Pins and needles

Most commonly, pins and needles are felt in:

• Your fingers
• Your hands
• Your feet
• Your arms
• Your legs

It can be caused by:                                          

• A trapped nerve
• Pressure on the blood supply to the area of skin affected
• An underlying condition

It usually only lasts for a few minutes, until the blood supply is returned. However, chronic (long-term) pins and needles may require treatment for an underlying problem.

The most common cause is simply sitting or lying awkwardly, such as cross-legged.

However, long lasting pins and needles could be caused by an underlying condition, such as:

• Diabetes – the most common cause of chronic pins and needles
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Multiple sclerosis
• Sciatica

Pins and needles can also be caused by:

• Drinking too much alcohol
• Nerve damage
• Poor diet
• Some medications – such as chemotherapy
• Toxic substances

You should see your GP if you have constant pins and needles or if it keeps coming back. They’ll discuss your symptoms and carry out an examination which may include:

• Seeing if you can feel a pinprick on your skin
• Taking your blood pressure and pulse
• Blood test for anaemia, vitamin 12 deficiency or diabetes

If these tests are inconclusive, you may be referred for further tests on your heart and nervous system.

You can avoid pins and needles by:

• Wearing loose clothing or shoes
• Sitting comfortably, for example without putting pressure on your foot
• Avoid using vibrating tools such as hammer drills or grinders

Long term pins and needles will require treatment for the underlying cause. This can include:

• Medication to help you manage certain conditions like diabetes and multiple sclerosis
• Surgery – for example to relieve a trapped nerve for example carpal tunnel surgery
• Physiotherapy – for example to help sciatica