Paresthesia

Abnormal cutaneous sensation characterized by tingling, pricking, “pins and needles,” or creeping dysesthesia, typically occurring without an external stimulus, caused by irritation, compression, or dysfunction of peripheral or central sensory nerve pathways leading to abnormal nerve signaling.

Causes

• Temporary causes

  • Nerve compression (posture)

  • Direct nerve trauma or injury

  • Dehydration

  • Hyperventilation

  • Migraine-associated sensory disturbances

• Peripheral nerve compression and entrapment causes

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Meralgia paresthetica

  • Ulnar nerve entrapment

  • Radiculopathy from spinal disc herniation

  • Piriformis syndrome

• Metabolic causes

  • Diabetes mellitus (peripheral neuropathy)

  • Kidney failure-associated neuropathy

  • Hypothyroidism-related neuropathy

  • Nutritional causes: Vitamin B₃/B₆/B₁₂/E deficiency

• Neurological causes

  • Multiple sclerosis

  • Guillain–Barré syndrome

  • Spinal cord lesions

  • Peripheral neuropathies

  • Stroke or transient ischemic attack (when involving sensory pathways)

• Toxic and medication-related causes

  • Alcohol abuse

  • Heavy metal exposure: Lead, Mercury, Arsenic

  • Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

• Autoimmune neuropathies