sensation in the index finger often occurs in patients between 25 and 50 years of age. The older the person, the more serious the reasons that caused the illness turn out to be.
You should not neglect the help of doctors and hope that the disease will go away on its own.
Numbness in the fingers of the left hand has been quite common lately. It can be accidental due to short-term compression of the nerve, or pathological, manifesting itself as a sign of another, more serious disease.
Let's look at some reasons for numbness in the fingers of the left hand:
The most common cause of numbness in the fingers of the left hand is compression of the neurovascular plexus. This plexus is responsible for trophism and nerve conduction, and compression of blood vessels or nerves (especially long-term) leads to slower blood flow, deterioration of tissue nutrition and temporary loss of sensitivity.
Clinical manifestations of numbness in the fingers usually reach their peak at night and in the morning. The main symptoms are:
Numbness can manifest itself both in the fingertips and in the hand as a whole. If you feel a slight numbness just a few times over a long period of time, you shouldn’t worry too much, because during sleep we can unconsciously take positions that are not entirely comfortable for the normal course of physiological processes. In this situation, you just need to relax your hand, placing it straight, and providing it with maximum blood supply.
However, if numbness in the fingers of your left hand happens to you regularly, this is a very serious reason to consult a doctor for consultation.
Constant impairment of finger sensitivity cannot be ignored, as this can subsequently lead to dystrophy, tissue trophic disorders, and even gangrenous lesions of the limb.
Numbness of the left little finger is often associated with long-term constant tension in the hand muscles and the muscular system of the entire upper spine. In such cases, as a rule, there is asymmetry and rotation of the cervical spine, which provokes pinching of nerve endings. The same pathology can be observed with the lumbar vertebrae.
Also, numbness of the left little finger may be a sign of a pathological process with bulging of the intervertebral disc into the spinal canal without compromising the integrity of the fibrous ring. This condition is a certain stage of osteochondrosis, which subsequently develops into an intervertebral hernia.
Quite often, numbness of the left little finger becomes a sign of serious cardiac problems (chronic heart failure or acute coronary syndrome).
To identify the cause of decreased sensitivity of the little finger, it is necessary to undergo appropriate examinations (electrocardiography, X-ray examination or magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine).
Numbness in the ring finger of the left hand most often occurs due to compression of the nerve endings in the elbow joint. The articular nerves (median, ulnar, and wrist) may be pinched or injured. The ulnar and wrist nerves are directly related to the ring finger of the left hand, which provoke a decrease in sensitivity due to various degenerative changes.
For effective therapeutic actions, it is necessary to trace the root cause of compression of the nerve fiber, the depth of the process and the exact localization of the nerve lesion.
In the absence of a history of traumatic effects on the hand and elbow joint, the main cause is usually considered to be entrapment of the ulnar nerve, the innervation of which can be disrupted in almost any area, from the spinal column to the fingertips.
Signs of decreased sensitivity in the ring finger on the left hand, accompanied by numbness in the little finger, often indicate problems with the heart.
A neuropathologist must fully diagnose and prescribe individual therapeutic interventions.
At the moment, several factors are known that provoke numbness of the left thumb, among them cervical or thoracic osteochondrosis and cardiovascular diseases can be noted.
The most common cause is a metabolic disorder in the intervertebral cartilage of the cervical or thoracic dislocation. Loss of sensitivity in the thumb may be accompanied by weakness of the hand, decreased muscle strength, and sometimes pain on the outer side of the shoulder and forearm.
Atherosclerosis, which is characterized by deterioration of the elasticity of the vascular wall and narrowing of the lumen, often causes circulatory failure in the tissues, which is also manifested by numbness of the finger.
Reduced sensitivity of the tip of the thumb can also be caused by a banal vitamin deficiency: this condition is often observed in the winter-spring period and is successfully relieved by taking complex vitamin and mineral preparations and a variety of vegetables and fruits in the diet.
Numbness of the index finger of the left hand may indicate some endocrine disorders (for example, diabetes mellitus or other diseases leading to metabolic disorders), inflammatory processes in the joints, possible injuries and tissue damage.
Pathological processes in the brachial plexus lead not only to numbness, but also to disturbances in the flexion-extension function of the hand and finger.
Degenerative changes in the cervical vertebrae (especially the sixth vertebra), cervical muscles and intervertebral discs often cause significant impairment of the sensitivity of the index finger and thumb of the left hand. This symptom can be observed against the background of muscle weakness in the arm and unpleasant sensations in the forearm.
Numbness of the index finger is often felt by those patients who, due to their professional activities, are forced to endure prolonged stress on the upper parts of the spine and specifically on the fingers. In such situations, physical therapy and periodic breaks during the working day will help.
