Have you ever experienced a tingling sensation in your ankle or foot? You’re not alone, and the sensation is more common than you might think. There are a number of different reasons why you may be experiencing a tingling sensation in your feet, and while a lot of them aren’t cause for major concern, it doesn’t mean you should ignore the sensation. Below, we take a closer look at why your foot may feel tingly.
What Causes Tingling Sensation in Feet?
The tingling sensation you feel in your feet can be caused by a variety of different issues. If you’re just experiencing the tingling sensation, you’re probably in the clear, but if it is coupled with numbness, redness, discomfort, difficulty walking, balance issues or bladder and vision problems, you should bring this to the attention of your foot specialist or primary care physician. These symptoms suggest there’s more to your condition than a simple nerve pressure.
The most common cause of a tingling foot is due to nerve compression. If you put abnormal pressure on your foot, or it’s tucked underneath you as you sit on the couch, nerves can become compressed and cause these tingling sensations to be felt. Another common cause is from inhibited circulation. If you have your feet elevated or remain in a prone position for a long time, blood may not flow as easily to your extremities and it could lead to a tingling sensation. Neither of these issues are serious as long as movement alleviates the sensation after a short while, but it should serve as a reminder to move regularly and avoid abnormal nerve pressure.
More serious conditions that could cause a tingling sensation in your feet include:
- Diabetes or peripheral nerve damage
- Insufficient vitamin intake
- Hereditary conditions
- Injury/Trauma
- Medication use
- Chemical/Toxic exposure
If you’re experiencing regular bouts of tingling sensations, or you have reason to believe you may be dealing with the side effects of one of the above more serious conditions, make it a point to talk to your doctor to learn how to best manage the condition.
Treating The Tingling Sensation
Treating the condition depends on the cause, but in a lot of cases, avoiding compressing the nerves in your feet and exercising and moving regularly are great ways to avoid the sensation. However, if you have diabetes or have experienced trauma to the foot, more hands-on treatment may be necessary. Treatment will revolve around managing the underlying cause, not by treating the symptom, which is the tingling sensation.
Common treatment options include switching medications, increasing your vitamin intake, increasing your exercise, managing your blood sugar levels, and participating in physical therapy or other treatments to recover from acute trauma are all great ways to manage the tingling sensation in your feet. However, you’ll only truly know which is the best option for you if you visit your foot specialist and get an individualized diagnosis.
