Paresthesia

Paresthesia (pron. /ˌpɛɹɪsˈθiʒə/; paraesthesia in British English, pron. /ˌpæɹɪsˈθiʒə/) is a feeling of tingling, prickling, or numbness with no permanent effects. It is commonly called "pins and needles". This feeling may last a short while, or may be more long-lasting. A long-term effect means there is something wrong with neurons in the body.

An example of this can be felt when sitting cross-legged for a long time and your foot "falls asleep". The tingling feeling you get when you move is paresthesia.

Causes

Paresthesia has many known causes, including the following:

• Alcoholism
• Anticonvulsant drugs such as topiramate, sultiame, and acetazolamide
• Anxiety and/or Panic Disorder
• Decompression sickness
• Dehydration
• Fabry disease
• Fibromyalgia
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
• Heavy metals
• Hyperventilation
• Hyperkalemia
• Hypothyroidism
• Immune deficiency, such as Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
• Ingestion of Beta-alanine
• Lidocaine poisoning
• Lomotil
• Low blood-sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
• Menopause
• Migraines
• Multiple sclerosis
• Nitrous Oxide, long term exposure
• Obdormition
• Radiation poisoning
• Vitamin B5 deficiency
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Withdrawal from certain SSRIs, such as paroxetine

Other websites

• Paresthesia in detail Archived 2016-10-21 at the Wayback Machine
• What makes your arms, legs and feet fall asleep?