What does it mean when your fingertip is numb

It's completely abnormal to have finger numbness. Left hand OR right hand numbness means there's an injury to one of the nerves in your hand.

Most people are right hand dominant. That means they work their right hand harder. So when they have left hand finger numbness, they usually wonder, "How did I get this?"After all, you don't use that hand as much.

Finger numbness can be a sign of one or more conditions. Some, like vitamin B deficiency, are not too serious and can even be relieved with oral supplements. Others, like stroke, carpal tunnel syndrome or cervical spondylosis should not be taken lightly.

This article describes what the numbness might feel like, where it occurs, and its duration. It also lists possible disorders that can cause the numbness, and what other signs to watch for. 

Important

With regard to finger numbness, left hand vs right hand distinction can be relevant for locating the source of the problem. But if you have numbness inbothhands, then a more serious disorder may be lurking.

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Finger Numbness "Quality"

What numbness feels like

Finger numbness can feel differently from one person to another. But all numbness represents a type ofparesthesia. That means an abnormal sensation due to nerve injury.

The numb feeling means the skin is not as sensitive to touch. This abnormality is often accompanied by feelings described as:

• pins and needles
• prickling
• itching
• crawling bugs
• tickling
• burning
• falling asleep
• hot or cold skin

Which fingers are involved

The cause of finger numbness (left hand or right hand) is usually diagnosed by it's location (i.e., which fingers are involved). That's because the hand and fingers are supplied by 3 different nerves.

These three nerves originate in the spine. They separate into distinct strands in the armpit and then travel down your arm. The diagram above shows how themedian, ulnar, and radial nerves arrive at the hand and fan out across it.The distribution is exactly the same for the left and right hands.

According to the diagram, if you feel numbness in your pointer finger's tip but not its knuckles, for instance, it indicates damage to yourmedian nerve. But numbness on the knuckle side of your pointer finger indicates damage to your radial nerve.

Finger numbness (left hand or right hand) can be caused by damage to one of the three nerves anywhere from the spine to the hand. A common example is leaning on your elbow (or "funny bone"). Doing so can cause damage to the radial nerve as it travels close to the surface of the elbow. But the tingling feeling is in your little finger and most of your ring finger.

Acute vs chronic finger numbness

Another key factor for diagnosing the underlying problem of finger numbness (left hand or right hand) is the duration of the numbness. Acute or sudden on and off numbness may be due to a transient (temporary) injury. Again, leaning on your "funny bone" is a good example.

Another example of temporary finger numbness may be when it occurs while working. Typing on a keyboard or swinging a hammer may cause finger numbness. But if it disappears with rest, then it's a transient problem directly related toyour occupation. It means the work itself is likely causing the nerve injury because of how you use your hand.

Chronic finger numbness (left hand or right hand) can be more serious. It means the nerve is sufficiently damaged that simple rest won't help. It could also be a sign that a more serious condition is lurking which causes finger numbness.

Main Causes of Finger Numbness

1. Stroke

Astroke means there's insufficient blood going to part of your brain. Finger or hand numbness due to stroke is unlikely, but it’s also very serious. If the numbness is sudden and you have any of the other symptoms listed below, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.Rapid response can save your life.

• sudden numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, especially on only one side of your body
• difficulty speaking or understanding other people
• confusion
• face or mouth drooping on one side
• suddenly not being able to see (one or both eyes)
• sudden loss of balance or dizziness
• sudden headache
  

2. Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by damage to the median nerve. Therefore, the hand or finger numbness will be distributed as in the diagram above.

When carpal tunnel syndrome first begins, the numbness usually is most pronounced at night,while trying to sleep. As the condition advances, the numbness persists into the daytime.

Other symptoms associated with more advanced or "severe" carpal tunnel are finger or hand pain, burning, shooting electric shocks,hand weakness, hand clumsiness, and loss of dexterity.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually attributed to overuse of your hands. That's why certain occupations are infamous for having this condition. They are:

• Transcriptionists
• Assembly line workers
• eSports & video gamers
• Dental hygienists
• Graphic designers
• Knitters & sewers
• Truck drivers
• Fine artists
• Horse riders or trainers
• Hairdressers/stylists
• Dentists
• Guitar players

Other risk factors increase the probability of having carpal tunnel syndrome, These include being pregnant, havingrheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, wrist fracture, and being under emotional stress.

You can take thisself-test to determine if you have carpal tunnel syndrome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be treated with 85-95% success usingnon-surgical techniques. Occasionally, carpal tunnel release surgery is needed, but the success rate is about 50%.

3. Cubital tunnel syndrome

Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome causes hand or finger numbness. But it results from damage to the ulnar nerve. This causes numbness in the little finger and half of the ring finger (see diagram above).

The ulnar nerve is also the nerve which runs close to the skin at the elbow. This "funny bone" reacts when you lean on it for a long time (or hit it), resulting in tingling on the pinky side of your hand.

Other symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome areforearm pain. Weakness in the hand is also common, primarily when the elbow is bent.

Treating cubital tunnel syndrome depends on it's severity. Mild conditions can be treated withphysical therapy and massage. More severe conditions may require surgery.

4. Thoracic outlet syndrome

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a term used for several different disorders that affect the blood vessels and nerves in the neck and shoulders. It's thought to originate as a repetitive stress injury that results in compression of thethoracic outlet. This is the opening between your upper chest and lower neck, through which nerves and blood vessels pass.

