What Tingling in Your Hands Could Mean 

Almost everyone has experienced some tingling in their hands at one time or another. This tingling can feel like the classic “pins and needles,” numbness, burning, or reduced sensation in the hands. Oftentimes, this sensation is completely benign and doesn’t require any medical intervention. However, if this is happening frequently or is persistent, it is very likely that there is an underlying condition that should be identified. Failure to do so could result in permanent loss of function in your hands. Let’s take a deeper look at tingling in your hands and what it could mean.

What Causes Tingling in the Hands?

First, let’s talk about nerves. Your hand has nerves in it, which sends signals to your brain. They let your brain know if you’re touching something, if it’s warm, or if your hand is injured. When these nerves become compressed, irritated, or damaged, the signals cannot get through, which leads to a tingling sensation. But, what causes nerves to become compressed, irritated, or injured? Well, a number of things. Some are benign, while others are more serious.

Benign causes can include being cold or sleeping on your arm. When tingling is caused by these types of things, it should subside in a number of minutes. If tingling is persistent or recurring, then there’s likely a condition causing it. Let’s take a look at what this could be.

Common Causes of Hand Tingling

Some of the most common conditions that cause hand tingling include:

● Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This is a condition where the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the palm, is squeezed or compressed as it passes through a narrow, rigid passageway in the wrist known as the carpal tunnel. This causes feelings of numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain.

● Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: This is a condition where the ulnar nerve, which is in your elbow, becomes compressed or irritated as it passes through the narrow tunnel of muscle, ligament, and bone on the inside of your elbow. This also causes numbness, tingling or pain in the hand.

● Pinched Nerve in the Neck: It may seem strange that a pinched nerve in your neck could affect your hand, but it is quite common. This is usually the case if your hand tingling is accompanied by neck pain.

● Repetitive Motion Injuries: Using your hand to perform the same motion over and over again can cause inflammation, which compresses the nerves in your hand, leading to tingling.

If you’re experiencing hand tingling, it is very likely that one of the above conditions is the culprit.

Less Common Causes of Hand Tingling

There are some other causes of hand tingling that are much more rare. These include:

● Poor Circulation: Reduced blood flow can cause temporary numbness or tingling. This will often happen in lower temperatures.

● Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can cause inflammation that affects nerves, which can cause tingling in the hands.

● Hand or Wrist Injuries: Fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries in the arm, wrist, or hand may damage or compress nerves. This can cause tingling in the hands.

Though these are more rare, it is quite possible that your hand tingling is caused by one of these conditions.

Warning Signs That Should Not Be Ignored

Most people ignore hand tingling for quite some time before doing anything about it. This can be a mistake. There are warning signs that mean you should seek treatment as soon as possible. These include:

● Symptoms that persist for weeks or months.

● Progressive numbness.

● Hand weakness.

● Difficulty holding objects.

● Loss of fine motor skills.

● Symptoms that interfere with work, sleep, or daily activities.

If you are experiencing any of the above, it is time to seek help from a medical professional.

How a Specialist can help

If you think you need medical help with your hand tingling, you should find a hand specialist Boston residents rely on. One with good reviews and the proper credentials. They will be able to conduct a full exam, diagnose what is causing your hand tingling, and suggest a treatment plan. If you follow their directions, your hand tingling should go away in due time.