A tingling sensation, often described as “pins and needles,” is medically termed paresthesia. This common experience can manifest as prickling, burning, or numbness on or beneath the skin. While often harmless, it can sometimes signal a more significant underlying health issue. Tingling, especially at night, can be particularly noticeable, prompting concern about its origins.
Common Temporary Reasons
Many instances of nighttime tingling stem from temporary, harmless situations. A frequent cause is positional compression, occurring when sustained pressure is applied to a nerve, such as sleeping on an arm or sitting with legs crossed. This pressure temporarily restricts nerve impulses and blood flow, leading to the familiar “pins and needles” sensation as the nerve regains function. Once pressure is relieved and blood supply restored, the tingling typically subsides.
Temporary nerve irritation from minor injuries is another common scenario. Bumping the “funny bone,” which irritates the ulnar nerve, can produce a brief, shock-like tingling. Mild dehydration can also contribute to temporary paresthesia by affecting nerve function. These temporary causes usually resolve once the inciting factor is removed.
Underlying Health Conditions
Persistent or recurring tingling at night may indicate an underlying health condition affecting the nervous system or circulation. Peripheral neuropathy, damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, is one cause. This nerve damage can result from conditions like diabetes, where high blood sugar levels lead to diabetic neuropathy. Damaged nerves struggle to send signals, causing tingling, numbness, or burning, often worse at night.
Nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of B vitamins like B12, can also induce paresthesia. Vitamin B12 is crucial for maintaining the myelin sheath, a protective layer around nerves. Without sufficient B12, nerves can be damaged, leading to tingling in the hands and feet. Other B vitamin deficiencies can similarly affect nerve health.
Circulatory problems can cause tingling by reducing blood flow to the extremities. Conditions like peripheral artery disease (PAD), where arteries narrow due to plaque buildup, can lead to insufficient oxygen and nutrient delivery to nerves, resulting in numbness and tingling. Raynaud’s phenomenon, which causes blood vessels to narrow in response to cold or stress, can also restrict blood flow and induce tingling.
Nerve compression syndromes, distinct from temporary positional pressure, can also cause persistent tingling. Carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, arises from pressure on the median nerve in the wrist, often causing tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand and fingers, frequently worsening at night. A pinched nerve, where surrounding tissues put pressure on a nerve, can also result in tingling, numbness, and pain that may radiate. These conditions can arise from repetitive movements or structural issues.
Neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), can also present with tingling. In MS, the immune system attacks the myelin sheath in the central nervous system, disrupting nerve signals and causing sensory symptoms. Tingling can be an early symptom of MS and may occur in different body parts. Anxiety can also trigger tingling sensations. During anxiety, the body’s stress response can constrict blood vessels, leading to reduced circulation in the extremities and sensations of numbness or tingling. Hyperventilation during anxiety can also lower carbon dioxide levels, affecting nerve function and causing tingling.
When to Consult a Doctor
While occasional tingling is often benign, certain characteristics warrant medical evaluation. Consult a healthcare provider if tingling is persistent, lacks an obvious temporary cause, or frequently recurs. Tingling that gradually worsens or interferes with daily activities also warrants a medical visit.
Seek medical attention if tingling is accompanied by other symptoms. These “red flags” include muscle weakness, numbness, or pain in the affected area. Other concerning signs are sudden onset of tingling, especially if it affects one side of the body, or if it occurs alongside dizziness, loss of balance, trouble walking, or changes in vision or speech. Immediate medical help is necessary if tingling occurs after a head, neck, or back injury, or with loss of bladder or bowel control. These symptoms can indicate serious issues requiring prompt diagnosis and treatment.