Tingling fingers can be the result of several different conditions. Some of the more common causes include poor circulation, diabetes, and muscular dystrophy. In addition, people who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome may also experience the sensation. Carpal tunnel syndrome is only one of a number of nerve injuries that could result in tingling in the hand and fingers.
Numbness and tingling in the extremities is one of the many early warning signs of diabetes. This sensation is commonly experienced in the fingers, hands, and feet, and is often referred to as neuropathy. People who have diabetes sometimes experience tingling fingers as the result of nervous system damage caused from chronically high levels of glucose. This condition sometimes diminishes when glucose levels begin to return to normal, but in many instances, medication and sugar-restrictive diets may be necessary for this to occur.
Tingling fingers can also be the result of holding the hand in a single position for an extended amount of time. This is especially true if the position is awkward or uncomfortable. This type of tingling is also common in the legs and feet, and is usually the result of temporary restriction of blood circulation. When the fingers are moved into a new position, blood flow will normally return to the hand and fingers, and tingling will diminish. This condition is usually short lived and not considered a serious health risk.
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from damage to the median nerve, a nerve that runs from the forearm into the hand. The median nerve runs through a tunnel of cartilage, and repeated hand movements can sometimes cause the cartilage tunnel to become compressed. Extra pressure on the nerve can sometimes make hand and finger movements difficult and painful. In some cases, the median nerve may become damaged, which can cause the sensation of tingling in the fingers and hand.
In some cases, restrictive clothing or jewelry could be the cause of tingling fingers. Wearing rings or bracelets that are too small could cut off circulation to the hands or fingers. This could result in numbness and tingling. In many cases, hands or fingers that are not getting enough blood circulation may appear paler in color when compared to other parts of the body.
People who experience frequents episodes of tingling fingers should probably see a doctor. This may be especially true with tingling that does not diminish with finger movement. In some cases, these tingles could signal serious circulatory or nervous system disorders.