Peripheral Neuropathy: Symptoms, Causes and Care
Common symptoms
Mayo Clinic lists numbness, tingling, sharp or burning pain, extreme sensitivity to touch, poor coordination, and muscle weakness as common symptoms, usually starting in the hands or feet. When nerves controlling automatic body functions are involved, heat intolerance, abnormal sweating, or digestive changes can occur.
Possible causes
Diabetes is among the most common causes. NINDS also lists vitamin B12 deficiency, excess vitamin B6, certain medications (including some cancer treatments), infections such as shingles, and compressed nerves (as in carpal tunnel syndrome) as contributors.
Everyday care and evaluation
Identifying and addressing the underlying cause, when possible, is central to treatment. NINDS notes that symptoms range from mild to severe and are rarely life-threatening, and some people improve without specific treatment once the underlying cause is addressed.
- Symptoms typically start in the hands or feet and can include numbness, tingling, or burning pain.
- Diabetes, vitamin imbalances, certain medications, and nerve compression are common causes.
- Addressing the underlying cause is usually central to managing the condition.
- New numbness, tingling, or weakness, especially if it is spreading or worsening.
- Known diabetes with any new foot sensation changes (higher injury risk if sensation is reduced).
