It can come and go, and it may be more noticeable at times.
Hand numbness can feel like:
Sometimes hand numbness is associated with hand or arm weakness.
This can cause a temporary sense that your hand fell asleep, which feels like tingling.
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This sensation will usually go away within a few minutes.
Damage to any part of this pathway can cause hand numbness.
Cervical spine problems may cause numbness in one or both hands.
What Medications Can Cause Numbness in the Hands?
Most medications that cause neuropathy can cause hand numbness.
Treatment can include symptomatic therapy to relieve associated pain in your hands.
Treatments for hand numbness depend on the cause and can include:
You may need a combination of therapies.
For example, you would likely need physical therapy after surgery to repair a damaged nerve.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Hand Numbness?
It also involves a medical evaluation to identify the cause of numb hands.
Your healthcare provider will discuss your symptoms and medical history and will also do a thorough physical examination.
You might need diagnostic tests to help identify the exact problem thats causing your hand numbness.
Your medical history and physical examination will determine which tests you would need to have next.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You might recognize the feeling that your hand fell asleep.
You could be experiencing a stroke, an MS episode, or a herniated cervical disk.
These require urgent medical attention.
While its not a medical emergency, the sooner its treated, the better the outcome.
Additionally, symptoms involving other areas of your bodylike your legs or your arm can accompany hand numbness.
ensure you get prompt medical attention if you develop hand numbness.
A timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment can help resolve your symptoms and prevent complications.
A Word From Verywell
Hand numbness can be a scary symptom.
Most of the time, it is treatable and not dangerous.
Accommodating these issues can be challenging.
Work with your healthcare providers to understand what safety measures or rehabilitation steps are best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, at-home treatment can often be effective.
Your healthcare provider may recommend you wear a splint while working with your hands.
Sometimes this can resolve carpal tunnel syndrome.
Hand numbness without any other symptoms is not usually a sign of a stroke, but it can be.
