A tingling or burning feeling, often described as a feeling of pins and needles, accompanies numbness, a condition medically known as paresthesia. Paresthesia commonly occurs in the fingers, hands, feet, toes, arms or legs, says MedlinePlus from the National Institutes of Health. Although nonmedical factors can contribute to toe numbness, such as shoes fitting improperly, it can also occur due to nerve damage, inadequate blood circulation or disease.
Degenerative Disc Disease
The spine consists of a series of bones, called vertebrae, linked together with gel-like discs between each bone to provide cushion. Over time, these spinal discs show signs of wear and tear. When the discs become damaged enough to cause back pain, doctors diagnose the condition as degenerative disc disease. The symptoms of degenerative disc disease depend upon which discs become damaged. Damage to the discs in the lower back can cause sciatica, a condition that affects the sciatic nerve, causing pain that radiates from the back down to the buttock and the legs, as described by MayoClinic.com. In addition to pain and muscle weakness, sciatica causes numbness in the feet and toes.
Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral artery disease, PAD, describes a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the head, organs and extremities become blocked due to a buildup of plaque---a fatty substance consisting of cholesterol, calcium and fibrous tissue. PAD commonly affects the legs, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, restricting the flow of blood to the feet. In addition to numbness of the feet and toes, PAD causes pain and increases the risk of infection.
Raynaud's Syndrome
Raynaud's syndrome, also called Raynaud's phenomenon, describes a condition characterized by the sensation of coldness, burning pain or numbness in the fingers or toes. Raynaud's syndrome occurs when the blood vessels in the toes spasm, restricting the flow of blood. This phenomenon, which affects approximately 3 to 5 percent of the population, according to the Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals, can occur as a result of another disease, known as secondary Raynaud's phenomenon, or on its own without a sign of any other disorder, known as primary Raynaud's syndrome. Several contributing factors can trigger Raynaud's phenomenon including exposure to cold and emotional stress.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, a chronic central nervous system disorder, occurs when the body's immune system attacks the protective coating surrounding the nerves, known as myelin. This immune system response causes scar tissue to build up around the nerves, resulting in nerve damage that can interfere with the ability of the nerves to send and receive signals. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society reports numbness as one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The numbness usually affects the face and extremities, including the toes.
