Paresthesia is a sensation, usually felt on the skin, usually felt or described as numbness, tingling, pins and needles, or pricking. It is sometimes also known as having the arm, leg, or other body part "fall asleep." Continue reading for more information on these and other possible symptoms.

Paresthesia may be classified as either transient or chronic. Transient paresthesia may be a symptom of hyperventilation syndrome or a panic attack. Chronic paresthesia may result from poor circulation, nerve irritation, neuropathy, or many other conditions and causes. There is no known long-term physical effect from paresthesia (although its underlying conditions may have various effects).

Several causes of paresthesia may include:

Alcoholism
Atherosclerosis
Autoimmune disorders
Fibromyalgia (FMS)
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Hyperventilation
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Lyme disease infection
Menopause
Metabolic disorders (diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, etc.)
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Nerve irritation
Neuropathy
Vitamin B deficiency (specifically, B5 and B12)
Whiplash

Continue reading for additional paresthesia causes.

Treatment for paresthesia is selected by a doctor or professional in the neurology area (neurologist), or other qualified source. A CT scan is commonly used for diagnosis. Once the diagnosis has been made, treatment options may include medication, moving limbs, and loosening or actively using muscles.

Underlying causes may lead to different treatment methods, especially related to those particular conditions. Additionally, relief for the symptoms may be desired, so some treatment options may be requested that are mainly symptomatic ones.