When should I worry about numbness or tingling?

Worry if it comes on suddenly, affects one side of the body, or comes with face drooping, slurred speech, confusion, a severe headache or trouble walking: call 911, because these can be stroke signs. Back pain with new numbness in your inner thighs or new bladder or bowel problems needs the ER now. Tingling that keeps coming back or doesn't go away needs a doctor's appointment.

Is numbness on one side of the body a stroke?

It can be. The NHS lists sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body among the main stroke symptoms, along with face drooping, arm weakness and speech problems. Even if it lasts only a few minutes and then goes, call 911, because it can be a mini-stroke (TIA) that warns of a stroke to come. Note the time it started.

Can anxiety cause tingling in the hands and face?

Yes. Breathing fast during anxiety or a panic attack can cause tingling in the fingers, hands and around the mouth, which eases as breathing slows down. But don't assume it's anxiety the first time, if it's on one side only, or if it comes with chest pain, fainting or weakness. In those cases, call 911 or go to the ER.

Why do my hands go numb at night?

A common cause is carpal tunnel syndrome, where a nerve in the wrist is squeezed. The NHS says it often causes tingling, numbness and pain in the thumb and fingers that can be worse at night. Sleeping on your arm can also do it. If it keeps happening, see a doctor; it isn't an emergency unless it comes with sudden weakness or other stroke signs.

Can a lack of vitamin B12 cause tingling?

Yes. The NHS lists pins and needles among the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency, along with tiredness and other signs. Diabetes can also cause tingling or numbness, usually starting in the feet. Both are treatable, so if you have tingling that keeps coming back or doesn't go away, book a doctor's appointment and ask about blood tests.

Can I walk in to Emergency Plus with numbness or tingling?

Yes. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, west Amman has emergency doctors on site 24/7 and walk-in care with no appointment. The doctor will ask when it started and where it is, examine your nerves and strength, check your blood pressure, and may request tests from the on-site laboratory. If you see any stroke sign, call 911 instead of driving, because time matters.

Numbness or Tingling: When Is It an Emergency?

You wake up with a "dead" arm, feel your fingers prickle when you're stressed, or notice your feet tingle more than they used to. Most of these are not serious, but some are a sign of a stroke or a nerve problem that needs help straight away. This guide explains the difference. It is part of our series of common symptom questions, alongside our most-read guide, can vaping cause chest pain?.

What usually causes numbness and tingling?

The NHS says pins and needles is usually caused by sitting or sleeping on part of your body, and normally goes when you move. Other common causes include:

Overbreathing with anxiety: tingling in the hands and around the mouth during a panic attack.
Carpal tunnel syndrome: tingling and pain in the thumb and fingers, often worse at night.
A trapped nerve in the neck or back: tingling that runs down an arm or leg, as in sciatica.
Diabetes: can damage nerves, so tingling often starts in the feet.
Low vitamin B12, drinking too much alcohol, and some medicines.

If the tingling comes with a racing heart, breathlessness and fear, read panic attack or heart attack?, and if you're quitting vaping and feel on edge, see quitting vaping: withdrawal or anxiety?.

Pins and needles, anxiety, a nerve problem, or a stroke?

What it may be	Typical signs	Timing	What to do
Pins and needles from posture	Tingling, then numbness, in a hand, arm, foot or leg you were leaning or sitting on	After pressure on the limb; goes within minutes of moving	Move and shake it out. Fine at home
Overbreathing / anxiety	Tingling in both hands, fingers or around the mouth, with fast breathing and a racing heart	During stress or a panic attack; eases as breathing slows	Slow breathing. First time, or with chest pain: get checked
Nerve problem (carpal tunnel, diabetes, low B12)	Tingling or numbness that keeps coming back, often worse at night or in both feet	Builds over weeks to months	See a doctor (routine appointment)
Stroke	Sudden numbness or weakness on one side, face drooping, slurred speech, vision loss	Sudden, within seconds to minutes	Call 911 now and note the time

Is sudden numbness a sign of a stroke?

It can be. The NHS lists sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body among the signs of a stroke. Use the FAST test: Face (has one side dropped?), Arms (can they lift both?), Speech (is it slurred?), Time (call 911 straight away). Even if the symptoms go after a few minutes, call, because it can be a mini-stroke. Read stroke symptoms and the FAST test. If numbness comes with a headache and visual disturbance and you know you get migraines, see migraine or stroke?, but if in any doubt, call 911.

When is numbness with back pain an emergency?

Back pain with tingling down a leg is common and is usually a trapped nerve that improves with time and physiotherapy. But the NHS advises going to A&E straight away for back pain with new numbness in your inner thighs, new problems controlling your bladder or bowels, or weakness in both legs, because these can mean severe pressure on the nerves at the bottom of the spine. Read sciatica: physiotherapy or the ER?.

When should you go to the ER for numbness or tingling?

Call 911 or go to the ER now if:

Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side.
Face drooping, or slurred speech or trouble speaking or understanding.
Sudden loss of vision, severe dizziness, or loss of balance.
A sudden severe headache with the numbness.
Numbness after an injury to the head, neck or back.
Back pain with new numbness in your inner thighs, or new problems controlling your bladder or bowels.
Weakness that is getting worse in both legs.
Tingling lips or face with hives, swelling, or trouble breathing or swallowing.

Tingling in the mouth with itching and swelling after a particular food can be an allergy. Read allergic reaction to food: when to go to the ER.

See a doctor the same day if:

New tingling in an arm or leg that hasn't gone after a few hours, with no stroke signs.
Tingling with neck or back pain spreading down an arm or leg that is getting worse.
Tingling in a foot with a wound, redness or warmth, especially if you have diabetes.

Usually fine at home, or a routine appointment, if:

Pins and needles after sitting or sleeping on a limb that goes within minutes of moving.
Tingling that keeps coming back or is always there (book a doctor's appointment, as the NHS advises).

What happens when you come to Emergency Plus?

At the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, emergency doctors are on site 24/7 and you can walk in without an appointment. The doctor will ask when the numbness started, where it is and what comes with it, check your sensation, strength and balance, check your blood pressure and blood sugar, and may request tests from the on-site laboratory. The team will explain the right next step for you. For any stroke sign, call 911 directly.

Sudden numbness, or tingling that won't go?

For face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech, call 911 straight away and don't drive yourself. If symptoms are milder but not going, the emergency department at Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 with no appointment, with an Arabic and English speaking team.

Call our 24/7 ER: +962 79 247 1313

Sources

Medical disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. Emergency Plus in Dabouq, Amman is open 24/7 — +962 79 247 1313.