Long-lasting pins and needles

Sometimes, pins and needles can occur over a long period of time. It can be a sign of a wide range of health conditions, including:

  • diabetes a condition in whichthere is too much glucose in the blood.
  • acompressed ulnar nerve the ulnar nerve starts in yourneck and runs down the inside of your upper arm to yourelbow, then down to the little finger side of your hand; it can be compressed at any point, but the elbow is most commonly affected
  • carpal tunnel syndrome pain, numbness and a burning or tingling sensation in the hand caused by a build-up of pressure in the small tunnel that runs fromthewrist to the lower palm (the carpal tunnel)
  • sciatica pain caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the back ofyour pelvis, through your buttocks and down both legs to your feet

Persistent pins and needles can also occur after an injury, or becaused by certain treatments, such as chemotherapy .

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018