Common Causes of Skin Numbness

Skin numbness is a sensation that most of us experience at some time or another. The formal term for this condition is paresthesia, and in most cases it occurs as a minor condition that goes away on its own. In rare cases, skin numbness can persist over time and even spread to other areas of the body, which is about the time that one would consult their doctor for a formal evaluation. In this article we are going to discuss some of the most likely causes behind this awkward skin sensation.

Certain medications have been known to contribute to skin numbness. Certain types of birth control tablets can cause skin numbness on various parts of the body on a random basis. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that can be applied topically to the skin to help relieve the symptoms of inflammation, such as itching or burning. It can also be injected to the nerves to block the pain of dental procedures as well as minor surgeries. Procaine (commonly termed “novacaine”) is a similar drug that blocks the synapses between the nerve endings in the neurotransmitters. Basically, it makes it impossible for the transmitters to send any messages of pain or other sensations to the brain.

A severe injury can also cause random occurrences of skin numbness for many years after the injury has healed. Really bad injuries can cause nerve damage so deep within the skin that the nerves never fully recover. Burn injuries are especially known for this as due to the scarring that often results from a burn. When the scarring is especially bad, it can lead to permanent loss of sensation to the skin.

Numbness in the form of a limb that has fallen asleep is often due to nerve constriction or blockage. More often than not, this type of numbness is caused when one has maintained a position that causes an excessive amount of pressure on a nerve. When one changes their position to relieve the pressure against the nerve, sensor ability returns to the area. This is a common affliction during pregnancy as well as after an injury that results in a great deal of swelling.

Skin numbness may also be caused by poor circulation. There are a number of circulatory disorders that can result in parts of the body failing to receive an adequate amount of blood on a regular basis. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the walls of arteries harden due to plaque buildup in the blood vessels. This condition can vary in severity causing circulation to slow or even stop altogether in some areas of the body. When certain parts of the body do not get enough blood, extremities such as the hands, feet, and legs can feel cold, lighten in color, and seem to lose most or all feeling.

Common Causes of Skin Numbness

If you have begun to experience patches of numbness on your skin, or if you find that you are frequently battling “sleepy limbs”, there are a few things that you can try at home to combat the numbness. Increasing the amount of exercise you do on a daily basis is a great place to start. When your whole body is moving--such as with a light cardio workout--your blood starts pumping at an accelerated rate. This allows blood to reach all areas of the body and reawaken your nerve endings. If you’re a smoker, you may want to consider quitting or at least cutting back on the number of cigarettes you smoke a day as circulation impairment is a common side effect of long-term smoking. If you usually maintain a certain position each day, that could be a huge contribution to the numbness you experience. Try taking a break every hour to get up and change positions.

If you believe that your skin numbness may be linked to a circulatory condition or to an injury, you might want to consider seeing your doctor for a proper examination. Serious issues may require specialized treatment or care.