What it means
An abnormal feeling, medically called paresthesia, often felt in the hands, feet, lips or face. It can be harmless, as when a foot "falls asleep" from pressure. It can also come from neuropathynoo-ROP-uh-theeDamage to or disease of one or more nerves, most often the nerves of the hands and feet.neur/o nerve-pathy diseaseFull entry , a pinched nerve, a lack of vitamin B12, low calcium, fast breathing, a cast that is too tight, or a stroke.
For the nurse
Ask where, when and how long. Tingling with numbness or weakness on one side, or tingling and pain in a limb in a cast, must be reported at once. Tingling around the mouth and in the fingers can be a sign of low calcium.
At a glance
| Spanish | hormigueo |
|---|---|
| Also written | tingle, tingles, tingly |
Related terms
numbness
Loss or reduction of feeling in a part of the body.
weakness
A loss of muscle strength, so that moving a part of the body takes more effort or cannot be done.
neuropathy
Damage to or disease of one or more nerves, most often the nerves of the hands and feet.