Numbness When to see a doctor

When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Numbness can have a variety of causes. Most are harmless, but some can be life-threatening.

Call 911 or seek emergency help if your numbness:

Begins suddenly.
Follows a recent head injury.
Involves an entire arm or leg.

Also seek emergency medical care if your numbness is accompanied by:

Weakness or paralysis.
Confusion.
Trouble talking.
Feeling dizzy.
Sudden, bad headache.

You are likely to have a CT scan or MRI if:

You've had a head injury.
Your doctor suspects or needs to rule out a brain tumor or stroke.

Schedule an office visit if your numbness:

Begins or worsens gradually.
Affects both sides of the body.
Comes and goes.
Seems related to certain tasks or activities, particularly repetitive motions.
Affects only a part of a limb, such as your toes or fingers.

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Causes

May 04, 2023

Numbness. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/symptoms-of-neurologic-disorders/numbness#. Accessed March 30, 2023.
Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/stroke#. Accessed March 30, 2023.
Jankovic J, et al., eds. Disorders of peripheral nerves. In: Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 30, 2023.
Raynaud's phenomenon. American College of Rheumatology. https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Raynauds-Phenomenon. Accessed March 30, 2023.
Numbness or tingling. National Multiple Sclerosis Society. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms/Numbness. Accessed March 30, 2023.
Neuropathy. American Diabetes Association. https://diabetes.org/diabetes/neuropathy. Accessed March 30, 2023.
Cerebral aneurysms. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/cerebral-aneurysms?search-term=cerebral%20aneurysm#. Accessed March 31, 2023
Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/arteriovenous-malformations-avms?search-term=arteriovenous#. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Briemberg HR, et al. Approach to the patient with sensory loss. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 30, 2023.
Park JK, et al. Vestibular schwannoma (acoustic neuroma). https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Amyloidosis. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/amyloidosis/amyloidosis?query=amyloidosis#. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Brain tumor. Cancer.Net. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/brain-tumor/view-all. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Spinal trauma. Merck Manual Professional Version. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries_poisoning/spinal_trauma/spinal_trauma.html. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Spinal tumors. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Spinal-Tumors/. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Brachial plexus injuries. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/brachial-plexus-injuries. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Ferri FF. Frostbite. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2023. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Symptoms overview. National Fabry Disease Foundation. https://www.fabrydisease.org/index.php/about-fabry-disease/fabry-disease-symptoms-overview. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Fabry disease. National Kidney Foundation. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/fabry. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Shingles. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/shingles#:~:text=Most%20cases%20of%20shingles%20last,a%20red%20rash%20will%20appear. Accessed March 31, 2023.
Burke CR. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of thoracic aortic aneurysm. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed March 31, 2023.

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