Goosebumps: strong emotions or a symptom of a serious illness? What are goosebumps and why do they run all over your body?
However, if you constantly feel goosebumps in your arms and legs, you need to pay attention to your health.
The most common reasons for this phenomenon:
Pinched nerve in the neck or back
Sleeping in an awkward position or getting injured while playing sports can cause a pinched nerve in the back. Although this is not a serious problem, it can cause tingling in the arms and legs. You may experience pain in certain positions or feel stiffness in your shoulders.
It is very important to treat this ailment in time, because in the future it can lead to arthritis.
It is important not to try to solve the problem yourself. There are specific medicines that will help cope with pain. Even better is physical therapy, which helps relax the problem area and return the nerve to its place.
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Goosebumps in both arms and legs may be due to a lack of vitamin B12 in the body. Its deficiency causes anemia, since red blood cells do not have time to form in sufficient quantities.
The following symptoms may occur:
- Fatigue;
- Pale skin;
- Inability to concentrate;
- Breathing problems;
- Depression;
Make adjustments to your diet by increasing the amount of foods rich in vitamin B12 in your diet:
- Poultry meat
- Beef
- Seafood
- Yogurt
- Dairy products
- Mutton
- Liver
- Tuna
- Trout
The lack of this vitamin is most often felt by vegetarians who adhere to too radical a diet.
If you follow a vegetarian diet, include the following foods in your diet:
- Cereal products (including cereal bars);
- Tofu cheese;
- Soy and its derivatives;
- Lactose powder.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Do you spend a lot of time with your smartphone in your hands or at the computer? Repetitive movements and vibrations can cause compression of the nerve in the wrist, called carpal tunnel syndrome, and pins and needles in the hands.
What you can do:
- Give your hands a rest every 30 minutes or every hour. During a break, rotate your hands, clench and unclench your fingers;
- If possible, do some shoulder stretches to completely relax your arms;
- Make sure you are sitting in the correct position. Use a desk at the right height - neither too low nor too high, and a comfortable chair.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, prediabetes, or insulin resistance, monitor your blood glucose levels. The fact is that an excess of glucose in the blood is toxic to the nervous system and causes goosebumps in the arms and legs.
This toxicity also occurs in diabetic neuropathy.
- From time to time, conduct an A1C (glycolysed hemoglobin) examination, which will indicate the actual level of glucose in the blood over the last 3 months;
- Monitor your diet and condition to avoid sudden spikes in blood glucose levels;
- Follow physical exercise, strengthening muscles.
Hypothyroidism
If your thyroid is not functioning properly, you may experience tingling muscles, extreme fatigue, sensitivity to cold, weight gain, dry skin, and hair loss.
If these symptoms are present, consult a doctor and get your blood tested as soon as possible, since without appropriate treatment the problem will only get worse.
Multiple sclerosis
Sclerosis affects women more often than men, especially between the ages of 20 and 40.
Most often it is accompanied by the following symptoms (in addition to goosebumps in the arms and legs):
- Balance disorders;
- Numbness of the limbs;
- Impaired mobility of arms and legs;
- Visual impairment;
- Itching and burning;
- Difficulty concentrating.
If tingling in your arms and legs is associated with multiple sclerosis, you should immediately consult a doctor. Goosebumps are due to the fact that the functioning of some organs is disrupted. published econet.ru
P.S. And remember, just by changing your consciousness, we are changing the world together! © econet
Numbness in a person's limbs can be a sign of a serious illness. However, on the other hand, paresthesia of the legs and arms does not always indicate some terrible diagnoses. Today we will figure out in which situations you should not worry, and in which you should immediately seek help from a specialist in order to get rid of such unpleasant symptoms and, of course, cure the disease itself. 
When should you not worry?
Such unpleasant sensations as tingling and numbness of the fingers and toes, burning and “pins and needles” in the extremities are called paresthesia in medicine. Often, such symptoms occur as a result of short-term compression of the nerves due to an uncomfortable posture. In this case, paresthesia is most often one-sided, that is, numbness and tingling occurs in the right arm or, for example, the left leg.
For example, a person sits for a long time with his lower limbs bent, or sleeps in an uncomfortable position. As a result, your legs begin to tingle and “goosebumps” appear. Another case: in a crowded transport, a person is forced to hold on to the handrail for a long time with his right or left hand. As a result, numbness of the upper limbs occurs. In this case, numbness and tingling of the left hand, as well as the right, can be eliminated as follows: straighten the hand, change the position of the body and wait a little until the condition returns to normal.
