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Numbness and Tingling in Feet: Common Causes and When It Is Urgent
Numbness and tingling in feet is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Common causes include diabetes, low vitamin B12, too much vitamin B6, alcohol, kidney disease and a pinched nerve in the back. Sudden weakness or loss of bladder or bowel control is urgent. Nervecept does not treat any of these causes.
Written by the Nervecept label deskUpdated · 4 min read
What causes numbness and tingling in feet?
Many things can. NINDS lists over 100 types of peripheral neuropathy, with diabetes as the leading cause (NINDS, Peripheral Neuropathy).
Because the causes differ, treatment targets the cause. Guessing from the symptom alone does not work. The list below follows the sources used on this site.
| Cause | What to know |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | About one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy (NIDDK, Diabetic Neuropathy) |
| Low vitamin B12 | Can cause numbness and tingling; metformin may lower B12 (NIH ODS, Vitamin B12) |
| Too much vitamin B6 | Long-term high doses can damage sensory nerves |
| Alcohol, kidney disease, infections | Listed by NINDS among causes |
| Chemotherapy and other drugs | Some medicines damage nerves |
| Pinched nerve (sciatica) | Pressure in the back can cause leg numbness and tingling (MedlinePlus, Sciatica) |
When is numbness and tingling in the feet urgent?
It is urgent when it comes on suddenly or with weakness. Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, a drooping face or trouble speaking needs 911 now.
Loss of bladder or bowel control, fever with back pain, or numbness or weakness in the buttocks, thigh or leg also needs care right away (MedlinePlus, Sciatica). Slow, mild tingling still deserves a visit, so ask for the earliest appointment.
- Sudden one-sided numbnessArm, leg or face, on one side of the body
- Face drooping, slurred speechOr trouble understanding speech
- Bladder or bowel changesLost control with back pain or numb inner thighs
- Weakness that spreadsGetting much worse over hours or days
- A foot sore that will not healOr a red, hot, swollen foot
SoonTingling, burning or numbness in the feet or hands that lasts more than a few weeks, keeps you up at night, or comes with diabetes, heavy drinking or chemotherapy: book a doctor visit and ask about B12 and blood sugar tests.
Call 911For sudden numbness or weakness on one side, a drooping face, trouble speaking, or sudden loss of bladder or bowel control.
Causes and warning signs from NINDS (NINDS, Peripheral Neuropathy) and MedlinePlus (MedlinePlus, Sciatica); foot sores from CDC (CDC, Your Feet and Diabetes).
What should you bring to a doctor visit?
Bring a short symptom note and a list of everything you take. That helps your clinician find the cause faster.
- When it started and which foot or toes
- Whether it is worse at night
- Your diabetes status and recent blood sugar numbers
- All medicines, vitamins and supplements, with amounts
Ask about a B12 check if you take metformin or acid reducers. Keep taking prescribed medicine while you wait for answers.
Where does Nervecept fit?
Nervecept does not treat the causes above. It is a dietary supplement with eight ingredients, led by glucosamine sulfate 500 mg, and no trial has tested it.
The label has no vitamin B12 and no B6. It contains shellfish (crayfish). If you wish to try it, see a clinician first, because the cause of your tingling may need real treatment. Read the ingredients page to judge each line, and see the neuropathy basics guide for the wider picture.
FAQ01
Nervecept questions people ask
Is numbness in both feet more serious than in one?
Both need a visit. Numbness in both feet has many possible causes, including diabetes and low B12. Sudden numbness on one side of the body needs 911.
Can low vitamin B12 cause tingling in the feet?
Yes. The NIH says B12 deficiency can cause numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, sometimes without anemia.
Can a supplement make my feet tingle?
Yes. Too much vitamin B6 can damage sensory nerves over time. List every product you take and show it to your clinician.
Who wrote this02
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a Nervecept licensed U.S. outlet, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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