The feeling of numbness on our feet and legs is common to experience, especially when you’ve been staying in the same position for quite some time. However, if you experience this feeling frequently or if it’s becoming more intense, it may be a sign of a more serious condition. There are many reasons why your legs and feet may feel numb, tingling, or even burning, so in this article, we’ll be discussing the possible causes of leg numbness.
Symptoms of foot and leg numbness
- Burning or warm feeling.
- Tingles when being moved.
- Tickling and itching when moved or touched.
- Slight pain when being moved.
- The feeling of something crawling under the skin.
Causes
Here are some possible causes of numbness that could be temporary or serious:
Posture
Postural habits that put pressure on nerves or reduce blood flow to the lower extremities are the most common causes of temporary numbness in the legs and feet. Some of these habits include crossing the legs for too long, sitting or kneeling for a long time, sitting on the feet, and wearing pants, socks, or shoes that are too tight.
Vitamin deficiencies
Numbness can also be a sign of vitamin deficiency. We need an ample amount of vitamins E, B1, B6, and B12 to maintain our health and keep our nerves fully functioning.
Diabetes
Some people with diabetes develop a condition called diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy is a kind of damage to the nerves that can cause numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet and the legs(in severe cases).\
Injuries
Sometimes associated with trauma, the nerves might have been compressed, pinched, or otherwise damaged, resulting in nerve pain. Injuries to the spine, hips, torso, legs, ankles, and/or feet can put pressure on the nerves, causing numbness in our feet and legs.
Excessive alcohol intake
People who drink heavily are more likely to be deficient in thiamine or other important vitamins, as poor diet is a common cause of peripheral neuropathy. Alcoholism itself can also cause nerve damage, a condition some researchers refer to as alcoholic neuropathy.
Tumors or abnormal growths
Any size of tumors, cysts, abscesses, and other abnormal growths can put pressure on the brain, spinal cord, or any part of the legs and feet. This pressure restricts blood flow and circulation to the legs and feet, making it feel numb, ticklish, or itchy.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic medical condition that causes body aches, pains, and tenderness. Some people with fibromyalgia also experience numbness and tingling in the hands and feet.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis(or MS) is a medical condition that disables the spinal cord and brain from functioning properly. MS can also cause numbness in a small part of the body or an entire limb. While the numbness associated with MS usually lasts only a short time, it can last long enough to cause paralysis.
Mini or major strokes
A stroke(even a mini-stroke) can cause serious brain damage that affects the brain’s interpretation and processing of neural signals. A stroke can sometimes cause temporary or long-term numbness in parts of the body if not treated right away.