Understanding Hand Numbness: Causes, Symptoms & When to See a Doctor

Hand numbness is a result of a loss of feeling or sensation in the hand or fingers. Many times hand numbness coincides with a burning or tingling feeling and can include weakness or pain.

Significance

• Hand numbness could be the symptom of a very serious condition such as a stroke, but also could be something as minor as a vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Types

• A variety of conditions might cause hand numbness including stroke, Lyme disease, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, a spinal-cord injury, carpel tunnel syndrome or other types of disorders that affect the nervous system.

Misconceptions

• Hand numbness can sometimes be misdiagnosed as psychological disorder or an anxiety condition.

Warning

• Hand numbness could be a sign of a stroke when the numbness begins suddenly, the numbness expands to an entire arm or numbness is accompanied by paralysis, confusion, dizziness, a severe headache or results in difficulty talking.

Expert Insight

• If you are experiencing hand numbness you should consult a doctor or health-care professional to diagnose the problem and receive treatment.