Numbness in hands

Definition

Numbness in one or both hands describes a loss of feeling in the hands or fingers. Numbness in hands often happens with other changes, such as a pins-and-needles feeling, burning or tingling. Your arm, hand or fingers may feel clumsy or weak.

Numbness can happen along a single nerve in one hand or both hands.

Causes

Hand numbness may be caused by damage, irritation, or compression of a nerve or a branch of a nerve in your arm and wrist.

Diseases that affect the peripheral nerves, such as diabetes, also can cause numbness. But diabetes usually causes numbness in the feet first.

It is not common for hand numbness to be caused by issues in the brain or spinal cord. When this happens, weakness or trouble using your arm or hand also happens. Numbness alone usually isn't linked to conditions that could be dangerous, such as strokes or tumors.

Your healthcare professional needs detailed information about your symptoms to diagnose the cause of numbness. You may need several different tests to confirm the cause of your numbness before treatment can begin.

Possible causes of numbness in one or both of your hands include:

Brain and nervous system conditions

• Cervical spondylosis
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Paraneoplastic syndromes of the nervous system
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke

Trauma or overuse injuries

• Brachial plexus injury
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Frostbite

Chronic conditions

• Alcohol use disorder
• Amyloidosis
• Diabetes
• Multiple sclerosis
• Raynaud's disease
• Sjogren's syndrome

Infectious diseases

• Lyme disease
• Syphilis

Treatment side effects

• Chemotherapy or HIV drugs

Other causes

• Ganglion cyst
• Vasculitis
• Vitamin B-12 deficiency

When to see a doctor

If numbness persists or spreads to other parts of your body, consult your healthcare professional.

Treatment of numbness in your hands depends on the cause.

Call 911 or get emergency medical help if your numbness:

Begins suddenly, especially if you also have weakness or paralysis, confusion, trouble talking, dizziness, or a sudden, very bad headache.

Schedule an office visit if your numbness:

• Begins or worsens gradually and persists.
• Spreads to other parts of your body.
• Affects both sides of your body.
• Comes and goes.
• Seems related to specific tasks or activities, particularly repetitive motions.
• Affects only a part of your hand, such as a finger.