Numbness in your fingers results from several causes, ranging from remaining in one position too long to life-threatening conditions. Determining the source or reason for your numbness is essential to relieving your symptoms and perhaps preventing future occurrences. In some cases, failing to address numbness in your fingers may result in amputation of your extremities, or even death.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from pressure in the median nerve, which is located in the wrist. The median nerve is called a mixed nerve, because it performs sensory functions as well as sending signals related to the movement of your thumb and fingers, MayoClinic.com explains. Repetitive motion from activities such as typing, sewing, using hand-held power tools and throwing a ball in sports is a major cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, causing numbness in your hands. Taking frequent breaks and providing your hands and wrists with proper support help to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms, although severe cases often require surgery.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy results from nerve damage and often causes numbness in your hands and feet. It is a major complication of diabetes; approximately half of all diabetes patients develop the condition, according to MayoClinic.com. Other causes for peripheral neuropathy include trauma from accidents, alcoholism or tumors. Any numbness, pain or weakness in your extremities is reason to seek medical attention. Proper diagnosis and treatment may limit or perhaps prevent further nerve damage.
Frostbite
Frostbite may occur on any area of the body exposed for a prolonged time in extreme cold. Your extremities, along with your nose and ears, are the most likely areas to get numb. Frostbite causes your skin to feel hard, be cold to the touch and lack feeling or sensation. Less severe cases of frostbite, called frostnip, do not cause permanent damage. However, severe cases of frostbite may cause gangrene, which may require amputation of the affected area.
Stroke
Along with headache, confusion and dizziness, numbness or loss of feeling in one arm or on one side of your body is a warning sign of stroke. Signs and symptoms may occur suddenly or persist sporadically and slowly get worse. To avoid permanent damage from a severe stroke, you should receive medical treatment within 3 hours of the first symptoms.
