A sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping on the skin having no direct cause and usually associated with irritation or injury to a sensory nerve or nerve root. Also identified by sensory loss, tingling and numbness, or loss of sensation.
Medical conditions causing paresthesias include: carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes , migraines, multiple sclerosis, seizures, stroke, TIA or transient ischemic attack, underactive thyroid, or Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Paresthesias can also be caused by; remaining in the same position for prolonged periods, injury to a nerve, pressure on the spinal nerves (disk herniation), lack of blood supply to an area of the body, abnormal levels of calcium, potassium or sodium, lack of vitamin B12 or other vitamins, certain medications, toxic agents such as lead, alcohol or tobacco, radiation therapy.