This article is reviewed, corrected, and approved by: Dr. Joshua Collins M.D. | MRCP। FRCP
A feeling of a needle prickling sensation on the body too often is not something you want to feel. It's really annoying and mysterious. You may feel that it is not something big issue. But in some cases, there may be some issue with the pinprick sensation that can make worry.
Pinprick sensation is a sensation like itching all over the body or the feeling of crawling in a specific area of the body. And most of the time, you don't understand why this type of numb feeling is happening to you. This pinprick sensation is not rare to somebody.
Every person can have those feelings at some point in their life. Even when you read this article, you may also experience this sensation. The good news is it is not unpreventable or unmanageable.
You can manage this sensation by doing easy tasks. But if you feel this sensation more often, then I believe it is time to check with a doctor.
What Is Pinprick Sensation?
Paresthesia is the medical term for this needles and pins sensation. It occurs when an irritated nerve transmits different signals.
Hands and feet often feel tingly or prickly when experiencing pins and needles. Sometimes you can feel a pinprick sensation all over your body. In most cases, this is induced by pressure on nerves or vessels.
If you sit in an awkward position, such as sitting cross-legged, then your nerve gets trapped. And as a result, you feel a pinprick sensation or needle prickling sensation. There may be no serious issues behind this sensation, but sometimes diabetes may be a sign when it becomes a serious condition.
What Causes A Pinprick Sensation On Skin?
- Neuropathy
- If you had a stroke or mild stroke or any kind of severe heart or brain problem
- Nerve damage due to some accident or operation, or injury.
- Injury or damage to the shoulder nerve.
- Pregnancy problem or after surgery of delivery.
- If you have vitamin B12 deficiency.
- If you have severe uncontrol type 2 diabetes.
- Overconsume alcohol.
- Chronic suffering from a certain disease.
Each time you feel the sensation like a pin or needle on your skin, its means you are creating pressure on your nerve. When you release that pressure from your nerve, that sensation also reduces. Suppose you are sitting in a cross legged pose for a long time.
It is possible that you start feeling a pinprick sensation. This feeling will go away when you stand up or sit rightly. The aforementioned scenario is common for all.
But if your pinprick sensation doesn't go away quickly or happens at regular intervals, then I think it is a matter of medical issue. You need to check with a doctor. As I assume it could be a case of nerve damage.
What To Do To Avoid Pinprick Sensation All Over Body?
You can eradicate the temporary pinprick sensation all over the body with simple hacks and lifestyle changes. Let me discuss those with you.
Don't Give Pressure On Your Nerve
You should realize that when you put pressure on your leg or hand where the nerve can't breathe naturally, they get stuck and create a pinprick sensation. That is why when the pressure is released, the nerve automatically gets relaxed, and you get relief from that sensation. It is advised that when you sit, don't cross your leg for too long.
Don't sleep in a position that can block the oxygen and blood supply on your limbs. Avoid sleeping in a position that creates pressure on the arms or leaning on your limbs for a longer period of time.
Wear Flexible Shoes
Your toes can be swollen and numb if you wear tight shoes. Select the perfect size of shoes for your feet. Choose the shoes that have space inside so that you can move your toes. Also, do not wear badly fitted shoes that are below the size of your legs.
Moreover, tight shoes are not comfortable for walking or wearing for the full day. It will create pain in your legs and toes.
In the end, you will face problems in wearing for the next day. So, always choose shoes that are comfortable and easy to walk.
Clench Your Fist
You can relieve nerve pain by clenching and unclenching your fists if you sit for a long time. You can feel the prickling dimming when you twitch your toes continuously until the sensation fades away on your fingers. This easy act can improve blood circulation and make you feel relaxed.
Move Around
By moving around, blood can flow more freely, and oxygen can flow more efficiently. You will notice a change in those prickling feelings if you move around and improve your blood vessels.
Don't just sit or lie down for a long time, as it is usually unhealthy. If you work at a desk or in front of a computer, you should stand up from your seat and walk for a minute or two. This will make your leg nerve relax.
Take Vitamin And Mineral
Sometimes pinprick sensation on the skin can be happened due to a lack of minerals and vitamins. Especially if you have a deficiency of vitamin B12, take an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals in your meal. If you don't get enough Vitamin B12, you can take supplements as well.
How Do You Control Pinprick Sensation?
Here I will mention some of the easy techniques I use to control pinprick sensation.
Doing Yoga
Practicing yoga will make your nerve and other muscles strong and flexible. The more you become getting yoga expert, the more you will have a strong and valid hold on your nerve and sensation.
Meditation
Meditation is something that can heal you from within. Regular meditation will make your body adjust to this kind of pinprick sensation.
Trust me; you should start meditation. It is more than that of a practice of breathing in and breathing out.
Reduce Consumption Of Alcohol
Those who have diabetes should not take alcohol as taking alcohol will increase your chance of getting a pinprick sensation.
When To See A Doctor?
In most cases, the feeling of needles and pins on the skin isn't a serious problem. At the beginning, you need not get checked up by a physician. It is normal to have a pinprick sensation on the skin.
But there are some cases where you need to visit a doctor as early as possible because the frequent sensation of needles and pins may be an indicator of any serious disease.
The cause of chronic paresthesia could be nerve damage or brain damage. There could be a serious condition causing this:
- Problems with the spinal cord.
- Stroke or mild stroke
- Brain problems.
- Migraines.
- Seizures
- Tumors in the brain
- High blood sugar
Conclusion
In the end, I can tell that pinprick sensation is generally a worry-less problem. Some regular health practices can remove this sensation for good. Yet occasionally, it can be a matter of thinking and worry.
In most cases, I found that diabetes is the underlying cause of pinprick sensation all over the body. So, I suggest that if you feel this sensation more often and notice that it happens without any pressure on to nerve, you should see a doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question 1- Do needles and pins ever go away?
Answer 1: A temporary needle prick sensation will go away. In most cases, people have a temporary pinprick sensation. Making some necessary lifestyle changes or following simple techniques can reduce your needle prick sensation.
Question 2: Are pins and needles and numbness the same thing?
Answer 2: The feeling of being numb is the inability to feel any sensation in your body.
Pins and needles, called pinprick sensations, are tingling or prickling sensations often felt on hands and feet.
Question 3: What Is Dysesthesia vs Paresthesia?
Answer 3: Dysesthesia is something abnormal feeling that can be irritating or painful. Paresthesia refers to modified sensations such as "pins and needles."
It is also referred to as tingling or numbness. This type of pinprick sensation is usually painless and harmless.
Question 4: Do I need to worry about Needles and pin?
Answer 4: Needles and pin sensations can be a matter of worry if these kinds of sensations come back frequently and you can't get rid of them quickly. An underlying health issue can cause it.
Question 5: Can anxiety cause pins and needles?
Answer 5: Sometimes, when you feel excessive anxiety or stress, you may feel needles or pins sensation all over the body.