7 Reasons Why You’ve Got A Pins-And-Needles Sensation In Your Hands And ...

7 Reasons Why You’ve Got A Pins-And-Needles Sensation In Your Hands And Feet



You probably know what it feels like to have a pins-and-needles sensation in your hands or feet after sleeping in an awkward position or keeping your legs crossed for too long. It's annoying, but you shake things out a bit and move on, no harm done. But if you have frequent or long-lasting tingling sensations, it's time to head to the doctor.

"When someone complains of numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, we look at when it started and how it has progressed because that gives us some insight into the causes," explains Stanley Iyadurai, M.D., an assistant professor of neuromuscular medicine at Ohio State University. "If we can identify the root cause of the problem, we can treat it or control the symptoms with medicines."

To get to the bottom of this issue—which doctors call neuropathy—you may need blood tests, imaging exams like an MRI or CT scan, or a test called an electromyogram (EMG), which measures the electrical activity in your muscles. In the meantime, here's a look at seven of the most common causes of tingling in the hands and feet.