Causes of Numbness in Fingers

People often complain about numbness or a tingling sensation in various body parts. This can occur in any part of the body, but mostly this sensation is felt in the fingers, hands, arms, legs and feet. This condition is also known as loss of sensation, paresthesias, sensory loss or tingling and numbness. This numbness is also associated with other abnormal sensations, which are similar to tingling, prickling or burning sensations. Some people describe the feeling as pins and needles.

Nerves and Finger Numbness
It is the function of the nerve cells to carry sensations from various parts of the body to the brain. Any damage caused to these nerves, like a blockage of blood supply, can affect their functioning, which in turn results in the numbness or tingling sensation. The most common reason behind the occurrence of finger numbness is the damage caused to the nerves, due to nerve diseases, pressure or entrapment. If left untreated, the nerve damage can eventually lead to a permanent loss of sensation.

Some people experience extreme pain along with finger numbness, which can occur in any of the fingers or more than one finger. It is very important to figure out the fingers in which the sensation occurs. This helps in the right diagnosis of the disease causing this sensation. This can be treated and cured, provided the diagnosis is correct. Nerve damage being the common cause, some other medical conditions can also cause finger numbness. Let us go through the causes of numbness in fingers.

Nerve Damage
As stated above, finger numbness is mainly caused by nerve damage. Any damage to the upper spinal cord or the nerves in the arms may cause numbness in the wrists, hands and fingers. Carpal tunnel syndrome is another cause for finger numbness. This is a medical condition, in which the median nerve of the wrist is compressed and it can lead to numbness in the fingers, hands or arms. A neck injury can also lead to numbness in the fingers, arms or hand. Pressure at the elbow or chest can affect the functioning of the ulnar nerve, leading to numbness in fingers, especially the fourth and the fifth finger. In some cases, damage to the peripheral nerves (peripheral neuropathy) may be the reason for finger numbness. Nerve damage can also be caused by excessive consumption of alcohol, which is known as alcoholic neuropathy. Both diabetic neuropathy, which denotes nerve damage caused by diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (peripheral nerve damage due to diabetes) can cause finger numbness.

Even though nerve damage is considered as the common cause of finger numbness, this condition may develop as a result of other medical conditions too. Here is a list of some of the medical conditions which are also causes of numbness in the fingers.

• Hand injuries can also cause numbness in the fingers. It can happen as a result of a broken finger or wrist.
• Regular inhalation of some chemicals can also be a reason for finger numbness, in the long run. For example, the inhalation of smoke emitted from burning acidic dry cell batteries (contains toxic chemicals) can be a cause, provided, sufficient amount of smoke is inhaled, so as to develop the symptoms.
• Insufficient or total blockage of blood supply to the fingers can cause this condition. Blood supply is blocked in case of frostbite too. This can also lead to tissue damage and numbness in the fingers.
• People affected by cervical spondylosis often complaint of finger numbness along with neck pain.
• Brain damage caused by a mini stroke or stroke can also cause finger numbness.
• Tumors on the nerves in the neck, arms or wrists is another reason for the tingling sensation in the fingers.

If you experience finger numbness, which is persistent, then you should consult a doctor at the earliest. The doctor may need information regarding your medical history, family history, nature of your job, etc, for a correct diagnosis of the causes of numbness in fingers, which is very vital for the treatment. Treatment of the underlying cause along with occupational and physical therapy and exercises are helpful in curing the condition.