Numbness of the middle finger of the left hand in combination with soreness and pallor of the skin may indicate a sharp spasm of the vascular network of the finger (the so-called Raynaud's disease). This condition develops with prolonged exposure to low temperatures, or as a consequence of injury.
However, most often, signs of decreased sensitivity of the middle finger are associated with the phenomena of osteochondrosis and may indicate the development of intervertebral hernias, pinched nerve endings, disturbances in the structure and trophism of tissues due to inflammation and deformation of the joints. Of particular note is osteochondrosis of the seventh cervical vertebra, which is responsible for the condition of the forearm and the innervation of the middle finger.
Each of the intervertebral discs plays the role of a kind of shock absorber. Osteochondrosis causes damage to these discs; they change their structure and become flattened, squeezing nearby tissues and pinching nerve endings, therefore the clinical manifestations of cervical chondrosis depend on the location of the damaged nerve branch and the localization of the innervated area.
Quite often, patients complain of numbness in the fingers of their left hand at night. There are no age restrictions at the heart of this problem; it can worry both older people and twenty-year-old youth. Usually this condition is associated with an incorrect sleeping position and the problem is ignored.
Of course, a comfortable sleeping position is extremely important, but other, more serious processes can also cause numbness.
If you work at the keyboard every day, straining your hands and fingers, then a decrease in sensitivity can be observed precisely due to the constant tension of the muscles and tendons of the wrist, which in turn leads to compression of the nerve endings.
Numbness can also be a symptom of various types of anemia, diabetes mellitus, and vitamin deficiency. Such causes are usually relieved by physical therapy, physiotherapy, and taking vitamin complexes.
It is no secret that the scourge of our time is spinal osteochondrosis, which may not manifest itself as pain in the back and neck, but causes persistent numbness in the fingers, especially at night, when blood circulation processes slow down significantly.
If, in addition to night paresthesias, you are bothered by a constant feeling of coldness in your extremities, even in the warm season, then you may suspect a violation of the blood supply to your hands. This condition is called Raynaud's disease.
In principle, all factors that contribute to numbness of the fingers at night can be easily treated; to do this, you just need to accurately determine the cause of this condition.
Changing postures and physical activity restore blood circulation. The toes become numb due to the habit of sitting on a chair with one leg thrown back or tucked under. This position will cause varicose veins in the legs and groin area, which will worsen your appearance and affect your gait and normal functioning.
Shoes that are inappropriate in size, instep, or thickness, with narrow toes or high heels. Being in it leads to compression of nerves and blood vessels, numbness develops and loss of sensitivity in the toes.
If your toe goes numb after a particular pair of shoes numbs your big toe, ditch it. Buy high-quality orthopedic shoes that suit all parameters. Freezing or wet feet. Diseases that lead to numbness of the big toe Motor functions are controlled by the lower spine. If it malfunctions, problems arise in the feet and they begin with a sensitivity disorder. Intervertebral hernia is a disease in which morphological numbness of the big toe occurs in the structure of the vertebral skeletal system. Intervertebral discs lie between the vertebrae, providing shock absorption and protection when there is a load on the spine.
The outside of the disc is covered with a dense fibrous membrane. With an intervertebral hernia, the fibrous ring ruptures. There is a feeling of numbness, crawling, pain. Numbness of the big toe occurs when a hernia occurs in the lumbar or sacral region. Numbness in the toes may not go away for a long time. Intervertebral hernia Inflammation of the sciatic nerve - one of the largest. With inflammation, sensitivity is impaired. The location of the inflammation determines which side the numbness will be on. Osteochondrosis is a disease characterized by a disorder of the structure of the intervertebral discs.
Their functions and the structure of bone tissue are disrupted, and the load on them increases. A numb big toe indicates the approximate location of the lesion. Osteochondrosis is diagnosed by X-ray examination of the lumbar spine.
Numbness of the big toe can be a signal of the development of a serious illness in the body. That is why, if the phalanges of the fingers or the entire foot begin to go numb, you need to consult a doctor. Why does my big toe go numb and what can I do about it? Many people take numbness lightly, not attaching the slightest importance to such manifestations. In some situations this is correct.
Osteochondrosis in a patient with spinal tuberculosis can cause sensitivity disorders. Tuberculosis can also affect bone structures. Diseases caused by metabolic disorders. Diabetes mellitus may be the cause of numbness in the big toe. With diabetes, trophism suffers and a complication develops - gangrene of the feet.
The big toe is the first to develop gangrene. The specialist will understand the symptoms and prescribe the necessary tests. Most often, numbness of the big toe is caused by the following diseases: Osteochondrosis is the most common cause. Associated with poor condition of intervertebral discs. The diagnosis is made on the basis of an x-ray of the lumbar spine. Numbness of the toes is directly related to pain in the lumbosacral spine. Polyneuropathy is a disorder of the peripheral nervous system caused by intoxication or other disruptions in metabolic processes.
