COVID-19, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, primarily affects the respiratory system but can also manifest with a variety of other symptoms throughout the body. Among these diverse effects, some individuals experience neurological symptoms, including numbness. This sensation, often described as a loss of feeling or a “pins and needles” sensation, can be unsettling. Understanding the relationship between COVID-19 and such neurological manifestations helps clarify the virus’s full impact.
Understanding the Connection
Numbness, particularly peripheral neuropathy, has been identified as a symptom that can occur during the acute phase of COVID-19 infection and persist afterward. Research indicates that individuals who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus were about three times more likely to report pain, numbness, or tingling in their hands and feet compared to those who tested negative. This suggests a notable association between the infection and the development of these sensations.
A study involving over 1,500 people during the pandemic’s early phase found that nearly 30% of those with a positive COVID-19 test reported neuropathy problems at the time of their diagnosis. For a smaller percentage, specifically 6% to 7% of these individuals, the symptoms lingered for at least two weeks and up to three months. Another study found that as many as 56% of COVID-19 patients reported symptoms of peripheral neuropathy following their infection.
Mechanisms Behind Numbness
The development of numbness in the context of COVID-19 is thought to involve several biological processes, primarily related to the body’s response to the viral infection rather than direct viral damage to nerves. One significant pathway involves the immune system. The virus can trigger a dysfunctional immune response, leading to inflammation of nerve tissue, a condition known as neuropathy. This can include the formation of autoantibodies, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own proteins, including those in the nervous system, causing damage and inflammation.
Blood clotting issues also contribute to neurological symptoms. A protein called fibrin, involved in blood coagulation, can become toxic in COVID-19. This leads to the formation of unusual clots, inflammation, and potential loss of neurons, which can manifest as neurological symptoms. These clots can disrupt blood flow, leading to reduced oxygen supply (hypoxia) to various tissues, including the brain and nerves, further contributing to nerve dysfunction. While some viral infections can directly damage nerves, current understanding suggests that for COVID-19, immune-mediated mechanisms and secondary effects like blood clotting and hypoxia are more commonly implicated in causing peripheral neuropathy.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Experiencing numbness can be concerning, and certain signs indicate the need for prompt medical evaluation. Seek emergency medical attention if numbness begins suddenly, especially if accompanied by weakness or paralysis, confusion, difficulty speaking, dizziness, or a severe headache. Immediate care is also warranted if numbness affects one entire arm or leg, spreads rapidly, occurs below a specific body level, follows a recent head, neck, or back injury, or is accompanied by loss of muscle control or issues with bladder or bowel function.
For numbness that develops more gradually, comes and goes, or seems related to specific activities, scheduling an appointment with a healthcare provider is appropriate. This includes numbness that affects both sides of the body, persists without an obvious cause, or is accompanied by fatigue, vision problems, muscle cramps, or back or neck pain. A professional medical evaluation can help determine the underlying cause and guide appropriate management.
Numbness and Long COVID
Numbness and tingling are recognized as persistent symptoms that can extend beyond the acute phase of COVID-19, forming part of what is commonly known as Long COVID, or Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC). These neurological symptoms can linger for weeks to many months after the initial infection has resolved.
Small fiber neuropathy, a condition affecting the small nerve fibers in the skin, has been frequently observed in patients with Long COVID, often beginning within one month of the initial infection. The persistence of numbness in Long COVID is often linked to ongoing immune system dysfunction, where the body’s inflammatory response continues to impact nerve health. While the exact mechanisms underlying Long COVID symptoms are still being investigated, and clear diagnostic criteria remain undefined, managing these lingering neurological effects typically involves supportive care tailored to the individual’s symptoms.