That is, special treatment for paresthesia in this case is not required. But there are situations when such a symptom appears frequently and does not depend on the position of the limbs. Then consultation with a specialist is required. Based on the examination, the doctor prescribes additional research methods, and then adequate treatment.
Spinal problems
Numbness and tingling of the fingers can indicate serious problems such as osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia.
In the first disease, the cause of paresthesia is growths on the vertebrae that appear as a result of degenerative changes. And these layers can compress the nerve endings, which leads to such consequences.
If a person has an intervertebral hernia, then the cause of discomfort is compression of the nerve. Most often, strangulation occurs on one side, for example, on the left, which is why numbness and tingling of the left hand is observed.
Hemodynamic disturbance
Paresthesia may be one of the first signs of a stroke or vascular problems. These unhealthy conditions are caused mostly by hypertension or atherosclerosis. Tingling in the hands and numbness in the limbs can also be caused by stress or mental stress. In any case, if a person regularly observes such negative manifestations in himself, he should immediately go to the doctor, since the causes of such ailment may be too serious.
Factors of leg numbness
The etiology of paresthesia of the lower extremities of a person can be both diseases of the body and an incorrect lifestyle.
Most often, tingling and numbness in the legs occurs with the following health problems:
- Osteochondrosis.
- Neuropathy is damage to the nerve endings in the lower extremities.
- Intervertebral hernia.
- Reine's disease. This disease has been little studied in medicine. During this disease, blood circulation in the lower extremities is weakened. Paresthesia of the legs in this case is accompanied by swelling and spasms.
- Rheumatoid arthritis is a joint disease that causes deformation of the knees and compression of the nerves. This disease is also accompanied by severe pain and swelling in the legs.
- Multiple sclerosis, which is characterized by lignification of the tissues of the spinal cord and brain. In this case, a person develops pain in the legs, and the limbs go numb.
- Atherosclerosis. This diagnosis is most often given to people over 50 years of age. During this disease, tingling and numbness occurs in the legs, and the patient also complains of weakness and fatigue.
Lack of nutrients and vitamins
A very common cause of paresthesia of the limbs is a deficiency of certain substances that are very important for normal operation body. A lack of vitamin B12, which is responsible for the metabolic processes of the nervous system, can lead to impaired sensitivity of the lower extremities.
Treatment in this case is simple: you need to compensate for the lack of this element and in the future monitor the required content of it in the body.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women often experience tingling and numbness in their legs. However, you should not be scared and look for possible diseases accompanied by such a symptom. This is a normal phenomenon, which is associated with changes occurring in the body of a pregnant woman: excess fluid occurs, as a result of which the limbs may swell. In addition, the heart also works for the baby, blood volume increases, which leads to hemodynamic disturbances. In this case, a pregnant woman experiences tingling and numbness in her legs at night or after sleep. In such cases, no treatment is required, because everything will go away after childbirth.
Treatment of paresthesia of the lower extremities
Once the cause of the numbness has been identified and an accurate diagnosis has been made, the patient should follow all the doctor’s recommendations. In addition, there is a whole range of measures that relieve leg fatigue, tension in the spine, and eliminate numbness of the limbs. You should remember or even write down these simple techniques that will help overcome paresthesia:
1. Playing sports. Cycling, swimming, regular walking and other types of similar exercise will help get rid of numbness and tingling in the legs and arms, as well as develop the spine.
2. A healthy lifestyle, which includes quitting smoking and alcohol. If a person drinks alcohol or smokes, a spasm of blood vessels occurs in the body. As a result, tingling and numbness in the legs and arms, cramps and other undesirable symptoms appear.
3. Proper nutrition. The main component of the diet should be warm porridges - oatmeal, buckwheat, pearl barley. Also don't forget about fresh vegetables and fruits.
4. Hypothermia of the body should not be allowed during the cold season.
5. Contrast baths. Daily treatments with hot and cold water will ease the physical condition of your feet. To do this, you need to alternately lower your limbs for half a minute in a container with the heated liquid as much as possible, and then with an ice-cold liquid. The procedure should be carried out in the morning and evening, and after such a bath you should lubricate your feet with turpentine ointment and put on warm socks so as not to get sick.
Now you know that the causes of such unpleasant sensations as tingling and numbness in the legs and arms can be very different. And such symptoms should not always be considered as a sign of some terrible illness. After all, often an incorrect posture can be the reason for the appearance of “goosebumps”, and then no treatment is required. However, if tingling and numbness occurs frequently, then a person needs to consult a doctor to find out the cause of such symptoms and overcome the disease in time.
