What Is Paresthesia?
Paresthesia is an unusual skin sensation that may feel like tingling, prickling, burning, itching, or pins and needles. The sensation can occur without an outside cause. It often affects the feet, legs, hands, or arms when nerves send altered signals. Paresthesia may be temporary or may continue with nerve conditions such as diabetic neuropathy.
Quick Facts About Paresthesia
Category
Nerve sensation
Used for
Describing tingling and prickling
Common confusion
Complete numbness
Also called
Pins And Needles, Tingling sensation
Often discussed with
Diabetic Neuropathy Treatment, Neuropathy Treatment
Key Takeaways About Paresthesia
- Paresthesia involves altered sensation, not only pain.
- The feeling may affect areas supplied by irritated nerves.
- Paresthesia isn't the same as complete loss of sensation.
How Paresthesia Works
Paresthesia reflects a change in how nerves send sensory signals to the brain. The brain may read those signals as tingling, prickling, burning, or crawling. The feeling can stay in one area or follow the path of a nerve.
Related glossary terms: Neuropathic Pain, Peripheral Nerve, Nerve Conduction Study.
Healthcare professionals ask where the sensation occurs, when it began, and what makes it better or worse. They may check touch, temperature, reflexes, strength, and the skin area involved. A nerve conduction study or other testing may help assess nerve signal function when the cause needs more review.
Diabetic neuropathy may affect nerves in the feet and lower legs. Paresthesia can then appear during rest, walking, or sleep. The sensation may occur with pain, weakness, or changes in balance.
From the Premier Injury Specialists team
When we assess paresthesia in diabetic neuropathy cases, we ask about its location, pattern, timing, and effect on daily activities. We also compare the reported sensation with strength, reflexes, skin findings, and other nerve symptoms. This helps our team document changes clearly and guide the clinical evaluation.
Paresthesia in Practice: A Real-World Example
A person with diabetic neuropathy may notice a pins-and-needles feeling in both feet while resting at night. The person may also describe burning or reduced feeling in the same areas.
Related Services
Related Terms
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathic Pain is pain caused by damaged nerves or abnormal nerve signals. The pain may feel…
Peripheral Nerve
Peripheral Nerve is a nerve outside the brain and spinal cord that carries signals between the…
Nerve Conduction Study
A Nerve Conduction Study is a test that checks how well electrical signals travel through peripheral…
Weakness
Weakness is reduced muscle strength that makes a movement harder to perform or control. It can…
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Have Questions About Paresthesia?
Contact Premier Injury Specialists for practical guidance on Paresthesia and related pain management physician work in Stockbridge.