Numbness in Feet That Isn't Just Your Foot Falling Asleep (2024)

Having your feet "fall asleep" is a common problem that occurs when a nerve is temporarily compressed in your leg. However, numbness in your feet is not the same thing and can be dangerous when left untreated.

Numbness in your feet can develop from compression or damage to nerves in your feet, legs, or back. It can also occur with medical conditions that affect blood flow to your feet such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and peripheral neuropathy. Foot numbness can be temporary—such as after an injury—or more permanent.

This article discusses foot numbness—what it feels like, possible causes, and treatment options.

Describing the Numbness in Your Feet

Numbness in your feet doesn't mean you can never feel them—symptoms can come and go.

Other symptoms that can occur with numbness include:

• Pain
• Tingling
• Burning sensation
• Foot feeling "cold"
• Prickling sensation
  

Numbness from severe damage or long-term nerve compression can also lead to weakness and muscle atrophy.

Causes of Numbness in Right, Left Foot, or Both Feet

Foot numbness can be caused by injury to nerves in the foot, leg, or back or by issues with your blood vessels (arteries or veins). It can also occur as a symptom of other neurological conditions or be a symptom of a mental health condition, such as anxiety.

These conditions can include:

• Peripheral neuropathy: This involves damage to the nervous system. The peripheral nervous system sends signals from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Nerves from different parts of the body can be affected, including the feet. It can cause a feeling of tingling and numbness.
• Small fiber sensory neuropathy: This disorder affects the small sensory cutaneous nerves. Most people feel sensations like pins-and-needles, tingling, and numbness that starts in the feet and progresses upwards.
• Multiple sclerosis: Numbness is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). It can be mild or severe enough to cause problems with walking.
• Morton's neuroma: A benign (non-cancerous) tumor of a nerve, it can cause discomfort in the foot, including numbness in the toes.
• Peripheral vascular disease: This condition refers to a narrowing of the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain, particularly in the lower limbs. One of the symptoms is numbness and coldness in the feet.
• Guillian-Barré syndrome: A rare neurological disorder that causes the immune system to attack the peripheral nervous system. One of the first symptoms is numbness and weakness in the feet.
• Diabetic neuropathy: Nerve damage due to diabetes. A common symptom is numbness in the hands and feet, usually on both sides.
• Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: A nerve disorder, it causes loss of sensation, as well as weakness and atrophy, in the legs and feet.
• Frostbite: Numbness is one of the signs of frostbite, along with redness, pain, blisters, and waxy skin.
• Lupus: An autoimmune disease that can damage the nerves of the body, leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, and in some cases, inability to move parts of the body.
• Alcoholic neuropathy: Alcoholism can lead to nerve damage, causing symptoms like numbness, feeling "pins-and-needles," and painful sensations.
• A pinched nerve in the lumbar spine (low back): With a pinched nerve, a problem with the nerve root can lead to numbness in the leg or foot.
• Degenerative disc disease: Wear-and-tear of joints in the lower back can lead to numbness and weakness in the lower extremities.
• Spinal cord injury: A spinal cord injury in the lower back can cause numbness in mild cases and paralysis in severe cases.
• Stroke: A sign of stroke is sudden weakness or numbness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
• Medication side effects (such as chemotherapy): Medications such as chemotherapy can sometimes lead to peripheral neuropathy and cause numbness, weakness, and pain. With chemotherapy, this can sometimes be referred to as "chemo foot."
• Lyme disease: An inflammatory disease caused by a tick bite, Lyme disease can cause peripheral neuropathy if untreated.
• Shingles: Caused by the varicella-zoster virus, shingles' initial symptoms can include tingling, pain, and burning on one side of the body.
• Anxiety: Anxiety disorders and panic attacks can cause physical symptoms, including tingling and numbness.
• Vitamin deficiency (such as B12): A vitamin B12 deficiency can cause symptoms to appear suddenly or slowly over time. Symptoms include numbness and tingling as well as anemia, balance problems, weakness, and difficulty thinking.

Immediate Relief for Numbness in Feet

You can improve foot numbness and related symptoms with home remedies and lifestyle habits. Check with your healthcare provider to ensure these activities are safe with your underlying condition.

Examples include:

• Apply capsaicin topical cream daily
• Massage your feet
• Soak in warm water
• Try an Epsom salt bath
• Avoid smoking
• Try compression socks
• Wear supportive shoes
• Stay active—take walks to increase blood flow to your feet

How to Treat Numbness in Feet

A healthcare provider may recommend one or more treatment options, depending on what is causing numbness in your feet.

Treatments can include:

• Physical therapy, such as for neurological conditions or peripheral neuropathy, to improve muscle strength
• Surgery, such as lumbar discectomy for a pinched nerve
• Nerve pain medications to dull pain and help reduce abnormal sensations
• Stress management and relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety
• Disease-modifying therapy for conditions such as multiple sclerosis
• Diabetic neuropathy medications, including anti-seizure drug pregabalin (Lyrica), to help block nerve pain signals
• Medications for anxiety to help with symptoms of a panic attack
• Medications for fibromyalgia, including pregabalin (Lyrica) and anti-depressants duloxetine (Cymbalta) and milnacipran HCI (Savella)
• Dietary changes and vitamin supplementation to fix deficiencies

Alternative treatments—such as reflexology—are sometimes beneficial for conditions that cause foot numbness, including diabetes. However, research in this area is lacking.

Chronic Numbness in Feet: Symptom Management

Sometimes numbness in the feet is chronic (long-lasting). Protecting your feet is essential to help prevent injuries that can adversely affect wound healing—particularly if numbness is related to decreased blood flow.

The following tips can help you manage symptoms associated with numbness in your feet:

• Check your skin every day (use a mirror if you cannot see the bottom of your feet, and remember to check between your toes).
• Wear proper-fitting shoes.
• Dry your feet thoroughly after your shower.
• Cut your toenails straight across (but not too short).
• Wear socks in your shoes to reduce friction.
• Take your medications as prescribed.
• Follow up with your healthcare provider regularly.
• See a physical therapist for safe exercises and training in the use of an assistive device (such as a cane or walker) if foot numbness affects your balance.

When to Call a Healthcare Provider

If you're experiencing numbness in your feet, contact your healthcare provider if you have:

• Unknown cause of numbness
• Numbness that persists or gets worse
• Frequent urination
• Rash
• Dizziness
• Muscle spasm
• Pain

Call 911 and get immediate medical attention for the following:

• Weakness or inability to move
• Numbness after a head, back, or neck injury
• Inability to control movement
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Slurred speech
• Trouble walking

Summary

Numbness in your feet can be more than just your foot "falling asleep." Foot numbness can be a sign of other medical conditions affecting the nervous or vascular systems. It can also occur with diseases such as diabetes or mental health conditions that cause anxiety. Home remedies like massage and compression socks can help decrease symptoms.

Treatment for foot numbness can include medications, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgery. Sometimes, foot numbness is chronic, such as neuropathy caused by diabetes. Taking proper care of your feet and following your healthcare provider's instructions are essential for preventing complications.