The compression around the thoracic outlet presses against the blood vessels or nerve. This results in pain, swelling, tingling, and numbness in the fingers and hand. Symptoms are especially pronounced when you raise your arms. 

Thoracic outlet syndrome is a very common disorder, affecting up to 8% of the population.  And it's more common in women than men.

Other symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome include:

• weakened hand grip
• cold arms, hand, and fingers
  
• arm swelling
  
• blue or pale color in the hand and fingers

You can tell if you have thoracic outlet syndrome by doing thisseries of self-tests. A partner is required to help perform the tests.

Most instances of thoracic outlet syndrome can be treated non-surgically withthoracic outlet syndrome exercises. More severe symptoms may require surgery to loosen the tissues from being compressed.

5. Diabetes

Diabetes creates problems all over the body. It results in starving the nervous system of nutrient. This causes nerve damage or neuropathy (more accurately, "diabetic neuropathy").

This type of neuropathy can cause hand or finger numbness. Left hand or right hand is irrelevant. However, sometimes the entire arm is involved. Other times, the numbness may be in the feet and toes.

Other symptoms of diabetic neuropathy may include:

• weakness
• pain
• burning
• pins and needles
• loss of balance

Diabetic neuropathy can be treated with some success using medicines. Additionally, by lowering the symptoms of diabetes, the neuropathy also diminishes. This occurs with good glucose management, proper diet, regular exercise, and medicines,

6. Vitamin B deficiency

Nerves require vitamin B (especially B12) to stay healthy. So a B vitamin deficiency can lead to nerve injury. That results in hand or finger numbness (left hand, right hand, both feet).

Usually, vitamin B12 deficiency includes other symptoms. They are::

• fatigue
  
• weakness
  
• yellowing of the eyes and skin
  
• difficulty thinking and processing
• difficulty walking and balancing
  
• hallucinations

Magnesium and potassium deficiency are also known to result in numbness when blood levels are low. Vitamin B12, magnesium, and potassium can be supplemented orally. Usually numbness willdiminish or disappear afterward.

7. Certain medicines

A number of medicines are known to cause neuropathy. They result in hand or finger numbness (even foot numbness). It's a side effect of the medicine, and doctors usually warn patients of the potential problem.

Nerve damage (neuropathy) can be a side effect of drugs that treat everything from cancer to seizures. It can affect both your hands and feet.

The drugs most commonly recognized to cause cause hand or finger numbness (left hand or right hand) include:

• Anticancer drugs (cisplatin and vincristine)
• Antibiotics (metronidazole [or Flagyl], nitrofurantoin [or Macrobid], fluoroquinolones [or Cipro])
• Anti-seizure drugs (phenytoin [or Dilantin])
• Heart & blood pressure drugs (amiodarone [or Nexterone], hydralazine [or Apresoline])

Most people have other symptoms of nerve damage caused by medicines (or drug induced neuropathy). These include:

• tingling
• weakness
• abnormal feelings in the hands
  

8. Cervical spondylosis

Cervical spondylosis is a general term that includes wear and tear of the spinal disks in your neck due to age. The disks eventually dehydrate and shrink. This createssigns of osteoarthritis andbone spurs.

Cervical spondylosis is very common, and it gets progressively worse. It's estimated that over 85% of people over 60 years old are affected by it.

Most people experience no symptoms from cervical spondylosis. But when symptoms do occur, several non-surgical treatments can be effective.

People with cervical spondylosis frequently experience some of the following additional symptoms:

• weakness in the hands, arms, feet and legs
• a popping sound when moving the neck
• headaches
• muscle spasms in the shoulders or neck
• loss of coordination and balance
• losing control over the bladder or bowels

9. Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon (or syndrome) can cause finger numbness (left hand and right hand prevalence is the same). Even your toes can get numb due to this disorder.

It usually occurs as a feeling of coldness along with the numbness if you're exposed to emotional stress or cold temperatures. Also, the tips of the fingers become blanched or white, causing "white finger".

The cause of this disorder originates in the small blood vessels in your skin. They narrow in diameter (called "vasospasm") which limits blood flow to the skin. This results in paleness, coldness, and numbness. Often, pain accompanies these symptoms.

Doctors treat Raynaud's disease depending on how severe it is. It also depends on what other health problems you may have.

10. Alcohol-related neuropathy

Drinking alcohol in moderation is generally safe. But too much alcohol intakecan be toxic. It may result in tissue damage all over the body.

Nerves are especially susceptible to alcohol toxicity. That's why people who drink in excess, especially chronically, risk nerve damage. This can result in tingling or numbness in the fingers, hand, and feet.

The other symptoms of alcohol related neuropathy are:

• muscle weakness
• pins and needles feeling
• erectile dysfunction
• muscle spasms or cramps
• difficulty controlling urination

The alcohol toxicity can usually be alleviated by reducing or eliminating the alcohol intake. Certain medicines can also help manage the symptoms.

Other rarer disorders

Conclusions

There can be a number of reasons you have finger numbness. Left hand OR right hand occurrence is generally not as serious as having it in both hands. Once you pinpoint which fingers are involved, you can determine which nerve is causing the numbness. Then you can narrow down the possible candidate conditions.