Why is My Foot Tingling?

Have you ever felt your foot tingling? This seemingly strange symptom is actually quite common. In his article on this topic for Foot Vitals, Dr. Gregg Congdon explains: “an estimated 20 million Americans…suffer from tingling feet.” While not necessarily a painful sensation, tingling can be quite uncomfortable or disturbing, particularly if it becomes prolonged. Austin foot doctor, Dr. Jeffery LaMour, and the rest of our podiatry practice are here to help you with anything concerning your feet. We are available to answer your questions. In the following blog, we answer one of our patients’ most prevalent quandaries: “why is my foot tingling?”

Symptoms of Tingling

Clearly, the primary symptom in foot tingling is a prickling (and perhaps even stinging) sensation. However, as Dr. Congdon notes, “besides the pins-and-needles effect, there are other symptoms that can sometimes accompany tingling feet.” These include:

• Numbness
• Discomfort
• Redness
• Skin abnormalities in the feet
• Trouble walking
• Twitching in the muscles
• Changes in eyesight
• Fatigue
• Itchiness in the feet
• Disorientation
• Bowel or bladder issues

Especially if accompanied by any of the above, contact our office if you experience foot tingling.

Common Causes

There are many potential sources of foot tingling, from mild to more severe. This trembling typically falls under the heading of “peripheral neuropathy,” or some degree of nerve damage in the outer regions of the body, such as the hands and feet.

• Pressure on the nerves. Your foot could “fall asleep” and begin tingling simply because you sit on it the wrong way.
• Toxic exposure. Tingling can be a side effect of certain drugs. It can also result from “industrial and environmental chemicals.”
• Trauma. Accidents and injuries can cause nerve damage and therefore, tingling.
• Diabetes. Web MD’s article on the topic reads: “diabetes is one of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy, accounting for about 30 percent of cases.” Diabetes often leads to “nerve damage,” and, in fact, tingling may be “the first signs of diabetes.”
• Poor circulation. Hereditary predispositions, artery function, nutritional issues, and other conditions can prevent blood from traveling properly throughout the body, which can cause tingling.
• Insufficient vitamin intake. Web MD reports: “vitamins E, B1, B6, B12, and niacin are essential for healthy nerve function,” and can lead to circumstances such as “anemia,” which can create tingling.
• Congenital conditions. Certain hereditary issues can lead to peripheral neuropathy.
• Unidentified. According to Web MD, “in…30 percent of peripheral neuropathy cases, the cause is unknown or ‘idiopathic.’”

Treatment Options

The remedy for foot tingling depends on the source of the sensation. For example, if your foot tingles because it’s simply “fallen asleep,” all you may need to do is move it around and the feeling should dissipate. However, if diabetes is the cause of your foot tingling, you may need to seek the advice of a specialist and get a more complex treatment plan. If you determine that a particular vitamin deficiency or nutritional issue is the cause of your symptoms, you may be able to change your diet to alleviate the discomfort. Dr. LaMour and our team can help you identify the source of your foot tingling and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. We provide a wide variety of foot and ankle services to assist you in any way we can.

Has Your Foot Been Tingling?

If you’ve been struggling with foot tingling, our podiatry office may be able to help. Given that there are so many causes of this condition, and that some of them are quite serious, it’s better to be safe than sorry.Contact Austin foot doctor, Dr. LaMour, today to learn more about our practice or to schedule a consultation.