Tingling in your feet, or that pins and needles feeling, may happen if your feet "fall asleep" after lying on them for too long. Conditions like arthritis and diabetes can cause neuropathy (nerve damage) or nerve compression that may also lead to tingling in your feet.

A pinched nerve, or nerve root compression, occurs if something pushes on or irritates the part of your nerve that extends from your spinal cord. Nerve root compression may cause tingling in your feet. In addition to tingling in your feet, you may have loss of reflexes, lower back pain, numbness, and weak muscles.

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that affects your feet and legs, and sometimes the arms and hands. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include tingling, burning, numbness, pain, weakness, and trouble sensing temperature or pain. These symptoms are often worse at night.

Raynaud's disease causes decreased blood flow to your fingers, toes, and other areas, which makes your skin appear blue, white, or paler than usual. Skin color changes can be more subtle in darker skin tones. You may notice tingling as blood flow returns. Other symptoms include burning, numbness, redness, swelling, and throbbing.

Causes: Blood vessels narrow from triggers like cold or stress, which causes reduced blood flow.

Treatment: Treatment involves soaking the affected areas in warm water, wearing socks, and avoiding triggers like cold exposure. No medications are approved to treat the condition, but a healthcare provider may prescribe a medication for off-label use. In severe cases, sympathectomy, a surgery that targets the nerves causing blood vessels to narrow, may relieve symptoms.

Your spinal cord sends messages between your brain and muscles. Tingling in your feet may occur if something interrupts those messages. Other symptoms of spinal cord compression include coordination problems, loss of fine motor skills, numbness, stiff neck, and weak muscles.

Causes: Any disease or injury that puts pressure on the spinal cord can cause spinal cord compression. Compression is more likely in people with a narrow spinal canal and people over 40.

Treatment: First-line treatment for mild cases of spinal cord compression includes avoiding vigorous physical activity, NSAIDs, muscle relaxants, physical therapy, and steroid injections. Surgery is an option for moderate to severe cases.

Tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) occurs when the tibial nerve gets compressed. This nerve compression can cause tingling in your feet. Other TTS symptoms, which typically affect the bottom of your feet, include muscle damage, numbness, and weakness.

Chronic, heavy alcohol use can damage nerves over time. This nerve damage is known as alcoholic neuropathy and can cause tingling in your feet. Alcoholic neuropathy is a complication of alcohol use disorder, a medical condition characterized by compulsive alcohol consumption.

Causes: Long-term heavy alcohol use is associated with poor nutrition. It can also damage nerves and cause inflammation. All of these factors can contribute to alcoholic neuropathy.

Treatment: Treatment for alcoholic neuropathy can include supplements, physical therapy, and medications. A healthcare provider may recommend counseling if you need support to stop drinking.

Bacterial or viral infections can cause Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), which is a nerve disorder that may cause tingling in the feet. Other symptoms may include an abnormal heart rate, imbalance, pain, and weakness.

Causes: The immune system may mistakenly target and attack nerve cells in response to an infection like COVID-19, herpes simplex, HIV, or the flu. 

Treatment: There is no cure for GBS, but treatment can manage symptoms. Apheresis and plasmapheresis, medical procedures that can remove antibodies from the blood, can reduce nerve cell damage. Other treatments include blood thinners, breathing support, medications, and physical therapy.

Tingling in the feet can be a side effect of certain medications, such as those that treat HIV, hypertension (high blood pressure), and seizures. You may also develop tingling in your feet if you take certain supplements, such as vitamin B6.

Causes: Some medications and supplements can damage the nerve fibers or myelin sheath of nerves that surround your brain and spine. The myelin sheath is a protective layer around nerves.

Treatment: You may need to change your medication or lower the dose. Do not stop taking your medication before consulting a healthcare provider.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system targets and attacks healthy nerves. You may have tingling in the feet, as well as muscle spasms, numbness, and weakness.

Tingling in the feet can occur during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. It may feel like pins and needles or numbness.

Causes: Pregnancy causes your body to retain fluid and slows blood circulation, which can cause swelling in your ankles, feet, and legs. This swelling may affect the nerves and cause tingling or numbness.

Treatment: You can usually manage swelling during pregnancy at home. Elevate your legs and get light exercise to reduce fluid build-up and improve circulation. Your healthcare provider may also recommend wearing compression socks.

You do not need to see a healthcare provider if you occasionally notice tingling in your feet after they "fall asleep" from compression or lack of movement. This sensation may occur when you lie on your foot or ankle for too long, which puts pressure on the nerves.

Consult a healthcare provider if the tingling in your feet does not go away with movement or happens consistently. Try to log how often, when, and where you notice tingling in your feet. This record can help your healthcare provider make a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

You may notice tingling in your feet if they "fall asleep" after lying on them for too long. This type of foot tingling is not a cause for concern if it goes away quickly with movement.

Other times, nerve damage or compression from arthritis or injuries can cause a tingly feeling. Tingling in the feet may also signal conditions like peripheral neuropathy, Raynaud's disease, or TTS.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I worry about tingling feet?

Get emergency attention right away if you have tingling in your feet and have:

Back, head, or neck injury

Confusion

Limited mobility

Loss of bladder or bowel control

Unconsciousness

Vision changes, slurred speech, and trouble walking

Weakness

What deficiencies cause tingling in the feet?

Several vitamin and mineral deficiencies may cause tingling in the feet. Examples include folate or vitamin B1, B6, or B12 deficiency.

How do I get my feet to stop tingling?

You can usually stop feet tingling by managing the underlying condition. Talk to a healthcare provider about the best treatment plan for you.