This disease may be accompanied by diagnoses such as alcoholism, diabetes, etc.
Gout is a pathology associated with the deposition of salts in the joints. The risk group is older, overweight men who eat too much animal protein. A herniated disc is a disease accompanied by compression of nerve endings.
Goosebumps and loss of sensitivity in the feet occur after overload or prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position. If numbness occurs for no apparent reason, it is necessary to do so at regular intervals. More serious causes of numbness of the big toe are the presence of all sorts of ailments hiding in the area of the spinal column or affecting the joints.
If the hernia has formed in the lumbar region, one of the symptoms may be paresthesia of the big toes. Arthritis or arthrosis is inflammatory numbness of the big toe joints. Sciatica is inflammation or pinching of the sciatic nerve, the roots of which are located in the lumbosacral region. The sciatic nerve ends in the fingers of the lower extremities, so their numbness is directly related to this part of the body. Atherosclerosis is a narrowing and disruption of blood vessels due to the deposition of cholesterol plaques on their walls. If the femoral artery is affected by atherosclerosis, the consequence may be numbness of the fingers, and then the entire leg. The cause of anemia in the toes can be atherosclerosis, which narrows the arteries and impairs blood flow. Varicose veins are a disease associated with poor circulation in the extremities.
Same story, on Friday I went to airsoft and put on new ankle boots, as a result, my thumbs have been numb for 3 days. The sensations are not pleasant, but painful only on contact, in the area of the nail. This happened once, also after new shoes, and it took a very long time. There was no opportunity to visit a doctor, so I definitely went. I did constant massage and rubbing. There were also problems when my leg muscles cramped at night. I rubbed it with lemon, took vitamins, and it went away.
Another situation: the big toe of the right foot first goes numb, then turns red and hurts. Most often, these signs indicate that you have gout, a disease associated with the deposition of uric acid salts in the area of the thumb joint. It occurs most often in overweight men who abuse protein foods. Most often, the process is localized on the right, but sometimes the toe of the left foot, as well as the fingers, may become numb. Gout is treated by a rheumatologist.
Another neurological pathology that causes numbness in the toes is polyneuropathy. This is a complex disease of the peripheral nervous system, which is difficult to treat and can be caused by various metabolic disorders or intoxications, incl. alcoholic. It is polyneuropathy that is the leading cause of numbness in the distal parts of the lower extremities. With this disease, not only the big toe goes numb, but also other parts of the foot. Typical gait disturbances develop, which may persist forever even with adequate treatment.
We have listed several of the most common causes of numbness in the big toes. But this is not all pathology. Here is a list of diseases in which a patient may complain that the big toe on the right or left foot periodically goes numb:
This situation is accompanied by a tingling or itching sensation when removing shoes and sensitivity to the toe returns. Likewise, your big toes may become numb if your feet are cold or wet. The way out of the described situations is simple - just get rid of uncomfortable shoes, warm up, massage your feet.
In the legs there is also a phenomenon called peripheral neuropathy. This disease is quite terrible: if it is not provided in time, if the toes go numb, the treatment will no longer deal with the primary signs of neuropathy, but with non-healing wounds, terrible pain and a much more complex nature.
Another reason why a toe on the left or right foot goes numb may be a fracture, for example, of a toe joint or its bone. This is explained as follows: trauma, regardless of its nature, negatively affects nerve endings, damaging them or causing inflammation. As a result, numbness occurs. Even a simple blow to the toe can cause it.
Metabolism-related diseases are another cause of numbness in the toes. With a disease such as gout, the toes often go numb. With gout, blood circulation in the joints is impaired, and uric acid salt crystals begin to deposit in them. With this disease, in most cases, the big toe on one of the feet suffers pain and numbness, but sometimes it happens that both big toes go numb, but this happens in rare cases.
Also causes of numbness in the toes are diseases of the musculoskeletal system. These are scoliosis, osteochondrosis, radiculitis and various neurovascular disasters. In such cases, in most cases the numbness is localized in the tips of the toes of one foot or both feet. But the most common causes of numbness in the toes are diseases of such a group as polyneuropathy of the lower extremities and sciatica (this is pinching of the sciatic nerve).
For some people, it usually happens when their big toe pricks, as if with sharp needles, or there are sensations on the big toe, as if “goosebumps” are running all over it, or when it is not felt at all. All this indicates numbness of the thumb. The reasons may be different, and here are the main ones:
If your toe goes numb, then the first thing you need to pay attention to and check with a neurologist is the spine. Some may think that such a relationship is unrealistic, but we can cite as an example a lot of different symptoms that bother a person in one organ, but indicate a disease in another. Here are some examples:
Good afternoon A few months ago I noticed numbness in my left big toe. Partial loss of sensitivity of soft tissues on the side of the nail. I would like to clarify what measures need to be taken to diagnose and identify disorders or illnesses.
