For example, if you were sitting with your knee bent and your ankle under your other leg, your leg might have fallen asleep. Stretch out your leg and rotate your ankle to regain sensation.
For example, if you’re cold, you might turn on a source of heat, put on a sweater, or wrap up in a blanket. If you’re hot, try using an ice pack to cool down or stand in front of a fan.
Capsaicin cream works best if you experience pain in addition to the “pins and needles” feeling of paresthesia. It’s safe to rub the cream on the affected area 3 or 4 times a day. When you use capsaicin cream, you may experience a burning sensation on your skin. Your skin may also become inflamed or irritated. If this becomes uncomfortable, stop using the cream.
If you’ve lived a relatively sedentary life and are just getting started with exercise, consult your doctor first. They’ll recommend some activities that are safe for you to do and put you on the road to physical fitness with less risk of injury. In the meantime, sit and stand in ways that relieve pressure on your limbs. For example, if you find that when you cross your legs, the one underneath often falls asleep, try sitting with your legs extended or your feet propped up on something.
Likewise, if you experience uncontrolled movements, such as jerking or twisting of the affected limb, there might be a more serious problem that needs immediate care.
If you find that you’re taking over-the-counter medications for more than 3 days in a row, contact a doctor. These medications can cause problems if you take them on a regular basis. If you need to take them frequently to manage your symptoms, there’s likely a better way to do so. [11] X Research source
You typically won’t notice results until you’ve had several acupuncture treatments over a month or so. An acupuncture practitioner can give you a better idea of how many treatments you need based on your condition and the cause of your paresthesia.
Tell the massage therapist that you’ve been experiencing paresthesia. Give them a background of your symptoms and explain the circumstances under which your episodes of paresthesia most frequently occur. Generally, you’ll get better results if you go to a massage therapist who has experience with neuropathy massage therapy and has worked with patients who have paresthesia.
Joint conditions, such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome Previous stroke or traumatic brain injury (TBI) Metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism Shingles Migraines Menopause History of alcoholism Lyme disease Heavy metal poisoning
X-ray, MRI, or CT scan: These tests produce images that can help your doctor identify nerve damage in the area where you have paresthesia. Nerve conduction (EMG) studies: Your doctor uses these tests to evaluate your nerve function and determine if they’re sending signals properly, which could be causing your paresthesia.
Common side effects of amitriptyline include dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, headache, and constipation. [18] X Research source Let your doctor know if you have any side effects that you find troublesome or that interfere with your normal life. Depending on the cause of your paresthesia, your doctor might also prescribe the immune-suppressant prednisone. [19] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source Some also find relief with anticonvulsant medications, such as gabapentin or Gabitril. [20] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Other medications that may work for your paresthesia are gabapentin and lyrica. [21] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
In your food diary, write down the exact foods and quantities that you eat. If you experience paresthesia, write down the time that the symptoms occur along with a description of the specific symptoms and how they came on (suddenly or gradually). For example, you might write: “6:00 a. m. breakfast: 1 banana, 2 scrambled eggs, 1 slice toast. " If you experienced paresthesia an hour later, you might write: “Numbness and tingling in right leg. Came on suddenly while waiting for coffee. Shaking it didn’t help but feeling did return after about 5 minutes. " After a couple of weeks, look at your food diary and see if you notice any particular triggers. Eliminate these foods from your diet and see if the paresthesia stops. If there’s more than one food that could be a potential trigger, only eliminate one food at a time. Wait about 2 weeks before you eliminate another food. If there’s no change in your paresthesia, food likely isn’t the culprit.
Be careful to take vitamin supplements only as directed by your doctor. An overdose of vitamin B6 can actually cause paresthesia, so supplements might do more harm than good if not taken appropriately. [26] X Research source Low B12, which can cause chronic paresthesia, is common in people who have multiple sclerosis (MS). If you’ve been diagnosed with MS, get your vitamin levels tested frequently. [27] X Research source You will also need to have homocysteine and methylmalonic acid labs if you come back positive for a B12 deficiency. [28] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Family Physicians Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities Go to source
Physiotherapy may involve other treatments in combination with exercises, depending on the specific cause of your paresthesia and the overall condition of your limbs. For example, if you have paresthesia as a result of carpal tunnel syndrome, the physiotherapist might recommend splinting your wrists while doing repetitive activities with your hands.
