Introduction
Numbness in toes is also explained by the patients as “pins and needles”. A tingling sensation that surely affects you a lot. This tingling sensation leads to numbness. This is the particular feeling where you are unable to feel anything. Now you might be wondering why it happened to you first. So let us tell you that it should not be a matter of concern for you.
Most of the time, the pressure is the major reason. You might have put pressure on a particular nerve for quite some time, that might have resulted in numbness or a tingling sensation. This is experienced in the people who do not shift their positions with the change in time. The perfect way to overcome this fact is by putting yourself in motion.
Numbness in toes might be a serious issue
Although in most cases, numbness is not taken seriously and is simply cured by a change in the position of a person. There are cases when the numbness is prolonged, and as a result, a person also suffers from pain. Thus, as a result, it might lead to serious conditions or nerve disorders. To avoid extreme outcomes, you must immediately consult a medical professional for timely intervention.
Take a look at the causes of toe numbness
First, we must take a walk through the different factors that are categorized as the causes of the numbness in toes. Below we have mentioned them one by one for the enhancement of your knowledge:
- Diabetes and diabetic neuropathy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Hypothyroidism
- Kidney failure
- Tarsal tunnel syndrome
- Autoimmune disease
- Charcot-Maier-Tooth disease
- Alcohol use disorder and alcoholic neuropathy
- Infections
A general overview of all the enlisted causes
1. Diabetes and diabetic neuropathy
Although all the causes mentioned above are the major ones, one on the top is diabetes or diabetic neuropathy, which is the cause of the tingling sensation or the numbness of the toes. This particular condition results because of nerve damage that is caused by increased blood sugar levels.
A diabetic marker
In fact, if we go through the symptoms of diabetes, then we will learn that it includes pain or numbness in the feet. Thus it is one of the major markers of diabetes that should not be taken lightly.
A serious condition
This is not a condition that you should overlook. Therefore, in order to ensure that the perfect diagnosis of the prevailing condition is observed, it is of the utmost importance that the healthcare professional takes a medical history and conducts a complete physical exam. The blood test is also an excellent marker to help diagnose the tingling sensation.
2. Multiple sclerosis, a CNS disease
Multiple sclerosis happens to be a disease associated with CNS in which the immune system attacks the myelin that is the protective covering on nerves. Thus, as a result, you experience nerve damage, and the body and brain communication is disrupted. Multiple sclerosis results in numbness and tingling in different body parts, including the face, body, and extremities.
3. Hypothyroidism causing numbness
The underactive thyroid activity is termed hypothyroidism. As a result of this condition, the body’s needs are unmet. Thus you might feel a tingling sensation or numbness in the feet.
4. The Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome of the tibial nerve
Tarsal Tunnel syndrome is caused by the compression of the tibial nerve. This nerve runs all along the inside of the ankle all the way to the foot. The compression, as a result, causes numbness and tingling.
5. Kidney failure is another mark on the list
High blood pressure and diabetes happen to be the major causes of kidney failure. Once the kidneys stop normal function, you might witness a tingling sensation in the feet and toes.
6. CMT disease
CMT disease is a multiple factor. In fact, a group of peripheral disorders are categorized under the banner of CMT diseases. It results in the loss of sensation in the extremities, thus resulting in numbness in the extremities and toes.
Some other important causes of numbness in the toes
Although we have discussed some of the major causes of the numbness in the toes, but these are not the only causes of the tingling sensation. In fact, there are some more that you must pay attention to. Below we have enlisted these conditions that you must pay heed to.
- Pregnancy
- Vitamin deficiency
- Medication use
- Pinched nerve
- Toxin exposure
- Hyperventilation
1. The pregnancy factor
During pregnancy, women observe the growth of the uterus. Thus, as a result, the nerves might get pinched due to increased uterus size. As a result, you can experience a tingling sensation in the feet.
2. The under-replenishment of vitamins
The nerves are replenished by the vitamins in the body. Especially vitamin B is of quite importance in the maintenance of the nerve structure. The deficiency of these vitamins results in the tingling and numbness sensation in the toes and extremities.
3. The drug interactions
Numbness and tingling are also medication-based problems. Several drugs available in the market have numbness as a side effect and must be treated properly. Especially the chemotherapy in the cases of cancer and HIV patients causes numbness sensation.
4. The pinched nerves block the sensation
The injuries and swelling can cause pinched nerves. The pinched nerves cannot relay the proper sensations, and the sensations might be completely blocked. Thus we can say that it might result in tingling or numbness in the extremities.
5. Exposure to toxins
Lead, arsenic, thallium, and mercury are toxins that can cause numbness or tingling in the body. They might be ingested orally, or the skin can absorb them.
6. The hyperventilation condition
The hyperventilation is a condition caused by excessive breathing at a faster rate that results in the retention of carbon dioxide in the body. As a result, the carbon dioxide causes a tingling sensation in the feet.
The take-home message
The factors mentioned above help us understand that there are several causes of numbness in the foot, but the cure is extremely easy. It can be cured by changing the position and bringing the body to a motion state.
Also Read: Ingrown Fingernail
Conclusion
Numbness in toes can be a temporary or permanent condition depending upon eh causing factor. We hope that the available information helps you understand the importance of the fact that numbness can prove fatal if left untreated. So you must pay heed o the guidelines and immediately follow up with a specialist once you experience the symptoms.