Hello, there is a slight numbness between the thumb and the second and part of the second finger, and if you lift these fingers up, you feel a sharp pain in this area, this has been observed for more than half a year. what could this be and which doctor should I contact? Thank you.
Oncological diseases lead to numbness of the fingers through tumor growth outside or inside the spinal cord, creating pressure, which in turn causes numbness. This process does not carry the danger that a person will not be able to walk. However, if the numbness is caused by the development of a tumor in the legs, then the risk that the person will quickly develop disability is very high.
And even if this unpleasant sensation is local in nature, for example, from time to time the big toe goes numb, you cannot ignore it. Following periodic loss of sensation in the toes, a fairly severe pain syndrome quickly sets in. This condition requires serious treatment, and the sooner it is started, the more likely success is.
Every person has at least once thought about why their toes go numb while sleeping or being in a forced position. Even small children sometimes experience a feeling of numbness in their fingers, which sometimes frightens them, it is so unpleasant. The baby can “sit out” while playing enthusiastically, sitting with his legs tucked under him. It can be easily calmed by rubbing or vigorously stroking the leg. This impromptu massage helps blood circulation.
Symptoms when the leg goes numb are expressed in the form of tingling in the lower extremities or the absence of any sensitivity. As a rule, this occurs when the vessels of the lower limb are compressed. If you change the position of the leg, then all unpleasant sensations and functions are restored after a short period of time.
Such symptoms are characteristic of chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, osteochondrosis. If such manifestations make themselves felt very often, this is a consequence of some disease. Contact a neurologist and phlebologist.
Diabetic neuropathy is quite common in patients with diabetes. The exact cause of the damage is unknown, but most likely it is a metabolic disorder and the destruction of small vessels in this disease, which leads to nerve damage. If numbness has already occurred, then it will not be possible to completely get rid of it. But the condition can be improved if you monitor your blood sugar levels more closely. If the numbness is significant, then you need to follow the doctor’s recommendations to avoid injury to the limbs and subsequent complications.
In common peroneal nerve compression syndrome, numbness or tingling is felt in the top of the foot or the inside of the leg. The peroneal nerve is a branch of the sciatic nerve and supplies the toes, feet, and legs. A knee injury, a fractured fibula, a shin splint, and even frequent crossing of the legs can lead to this syndrome. Treatment for numbness involves eliminating the cause. But sometimes a corticosteroid injection may be needed to reduce the swelling, and in some cases surgery is performed.
Hello, dear specialists! A 59-year-old woman, 50 days ago, underwent endoprosthetics surgery for her second hip joint. The operation to replace the first hip joint went well. The essence of the problem: in the knee area (10-15 cm in diameter around the knee) she constantly experiences severe pain and increased sensitivity, in her words: “lightly stroking the skin of the leg - I feel like strong friction” . The pain continues from the day of surgery, 50 days. Every day, in fits and starts, 4-5.
The disease does not go away on its own, and usually progresses if measures are not taken. Without timely treatment, the matter may end with the death of the muscle that is responsible for the mobility of the thumb. As a result, the person cannot bend this finger.
The roots of the spinal nerves between the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae are compressed due to osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia. Numbness of the fingers is usually unilateral, on the side of the pathological focus. In the initial stages of osteochondrosis, paresthesia of the hands occurs only during sleep in an uncomfortable body position, since this causes additional compression of the cervical spine. In advanced forms, the fingers go numb during the day.
Even if the numbness of the fingers is so mild that it practically does not interfere with normal life, but it constantly appears at rest or for no apparent reason, it is necessary to find time to visit the hospital and be examined.
The second reason for numbness of the big toe, which does not indicate a disease, is the wrong shoes. Tight socks, high heels and a long stay in such shoes lead to the disappearance of the sensitivity of the finger, which is pinched. The way out of this situation is very simple - you need to get rid of uncomfortable shoes, and choose new ones correctly, taking into account the size of the foot, its characteristics and the degree of daily load. Sometimes numbness occurs as a result of wet or cold feet.
Numbness of the fingers on the lower extremities, which is described as a loss of sensitivity and a further sensation of slight tingling, can indicate many diseases, most of which are associated with the spine. There are many reasons for this phenomenon and it is worth knowing about them in order to be able to figure out when to go to the hospital.
In such a situation, numbness of the thumb is only a minor symptom, but if it does not attract the person’s attention, then life-threatening disorders will develop with further abuse of alcohol or tobacco.
Particular attention should be paid to the loss of sensitivity in the toes, which occurs repeatedly and is not associated either with wearing shoes or with an uncomfortable, forced posture while sitting or lying down.