You have probably already woken up with a numb hand or tingling in your fingers. The sensation often disappears quickly, but sometimes it persists and causes concern. When should you be alarmed? Dr Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical, explains the differences between simple tingling and more serious signals which should lead to consultation without delay.
Numbness or tingling: two distinct realities
“Numbness and paresthesia (tingling, tingling) are often confused, but they do not have the same origin or the same severity.“, specifies Dr. Kierzek straight away. The tingling, this feeling of “ants in the fingers”, is most often benign. It disappears when you move the hand or arm. “They can be linked to nerve compression as in carpal tunnel syndrome, poor circulation, or deficiencies (vitamin B12, magnesium)“, he adds. These sensations can also occur in cases of early diabetes or simply after a prolonged uncomfortable posture, such as sleeping on your arm.
When numbness becomes a warning signal
Numbness in an arm is not just a simple discomfort: it is a motor disorder. “This numbness can be caused by nerve damage, disc and cervical herniation, or even a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). They must be taken very seriously, especially if they appear suddenly“, insists the emergency physician. The rule to remember: if moving becomes difficult, you must act quickly.
“Call 15 immediately if you observe any of these signs.“
Symptoms that should alert you:
- Sudden muscle weakness, such as a dropping hand or immobile finger;
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Numbness accompanied by speech or vision problems;
- Asymmetrical signs affecting only one side of the body;
- Loss of coordination or feeling of “dead” limb after trauma.
“These signs can reveal serious damage: spinal cord compression, multiple sclerosis, severe neuropathy, or even Charcot disease in the rarest cases.“.
When to consult outside of an emergency?
Not all tingling sensations are a medical emergency. But if they become recurring, a visit is necessary. Dr. Kierzek advises consulting if the tingling is frequent at night, if it always affects the same hand, if a lasting loss of sensitivity is felt or if muscle strength decreases. “It is then preferable to consult a general practitioner or a neurologist, to explore the potential causes.“, warns Dr. Kierzek.
There are also impressive but not serious cases, such as “lovers’ paralysis”. “Also called ‘Saturday night syndrome’ or ‘honeymoon syndrome’, it occurs when one partner falls asleep on the other’s arm, causing prolonged compression of the radial nerve“, explains the doctor. The arm may then remain immobile or cold for a few minutes. “It is a transient paralysis linked to the temporary interruption of nerve signals, which usually disappears spontaneously within a few minutes after gently massaging and mobilizing the affected limb.“, he reassures. “But if the symptoms persist or repeat, a medical consultation is necessary.“.