Life & Work

What you need to know about pins and needles

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The symptoms can appear as a tingling or prickling sensation on hands and feet. PHOTO | FILE

Pins and needles are a common phenomenon which most of us are familiar with even though we may not know that’s what they are called.

They can sometimes be accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, itching and numbness. In most cases, pins and needles are a temporary annoyance.

However, in some cases, they can be severe, even debilitating.

What exactly are pins and needles?

Pins and needles are a tingling or prickling sensation that is often felt in the hands or feet. They can sometimes also appear as a burning sensation or shooting pains that travel down an arm or leg.

This happens because pressure cuts off the blood supply to nerves that carry messages about sensation to the brain. Persistent pins and needles, burning sensations or numbness is medically known as ‘peripheral neuropathy’.

Everyday activities

This often happens after you’ve been in an awkward sitting or sleeping position, such as crossed legs or falling asleep on an arm. Putting weight on a body part (for example, by kneeling) or wearing tight shoes or socks can also cause temporary cause numbness and pins and needles.

Temporary pins and needles can be eased by simply taking the pressure off the affected area. This will allow your blood supply to return, relieving the numbness or tingling sensation.

Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy in the world. It damages the small blood vessels that supply nerves to the fingers and toes. In most cases, the first symptom is pins and needles, numbness or a burning sensation in both hands and feet.

If the blood sugar is not well-controlled, the nerve damage gets worse. In some cases, the nerve damage is so severe that the person loses sensation in both feet and hands. It is not unusual to have diabetics come into hospital with cuts, pricks and burns to their hands and feet yet they cannot tell when exactly when they got injured because they did not feel it.

Diet issues

Vitamins and minerals are crucial for healthy nerves. In particular vitamins E, B1, B6, B12, and niacin are of vital importance.

These nutrients are obtained from plants, vegetables, nuts and meat products. Groups that are particularly vulnerable to deficiencies are alcoholics, people who have had stomach surgery and people who tend to eat large amounts of carbohydrates with little vegetable/fruit/meat intake and those who go on fad diets.

Alcohol abuse

Alcohol abuse can damage nerves (a condition known as alcoholic neuropathy). In addition, alcoholics are more likely to have vitamin B1 deficiencies which are also associated with neuropathy. The vitamin deficiency is thought to be due to poor feeding habits.

Trapped nerves

A slipped disc or back problem can put pressure on a nerve that travels from your back, down your leg and into your toes. This results in shooting pains down your leg. A slipped disc in your neck can also cause the same type of shooting pain down your arm.

A trapped nerve at the wrist can give you pain, numbness, pins and needles in your hand. It can also cause a loss of grip (you find that you can no longer give someone a firm handshake or hold a cup or spoon easily).

Trauma-related issues

During an accident or a fall, nerves can be compressed, crushed, or damaged, resulting in constant pain, numbness and pins and needles. A dislocated bone can also press on a nerve and damage it.

Medical conditions

These include kidney disorders, liver disease, hormonal imbalances (like an underactive thyroid), lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and diseases of the brain. These include stroke, brain tumour, multiple sclerosis and brain infections. Growths (including cancers) in the neck, armpit, pelvis, arms and legs can press on nerves and lead to pins and needles.

Occupational hazards and toxins

People who use vibrating tools a lot may also develop nerve damage and may experience pins and needles. These include people who use welding and drilling equipment. People also exposed to toxins such as lead, arsenic, mercury and some industrial and environmental chemicals can also develop unusual sensations over time.

Infections

Certain infections affect the nerves (usually permanently). These include HIV/Aids, Lyme disease, shingles and herpes. Drugs used to manage cancer, viruses (including HIV) and certain antibiotics have also been associated with pins and needles and numbness.

What can you do to reduce pins and needles/numbness?

Watch your wardrobe: Remove any tight clothing/shoes if you get numb. Avoid wearing them in future.

Keep changing your position: If you get pins and needles, get up and shake the limb if you have been sitting/leaning on it for a long time. Go for a short walk.

Work on your diet: Look for foods rich in vitamins B1, B6, B12, E and niacin. If you feel you are not getting enough despite trying to eat healthily, talk to your doctor about taking supplements (usually in tablet/capsule form).

Nutritionists are also invaluable in helping you find the right dietary balance for you and your family. It is in the best interest for all diabetics to be reviewed by a nutritionist on a regular basis. Apart from improving symptoms associated with peripheral neuropathy, a good diet can reduce the amount of medication you need to control your diabetes.

Avoid excess alcohol: Limit your drink maximum to 2 units per day (for men) and 1 unit per day (for women). This amount should be reduced (or completely eliminated) if you have another health condition such as kidney or liver disease.

When to see your doctor

All people with long-standing medical conditions such as diabetes, stroke, lupus etc. need to be in constant touch with their doctor. When medical conditions are well-controlled, the likelihood of getting severe peripheral neuropathy is reduced.

If you are seeing a doctor for the first time, he/she will take a thorough history of your symptoms and look for any clues on your body that might give them an idea of what is going on in your body. In most cases, a few tests will be done.

Successful treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis and treatment of the underlying cause of the pins and needles/numbness. In cases where the nerves are damaged, the doctor may prescribe some medication to reduce the symptoms.