Numbness in the fingers is often caused by injury to the peripheral nerves, which are all the nerves in the body outside of the brain and spinal cord. Other common causes of numbness in the fingers are damage to the blood vessels or circulatory system disorders. Prickly or burning sensations, medically referred to as paresthesias, often occur in conjunction with numbness.
Alcoholic Neuropathy
Alcoholic neuropathy is damage to the blood vessels that occurs as a result of long-term alcohol abuse. Damage to the nerve is characterized by poisoning of the nerve from the alcohol and injury to the nerve that results from the malnutrition often associated with alcoholism. When the nerves are damaged, they cannot send signals from the brain properly. This results in abnormal sensations, such as numbness, prickliness and tingling, especially in the limbs and extremities, according to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health. Other common symptoms include muscle weakness, muscle cramps, muscle pain, urinary problems, constipation, diarrhea and vomiting. Some people may experience difficulty swallowing, difficulty speaking, muscle spasms and loss of muscle tissue. Treatment for alcoholic neuropathy usually consists of a combination of nutritional supplements, physical therapy and medications as well as alcohol intervention programs.
Pernicious Anemia
The body needs vitamin B12 to make healthy red blood cells and to maintain proper functioning of the nervous system. In order to properly absorb vitamin B12, the body requires a protein called intrinsic factor that is only made by the cells in the stomach. Pernicious anemia occurs when the body cannot make enough healthy red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12. This most often occurs as a result of lack of intrinsic factor, but other causes include inadequate intake of B12 in the diet, surgeries, infections and certain medications, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Without enough red blood cells, the tissues in the body do not receive enough oxygen. This causes fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches and chest pain. A lack of vitamin B12 also leads to nerve damage, which causes numbness and prickliness in the limbs and extremities, loss of reflexes, muscle weakness, unsteadiness and loss of balance. Pernicious anemia is usually treated with regular injections of B12. In less severe cases, oral supplementation may be sufficient.
Raynaud's Phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon is a blood vessel disorder characterized by abnormal constriction, called vasospasms, of the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, ears and nose. When the blood vessels constrict, blood cannot properly move through them, which causes changes to the skin color in these areas as well as coldness, numbness and paresthesias, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Symptoms may be present from a few minutes to several hours. Raynaud's phenomenon usually occurs as a result of an exaggerated body response to cold temperatures or increased stress. The clinic notes that most cases of Raynaud's phenomenon are treated with non-drug approaches that include increased exercise, avoiding triggers and keeping the hands and feet warm at all times. Some people may benefit from medications that relax the muscles and dilate the blood vessels.
