Paresthesia comes from a variety of underlying medical causes and conditions. Some are serious disorders, while others may be not as severe yet chronic, and others transient or passing.

Common causes of paresthesia include:

Alcoholism
Anticonvulsant drugs
Atherosclerosis
Autoimmune disorders
Beta-alanine ingestion
Dehydration
Fabry disease
Fibromyalgia (FMS)
Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
Heavy metal poisoning
Herpes zoster (shingles)
Hyperventilation
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Immune deficiency
Lidocaine poisoning
Lomotil (drug)
Lupus erythematosus
Lyme disease infection
Malnutrition
Menopause
Metabolic disorders (diabetes, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, etc.)
Migraines
Motor neuron diseases
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Nerve irritation
Neurological disorders
Neuropathy

Nitrous oxide exposure (long term)
Obdormition
Radiation poisoning
SSRI withdrawal
Transient ischemic attack
Vitamin B deficiency (specifically, B5 and B12)
Whiplash

Please note that the presence of paresthesia in a patient does not necessarily mean that one of these issues is the underlying cause. Also, it is possible to have one or more of these conditions despite a lack of paresthesia in the individual. This list and additional information is not intended to be professional medical advice and is not to be used as a substitute for such.

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