Chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness on one side, a fit or heavy bleeding needs help now, not an appointment.

112Any emergency108Ambulance102Pregnancy and newborn
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Head, brain and nerves

Numbness or tingling

Also called numbness, tingling, jhunjhuni, pins and needles, sunn

What it meansSafe at homeDo not doSee a doctorWarning signs

What this means

Numbness or a pins and needles feeling can come from pressure on a nerve, vitamin deficiency, diabetes or nerve problems. Sudden numbness on one side of the body needs urgent attention.

Safe to do at home

  • Change position to relieve pressure on the area
  • Gently move and stretch the affected part
  • Keep your sugar under control if you have diabetes

Please do not do this alone

  • Do not take nerve medicines or high dose vitamins on your own
  • Do not ignore numbness that is spreading or persistent
  • Do not apply very hot or very cold packs to numb skin, as you may not feel a burn

Book a consultation if

  • Numbness keeps coming back or does not settle
  • It affects both hands or both feet
  • It comes with weakness or loss of balance

Get help immediately if

  • Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body
  • Numbness with slurred speech, facial droop or confusion
  • Numbness after a back or neck injury

The right doctor for this

Neurologist

This is the specialist who sees this symptom most often and can examine you properly. If you are not sure, a general physician is always a safe place to start and will refer you onward if you need it.

Consult a NeurologistStart with a General Physician

Get care for this

Doctors and care for numbness or tingling

Verified Teleprac doctors you can see online or in a clinic, lab tests with home sample collection, and genuine medicines delivered to your door.

Shop Brain, Spine & Nerve CareDelivered home. Please take medicines only as your doctor advises.
See all symptoms

How to use this page. It explains what a symptom usually means, so that you can decide whether to watch it, book a consultation or get help now. It does not diagnose you, it does not know your age, your pregnancy or your other medicines, and it cannot replace being examined. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own.

Consult a doctorNeurologist

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Emergency numbers in India

Save these in your phone now, not when you need them. Tap any number to call it.

112Any emergencyOne number for police, fire and ambulance across India108AmbulanceFree emergency ambulance in most states and union territories102Pregnancy and newbornAmbulance for mothers and babies in most states14416Mental health supportTele MANAS, free counselling every hour of the day, many languages1800 116 117Poisoning or overdoseNational Poisons Information Centre, AIIMS New Delhi1098Child in distressChildline India, free and confidential

Where to read more

Public health sources written for patients rather than for doctors, and kept up to date.

Ministry of Health and Family WelfareOfficial Indian health programmes, advisories and public guidanceWorld Health Organization health topicsGlobal fact sheets written for the public, on hundreds of topicsNHS health A to ZPlain language pages on symptoms, conditions, tests and treatmentsMedlinePlusPatient information from the United States National Library of MedicineTele MANASIndia's national mental health support service, free and available all day

Important: Everything in Teleprac patient resources is general health education. It does not give you a diagnosis and it cannot replace examination by a qualified doctor, because it does not know your age, your reports, your pregnancy or the other medicines you take. Please do not start, stop or change any medicine on your own. Teleprac Healthcare is not liable for decisions made on the basis of this information. In an emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest hospital immediately.