2. Tingling or Prickling Sensations: The Unsettling “Pins and Needles”
Ever felt like thousands of tiny pins are pricking your feet? Or like ants are marching up and down your arms? These aren’t figments of an overactive imagination but tell-tale signs of peripheral neuropathy. This “pins and needles” sensation, medically termed paresthesia, is the second symptom we’ll delve into.
The onset of this peculiar sensation often confounds patients. One moment they’re going about their day, and the next, they’re grappling with this unsettling feeling. But what triggers this sensation?
Remember our earlier analogy of peripheral nerves being akin to electric cables? When these cables get damaged, not only do they stop transmitting sensations properly, they also start sending incorrect signals to the brain.
Think of it as a TV with poor reception. The screen doesn’t go black – instead, it displays a chaotic flurry of static. Similarly, damaged nerves start sending erratic signals, which the brain interprets as this tingling sensation.
But don’t let the innocuous term “tingling” fool you. This sensation can range from mildly annoying to downright debilitating, disrupting daily activities and sleep patterns. It typically affects the hands and feet, although it can spread to other parts of the body as the condition progresses. (2)
