A loss of feeling or sensitivity in a particular part of the body is referred to as numbness. If your fingertips feel numb, there can be many reasons for it.
For instance, numb fingertips can be the underlying cause of some pre-existing or serious condition.
With the help of this blog, we can explore some of these reasons and help you answer the question, “why are my fingertips numb?’
So, let’s get started and take you one step closer to finding some comfort.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel is at the top of the list and is one of the most common reasons that can cause numbness in your hands.
So let’s see what causes the issue. A passageway at the base of the hand is called Carpal Tunnel.
With the median nerve passing through it, it’s common for the nerve to get pinched. When that happens, it can cause numbness in fingers, itching, and even pain.
Now you may wonder what causes Carpal Tunnel.
There are several causes of the syndrome, which include genetics, repetitive hand use, pregnancy and wrist position.
Out of all of them, genetics is likely the most important factor here.
The diagnosis of the syndrome is made by a registered physician who takes a detailed history of the patient and also inquires about some of the other issues that the patient might be going through.
The easiest and simple treatment for Carpal Tunnel is a change in the lifestyle of the patient.
By shifting the weight off of the hands, it’s possible to get some relief from the nerve pain.
The patient might be recommended by doctors to limit the use of their hands until the inflammation goes down.
A splint is also an effective way to deal with the issue and it also prevents any numbness in hands.
If the initial measures don’t work, the last resort is to use steroid injections or surgery to reduce the inflammation of the median nerve.
So, if your life is getting sidetracked because of numb fingertips, there may be a chance you are suffering from the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
This is a musculoskeletal chronic pain condition that is known to develop trigger points in the body that cause pain and discomfort.
It happens because the muscles in the area form ropey bands, which cause deep pain.
It is a constant discomfort, but the pain can get worse if the affected muscle is strained in any way.
Although most of these taut points occur because of muscle overuse or stress, repetitive activities of the same muscles is also a likely cause.
All of these factors cause distress for the patient so it’s hard to pinpoint the exact factor that is behind the issue.
Some of the contributing factors are;
- obesity
- anxiety
- smoking
- depression
- lack of sleep
- poor posture
- inflammation
- hormonal changes
- generalized fatigue
- nutritional deficiencies
- intense cooling of muscles
- lack of exercise or movement
- injury to the musculoskeletal system or intervertebral disks
Peripheral Neuropathy
The peripheral nervous system helps to transmit signals all over the body, which means it has wide access.
Any problems that occur within the system have a significant effect on the movements.
If the wide network of nerves gets damaged, it can also lead to the loss of feeling in hands and feet.
So if you have been thinking ‘why are my fingertips numb?’ it may have something to do with nerve damage and if you don’t seek proper treatment, the symptoms can get worse.
The cause of peripheral neuropathy can easily be divided into two categories.
The condition is either genetic, which means the patient has inherited it from the family or they have acquired it because of some other disease.
Some of the causes of acquired peripheral neuropathy are injuries, hypothyroidism, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, etc.
The physician will have to perform tests to prove that a patient has peripheral neuropathy or not and the treatment varies from patient to patient.
The treatment depends on the nerve that has been damaged and the specific symptom also varies accordingly.
Common Tests To Test Nerve Damage
Since most cases of numbness in hands are caused because of nerve damage, several tests can help pinpoint the exact problem area and guide the physicians to the best treatment method for each individual case.
· Electromyography
The test helps to evaluate the function of nerves. The test uses needles that are inserted in the affected muscles.
It is a bit uncomfortable, but the discomfort goes away soon after the test.
· Lumbar Puncture
This test isn’t normally recommended by doctors, but if the patient is at risk of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) or has similar symptoms, the physician might ask the patient to go for this test.
· Brain MRI Or CT Scan
Your physician may ask for a CT scan or a brain MRI if there are chances that the numbness in hands is because of a stroke.
Now that you have a clear picture of what can cause numbness in your hands, it’s time for you to take action before the symptoms get any worse.
When the discomfort starts to interfere with your everyday life or appears only during certain activities, make sure you seek professional help.
Get in touch with your local GP and get some tests done. Follow the medical advice you get and surely, with time and proper care, you’ll be able to get back on track.
This account is run by a team of writers, researches, and more who simply love contributing to the site.