Tingling in the hands is a common symptom of several health conditions.
Consult your healthcare provider if hand tingling continues or worsens.
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Olena Domanytska / Getty Images
Anywhere along the way, an injury or inflammation can pinch the nerves.
Tingling is a classic symptom of nerve compression.
However, you may also have pain, burning, or numbness.
In advanced cases, you may also have hand clumsiness and have difficulty picking up or holding items.
You may also experience muscle weakness and cramps.
Poor Circulation
Blood flow problems can cause tingling in different parts of the body, including the hands.
Older adults with atrophic gastritis are also at risk because this condition limits B12 absorption.
Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disordercan lead to poor absorption of nutrients like thiamine (vitamin B1).
Autoimmune conditionsassociated with hand tingling include:
Hand tingling and numbness may occur before other signs of rheumatoid arthritis.
Medications
Tingling in the hands can be a side effect of medications.
Some drugs or combinations of drugs can lead to nerve damage (neuropathy).
If the damaged nerve supplies the wrist or hand, it could cause tingling in the hand.
If the problem is temporary, it’s probably not something to worry about.
Diagnostic procedures may include:
Treatment
Treatment for tingling in the hands depends on the underlying cause.
Depending on the underlying cause, your treatment may include medication or specific therapies for the condition.
Easingdiabetic neuropathymay require medication(s) and lifestyle changes.
If alcohol misuse is the issue, correcting vitamin deficiencies and long-term counseling can help.
Medications can also cause tingling in the hands as a side effect.
If the tingling recurs or does not subside, consult your healthcare provider.
Tingling with other symptoms like paralysis or slurred speech should be treated as a medical emergency.
The Ohio State University: Wexner Medical Center.Nerve damage in the hand, wrist, or elbow.
CDC:Diabetes
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Peripheral neuropathy.
MedlinePlus.Neuropathy secondary to drugs.
NationalInstitutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin B12.
Harvard Health Publishing - Harvard Medical School.Vitamin B12 deficiency can be sneaky and harmful.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Up-to-Date Patient Education.Rheumatoid symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics).
Mount Sinai.Numbness and tingling.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hand pain and problems.
