You might think that numbness and tingling don't deserve serious care because these symptoms seem more benign than pain, but any unusual sensation is your body’s request for change. Numbness can be surprisingly debilitating. It even takes a toll on your emotional resources. It should be looked into as soon as possible, because it may indicate stroke, seizures, or circulation loss.

Numbness

Complete or partial numbness is usually a sign of damage or nerve compression, which can be caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, a slipped disc, or secondary problems related to diabetes. The hands and feet are more prone to this form of damage. Most numbness is not associated with strokes or tumors, but these causes must be ruled out by a doctor anyway. You can assist with diagnosis by keeping a diary of your symptoms, along with their time of day, your activity levels, and exercise. An EMG and MRI might be needed, but the more careful you are with recording your symptoms, the faster and more accurate your doctors will be.

Tingling

Tingling and numbness often coexist and even have the same causes sometimes. However, tingling can also be a sign of an insect bite, nutritional deficiencies, infection, and Raynaud’s Phenomenon. You’ll need a thyroid test and your physician might look for spinal cord swelling. Seizures and migraines can also cause strange sensations, including skin crawling. A toxicology screen, angiogram, and ultrasound might also be ordered, depending on your response to basic in-practice diagnostics.

The Creepy-Crawlies In Medical Terms

In addition to these two symptoms, you might experience formication—the sensation of bugs crawling on or under the skin. This latter symptom could be the result of medication side effects, so take a list of the pharmaceuticals you use to your appointment. The absence of pain doesn’t mean the absence of suffering, and you deserve care.