Tingling fingertips, numbness when you wake up, or trouble buttoning a shirt can be easy to brush off at first. But these are often early signs of neuropathy in the hands. Peripheral neuropathy happens when the nerves that carry signals between your brain and the rest of your body become damaged. It often starts in the feet, but it can affect the hands too, and it can make everyday tasks much harder than they should be.
What causes neuropathy in the hands?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, diabetes is the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S. Other common causes include:
- Chemotherapy and certain other medications
- Vitamin deficiencies, especially B12 (see the role of vitamins in fighting neuropathy)
- Heavy alcohol use
- Autoimmune conditions, infections, and kidney or liver disease
- Injury or repeated pressure on a nerve
Our guide to the causes of peripheral nerve damage covers these in more detail.
Common symptoms to watch for
Neuropathy in the hands can show up in different ways depending on which nerves are affected. Common symptoms include:
- Tingling or a pins and needles feeling
- Numbness, or a feeling like you are wearing gloves
- Burning, stabbing, or electric shock pain
- Weakness in your grip or dropping things more often
- Trouble with fine motor tasks like writing, typing, or fastening buttons
- Sensitivity to touch, even light contact
These symptoms are often worse at night. If you mostly notice burning pain or trouble sensing hot and cold, small nerve fibers may be involved. We explain that pattern in our post on small fiber neuropathy.
Is it neuropathy or carpal tunnel?
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve gets squeezed as it passes through the wrist. It usually affects the thumb, index, and middle fingers, and it often starts in one hand. Peripheral neuropathy tends to be more widespread. It often affects both hands and frequently the feet as well. Because the symptoms overlap, a proper evaluation is the best way to know what is going on.
How neuropathy in the hands is diagnosed
An evaluation usually starts with a conversation about your symptoms, health history, and medications. From there, your provider will check sensation, strength, and reflexes in your hands and feet. Blood work or nerve testing may also be recommended to help find the underlying cause.
Treatment options that can help
Treatment starts with addressing what is behind the nerve damage, whether that means managing blood sugar, correcting a vitamin deficiency, or cutting back on alcohol. Beyond that, there are nonsurgical options that can help relieve symptoms and support nerve health. Regenerative care focuses on supporting the body’s natural healing process, and electrical nerve stimulation can help calm nerve pain. You can learn more on our neuropathy treatment options page.
Don’t wait to get help for hand numbness
Nerve damage can progress over time, and getting help early gives you the best chance of protecting the strength and feeling in your hands. If you are dealing with tingling, numbness, or pain in your hands, schedule a consultation with our team. We will look at what is causing your symptoms and walk you through the options that make sense for you.
