Paresthesia facts for kids
Paresthesia (pron. paraesthesia in British English, pron.) is a feeling of tingling, prickling, or numbness with no permanent effects. It is commonly called "pins and needles". This feeling may last a short while, or may be more long-lasting. A long-term effect means there is something wrong with neurons in the body.
An example of this can be felt when sitting cross-legged for a long time and your foot "falls asleep". The tingling feeling you get when you move is paresthesia.
Causes
Paresthesia has many known causes, including the following:
- Alcoholism
- Anticonvulsant drugs such as topiramate, sultiame, and acetazolamide
- Anxiety and/or Panic Disorder
- Decompression sickness
- Dehydration
- Fabry disease
- Fibromyalgia
- Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)
- Heavy metals
- Hyperventilation
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypothyroidism
- Immune deficiency, such as Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP)
- Ingestion of Beta-alanine
- Lidocaine poisoning
- Lomotil
- Low blood-sugar (Hypoglycaemia)
- Menopause
- Migraines
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nitrous Oxide, long term exposure
- Obdormition
- Radiation poisoning
- Vitamin B5 deficiency
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Withdrawal from certain SSRIs, such as paroxetine
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Paresthesia Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.