
Being unable to feel anything in your hands and feet can be dangerous, as you may stumble, drop things or not realise when you are touching something hot. This can cause pins and needles, pain or numbness in the hands and feet (peripheral neuropathy). Diabetesĭiabetes can damage small blood vessels that supply nerves in fingers and toes. Other examples are thoracic outlet syndrome and spinal stenosis. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a trapped nerve at the wrist, giving you pins and needles and pain in the hand and loss of grip. A trapped nerve in the neck can also cause numbness or pins and needles anywhere from your neck, down your arms and into your fingers. A slipped disc or back problem can put pressure on a nerve that travels from your spinal cord, down your leg and into your toes. Numbness or pins and needles can also be due to a trapped nerve. Persistent numbness of the hands can affect your grip and make you prone to burns and injury. Persistent numbness of the feet can lead to falls which can be serious in the elderly. In all other cases, you should see your GP. If you have lots of attacks, or you hurt yourself because of the numbness, your GP may want you to see a specialist. You should also go if you have signs of a neurological disease (worsening loss of power or sensation in part of the body, difficulty walking, falls). If the attacks of numbness/pins and needles recur or you do not make a complete recovery, you should see your doctor soon to seek medical information. You should dial 999/112/911 to call an ambulance if you notice you have a loss of power down one side of your body (a possible stroke). When should I be worried about pins and needles?
#Pins and needles in hands and feet driver
If in doubt, contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Avoid vitamin B12 deficiency by eating a mixed diet or have a blood test to check whether you need supplements.ĭriving is not a problem for simple numbness/pins and needles but restrictions apply if the situation is more complicated or if diagnosis is less clear.Control diabetes, if you have it, with diet, medication and regular check-ups.Avoiding poor posture - consider doing yoga or Pilates.
