When your hand goes numb, it’s not just a weird sensation—it’s your body trying to tell you something. Hand numbness, a loss of feeling or tingling in the hand or fingers, often caused by nerve pressure or damage. Also known as tingling hands, it can come and go, or stick around long enough to make you wonder if it’s normal. Most people brush it off as "my arm fell asleep," but if it happens often, lasts more than a few minutes, or spreads to your arm, it’s not just a pinched nerve—it could be something deeper.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, a common cause of hand numbness where the median nerve gets squeezed at the wrist affects millions, especially people who type, drive, or use tools daily. Then there’s peripheral neuropathy, nerve damage often tied to diabetes, vitamin deficiencies, or alcohol use, which can make your fingers feel like they’re wrapped in cotton. And don’t forget nerve compression, where nerves in the neck or elbow get pinched and send signals of numbness down to the hand. These aren’t the same problem, and they don’t get fixed the same way.
Simple fixes often help: adjusting how you hold your phone, taking breaks from repetitive motions, or wearing a wrist splint at night. But if your numbness comes with weakness, pain that shoots up your arm, or happens while you’re resting, you’re not dealing with just poor posture. That’s when you need to look beyond stretches and see a doctor. Some causes, like a pinched nerve in your neck, can be fixed with physical therapy. Others, like early-stage diabetes or thyroid issues, need blood tests and medication. Ignoring it won’t make it go away—it might make it worse.
The posts below cover real cases and practical advice. You’ll find what actually works for hand numbness treatment, from home remedies that help to red flags you shouldn’t ignore. Some explain how medications can cause tingling. Others show how conditions like carpal tunnel mimic other problems—and how to tell the difference. No fluff. Just what you need to know to stop the numbness before it turns into something bigger.
Ulnar neuropathy causes numbness and weakness in the hand due to nerve compression at the elbow or wrist. Learn the symptoms, non-surgical treatments, when surgery is needed, and how to prevent permanent damage.