Finger numbness is a common condition that affects many people. It is a sensation of loss of sensation or tingling feels in your fingers. This numbness can affect one or several fingers at the same time.

In some cases, you may experience finger numbness together with fingers pain while in others you may not feel any pain at all. In this article, we shall discuss the causes and symptoms of finger numbness that you should be aware of.

Symptoms of Finger Numbness

The symptoms of finger numbness include:.

Tingling sensation in your fingers
Loss of sensation in your fingers
Weakness in your fingers
Burning sensation in your fingers
Stiffness in your fingers
Pins and needles feeling in your fingers

Causes of Finger Numbness

The following are some of the common causes of finger numbness:.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of finger numbness. It is caused by the compression of the median nerve that runs through the wrist into the hands and fingers. This pressure results to tingling or numbness on your fingers.

It is a condition that affects those who use their hands repetitively.

Cervical Spinal Stenosis

Cervical spinal stenosis refers to the compression of spinal nerves in the neck region. This compression causes numbness and tingling sensation in your fingers.

You can also experience weakness and pain in your arms and shoulder as a result of this condition.

Raynaud’s Syndrome

Raynaud’s syndrome is a condition that causes the narrowing of blood vessels in the fingers hence reducing blood flow. This can result in numbness and tingling of the fingers.

The syndrome is more common in people who live in cold areas, have connective tissue disease, or smoke. Stress can also trigger Raynaud’s syndrome.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage to peripheral nerves. This damage can be caused by a number of factors including diabetes, trauma, and toxic substances. It is characterised by pain, tingling or numbness in the hands or feet.

This condition can also spread to other parts of the body including the fingers.

Vitamin Deficiency

Vitamin deficiency can also cause numbness and tingling in the fingers. Lack of vitamin B12, B6, and E can lead to peripheral neuropathy. This can cause numbness and tingling on your fingers.

Tumours

Tumours can also cause numbness and tingling in your fingers. Tumours can grow and press on nerves causing numbness in your fingers. It can also lead to weakness and pain in your fingers.

Injuries

Injuries can cause physical damage to nerves hence leading to numbness in your fingers. Repetitive motion injuries such as typing can cause finger numbness.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. This can result in loss of sensation in your fingers. Hypothyroidism also causes other symptoms including fatigue, weight gain, and depression.

Autoimmune Diseases

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body immune system attacks its own cells. This can result in nerve damage hence leading to numbness and tingling in your fingers.

Medications

Some medications can cause side effects that lead to numbness and tingling in your fingers. Examples of these medications include chemotherapy drugs and amiodarone.

Treatments for Finger Numbness

The treatment of finger numbness is dependent on the underlying cause. Below are some of the treatments for finger numbness:.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment

Treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome may involve wearing a wrist splint, physiotherapy exercises, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Severe cases may require surgery to rectify the condition.

Cervical Spinal Stenosis Treatment

Treatment for cervical spinal stenosis involves physical therapy, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and other medications. You may also require surgery in severe cases of cervical spinal stenosis.

Raynaud’s Syndrome Treatment

Treatment for Raynaud’s syndrome often involves keeping your hands and body warm. Avoiding stress and smoking is also highly recommended. Medications that help to reduce symptoms and improve circulation can also be prescribed.

Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment

Treatment of peripheral neuropathy may include medications and physiotherapy exercises. Additional treatments may be dependent on the underlying condition.

For example, if it’s caused by diabetes, controlling the condition may help to reduce the symptoms.

Vitamin Deficiency Treatment

Treatment for vitamin deficiency may include a change in diet, supplements, and injections. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be treated using B12 injections to correct the deficiency.

Tumours Treatment

Treatment for tumours may involve surgery to remove the tumour. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment may also be used after surgery to prevent the cancer from returning.

Injury Treatment

Treatment for injuries may include physiotherapy and surgery. Minor injuries can be treated by applying ice or heat on the affected area. You can also use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain.

Hypothyroidism Treatment

Treatment for hypothyroidism may include thyroid hormone replacement therapy. This helps to improve the thyroid hormone levels hence solving the problem of finger numbness.

Autoimmune Diseases Treatment

Treatment for autoimmune diseases depends on the type of disease. It may involve use of medications to suppress the immune system hence controlling the damage it is causing to your body.

Conclusion

Finger numbness is a condition that can be caused by several factors including carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spinal stenosis, Raynaud’s syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, vitamin deficiency, tumours, injuries, hypothyroidism, medications, and autoimmune diseases. The treatment for finger numbness is dependent on the underlying cause. Identifying the cause of finger numbness is essential to the successful treatment of the condition.