

With some injuries, however, paresthesias can last longer. So the abnormal sensation that results typically goes away in seconds to minutes. If the injury isn’t serious or the pressure on the blood vessels is short-lived, the nerves usually recover quickly. Hitting your elbow on a hard surface and sitting on the toilet for too long (until your legs go numb) are common examples of nerve injury and compression. But paresthesias also result from nerve compression or injury and temporary loss of blood supply. They can be caused by neuropathy linked to nutritional deficiencies (like with B vitamins), diabetes, infections, and exposure to toxins like alcohol and heavy metals. Paresthesias have a wide range of causes. But if they persist, it’s a good idea to talk to your medical provider. In many cases, these sensations go away on their own. It can feel like the affected part of your body has “fallen asleep.” Common sensations include: What are the symptoms of a paresthesia?Ī paresthesia is actually a symptom itself. Let’s talk about why paresthesias arise, what they could mean, and what to do about them. But, if they are due to an ongoing medical problem, they could persist. Paresthesias usually go away with time, as in the case of your foot falling asleep. But they can have many causes, some of which are more serious than others. Paresthesias are usually symptoms of some kind of nerve dysfunction, known medically as neuropathy. They are most common in the legs, feet, hands, and arms. These sensations are called paresthesias. Most of us have experienced the sensation of a hand or foot “falling asleep” before: feelings like numbness, pins and needles, and sometimes shooting pain.
