Pins and needles feels like pricking, tingling or numbness on the skin.
It happens when the blood supply to the nerves is cut off. This is usually when you sit or sleep on part of your body. Everyone can get pins and needles. It lasts only a few minutes.
You often get pins and needles in your:
- arms
- hands
- legs
- feet
It usually stops when the weight is taken off the body part and your blood supply returns to the nerves.
Symptoms of pins and needles
Symptoms of pins and needles include:
- pricking
- tingling
- numbness on the skin
Non-urgent advice: Talk to your GP if:
- you constantly have pins and needles
- it keeps coming back
- it lasts a long time
Possible causes of pins and needles
Pins and needles can be a symptom of certain conditions.
These include:
- Raynaud's disease
- hyperventilation
- sciatica
- multiple sclerosis
But just because you have pins and needles, does not mean you have a serious condition. Talk to your GP if you're worried.
Long-lasting pins and needles may also be caused by:
- treatments – such as chemotherapy
- some medicines – such as HIV medication, medication to prevent seizures, or some antibiotics
- toxic substances – such as lead or radiation
- poor diet
- nerve damage – after an injury or illness
- drinking too much alcohol
Treatment of pins and needles
If you have temporary pins and needles, you can ease the symptoms by simply taking the pressure off the affected area.
If you have chronic pins and needles, the treatment will depend on what has caused it. For example, if it is caused by an underlying condition, treatment will focus on controlling the condition to ease the symptoms.
Related conditions
Raynaud's disease
Pins and needles in fingers or toes that change colour from white to red is a symptom of Raynaud's disease.
Hyperventilation
Symptoms of hyperventilation can include breathing too quickly, trembling hands, pins and needles.
Sciatica
Sciatica is nerve pain. Pain and pins and needles that travels from your back, down your leg to your foot is a symptom of sciatica.
Multiple sclerosis
Pins and needles in different parts of your body is a symptom of multiple sclerosis.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
