Foot Tingling

Tingling sensations are known to occur in any part of the body, commonly, including the foot, hands, arms, fingers and legs. Not only does the person experience the tingle sensation, he can also feel the affected part going numb and not reacting to touch. As said, tingling and numbness in the foot are nothing but symptoms of other medical conditions in the body. The common ones include stroke, multiple sclerosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines, seizures, hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid gland; a glandular disorder resulting from insufficient production of thyroid hormones) and also a condition known as Raynaud's phenomenon (blood vessel spasms that block blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose; caused due to cold temperatures or intense emotions).

More Causes

People who tend to remain seated in the same place for a long time, often complain against foot tingling. This also goes for those who remain standing for a prolonged period of time. Such actions are known to restrict the flow of blood through the legs and thus, the tingling and the numbness. An injury afflicted to the lower back may also cause the same. A herniated disk often exerts pressure on the spinal nerves and this, at times, results in the tingling sensations. Diabetes is considered as one of the prime causes of this condition. Elements like tumors, scar tissue, enlarged blood vessels, etc., cause pressure to build up on the peripheral nerves and so one of the ways of the body to show this is through tingling sensations in the limbs. Other causes include shingles, frostbite, cholesterol (plaque) build up, deficiency of vitamin B12, tobacco or alcohol abuse, radiation therapy, disturbed levels of calcium, potassium or sodium in the body and certain medication.

Treatment

What your doctor might do is, identify the underlying cause of the condition and then treat it with the required medical procedures. What you need to do at home is to elevate your feet and let it stay in this position for sometime. You can also apply lotion, a cream or spray may relieve the uncomfortable symptoms. Soaking the affected foot in cool water mixed with vinegar also helps. Get some red chili peppers and heat them over a high flame. Thereafter, crush the peppers and make a poultice out of the mixture. Place this on the affected foot and get relief from the pain and the tingling sensation.

Avoid sitting on your legs and with crossed legs. Wear shoes which have a proper fit and do not compromise on wearing tight gear. One essentially important remedy for foot tingling is performing stretching exercises for flexibility. Such exercises help to calm down tense nerves and minimize tingling and pain. In case you are not aware of any stretching exercises, you can always get valuable suggestions from your doctor.

To conclude, foot tingling can be prevented and treated with the right kind of diet. Try keeping a balanced diet as far as possible and include foods rich in B vitamins. As already mentioned, deficiency of this vitamin is one of the causes of this condition. Wheat and oats, fish and seafood, poultry, meats, eggs, milk, yogurt, leafy green vegetables, beans and peas are some good sources of B vitamins, you can include in your daily diet.