RA
1
1
Moderate severity
· Neurology
Peripheral Neuropathy
Nerve damage in hands & feet
Damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, often from diabetes, B12 deficiency or chemotherapy. Causes tingling, burning and numbness.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- 1 in 4 long-standing diabetics
- Typical age
- Any age
- Outlook
- Manageable
- System
- Brain
Reviewed by a verified Neurology doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Diabetes — number one cause
- Vitamin B12 / B1 deficiency
- Alcohol, chemotherapy drugs
- Kidney disease, hypothyroidism
- Autoimmune (Guillain-Barré)
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Burning, tingling, numb feet/hands
- Worse at night
- Loss of balance
- Wounds you don't feel
- Weakness if motor nerves involved
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Treat underlying cause
- Vitamin B12 injections if deficient
- Gabapentin, duloxetine for pain
- Foot protection if numb
- Physiotherapy
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Tight diabetes control
- Limit alcohol
- Eat B-vitamin rich foods
- Annual foot exam for diabetics
Do’s
- Check feet daily
- Wear well-fitting shoes
- Test bath water with elbow
- Treat B12 deficiency early
Don’ts
- Walk barefoot if numb
- Ignore a foot ulcer
- Drink heavily
- Use hot water bottles on numb feet
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
Top specialists
See all neurology doctors Top 4 doctors for Peripheral Neuropathy
Ranked by patient rating, years of experience and review volume. All verified by MediConsult’s clinical team.
RS
2
2
BS
3
3
PP
4
4
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.