Every cell of the human body has a connection with the nervous system - the ancient part of it, which we do not control, and the young cortex, which issues commands from consciousness. The message is carried out using nerve fibers, and they can exist normally if they are not under pressure from the outside and are not damaged from the inside. When such a situation does arise, it manifests itself as a sensation as if goosebumps are running down the skin. Then this symptom is not associated with the experience of any emotions and does not go away after switching to another thought.
Let us examine in more detail what this or that localization of these unpleasant sensations may mean, and what the duration of the “goosebumps” indicates.
Types and mechanism of “goosebumps”
The sensation of tingling and crawling is medically called “paresthesia.” They appear in response to irritation of nerve endings, the brain or spinal cord. The nature of this phenomenon is as follows: the sensitive nerve ending receives several different unrelated signals at once, layering on top of each other. As a result, the nerve does not know how to react correctly to this variety, and “turns on” numbness, burning, “pins and needles” or tingling.
Paresthesia is usually felt below the irritated area of the nerve. They may be accompanied by “goose bumps” - “pimples” in the area of hair growth, which is an analogue of the puffiness of fur or quills in animals.
Paresthesias can be:
- temporary, occurring when sitting in an uncomfortable position, freezing, sexual arousal, a feeling of euphoria from listening to music or when negative emotions appear. They are usually described as “pins and needles on your legs” and go away when the irritating factor stops. Not accompanied by cramps, pain or sensory disturbances;
- chronic, recurring. They are signs of the disease, and can be accompanied by two types of symptoms:
- indicating damage to the nerve fiber. These are: numbness in the limbs or only in the fingers, tingling sensation, goosebumps. Sometimes local twitching (convulsions) develops here;
- indicating damage to those nerves that are connected to the vessels of this area. This is evidenced by: pale skin, deterioration of temperature and pain sensitivity, cool temperature, hair loss.
Transient (temporary) paresthesia is a variant of the norm and does not require medical intervention. If “goosebumps” run without any visible effect on the skin, you definitely need to look for their cause and eliminate it.
What diseases provoke paresthesia?
The causes of goosebumps are varied. Let's list them first:
- osteochondrosis;
- damage to nerve fibers of various localizations - neuropathy;
- high blood glucose levels;
- impaired nutrition of nerve fibers due to diabetes mellitus, poisoning, including chronic alcohol intoxication - polyneuropathy;
- low blood levels of calcium or magnesium;
- nerve fiber injury;
- damage to nerve fibers by antibodies;
- varicose veins;
- migraine;
- Raynaud's syndrome;
- atherosclerosis of arterial vessels;
- insufficient intake of vitamins B1, 6, C;
- arthritis;
- restless legs syndrome;
- tumors of nerve fibers;
- tumor in the parietal lobe of the brain;
- autoimmune vascular damage - vasculitis;
- insufficiency of parathyroid gland function – hypoparathyroidism;
- neurasthenia;
- obliterating endarteritis;
- multiple sclerosis;
- trigeminal neuralgia;
- stroke;
- taking certain medications;
- shingles;
- rabies;
- follicular hyperkeratosis;
- entry of the filling mass into the canal of a tooth with a living nerve;
- damage to the nerve ending during tooth extraction.
If “goose bumps” is the name given to the external manifestation – “goose bumps”, without any other symptoms, then this pathology is called follicular hyperkeratosis.
Here, due to poor nutrition of the skin or constant irritation, the upper layer of the skin thickens excessively, and the mouths of the hair follicles become inflamed. Dermatocosmetologists treat pathology with various local and systemic means.
Goosebumps on the body, arms and legs
This symptom is accompanied by many diseases. Let's consider the main ones in more detail.
Hypovitaminosis B1
Vitamin B1 is needed for the normal functioning of the nervous system. It is involved in the production of acetylcholine - a substance that allows a nerve impulse to reach the muscle, intestines, sweat gland, heart - and transmit its command to it. Its insufficient intake from food or acceleration of its breakdown leads to:
- feeling of pins and needles on the legs and arms;
- irritability;
- headache;
- memory impairment;
- constipation;
- increased heart rate;
- heart pain;
- swelling;
- shortness of breath;
- sometimes even paralysis and cardiovascular failure.
Such symptoms require prompt diagnosis and treatment: administration of synthetic vitamin thiamine and diet correction.
Hypoparathyroidism
This is a reduced function of the parathyroid glands, in which the level of calcium in the blood decreases. It manifests itself not only as goose bumps in the limbs, but also:
- painful contractions of the muscles of the limbs, body and face: the arm is brought towards the body, it is “bent” at the wrist and elbow joints, the corners of the mouth are lowered, the eyelids are lowered by half, the body is arched back;
- swallowing is paroxysmally impaired;
- there is a stabbing pain in the abdomen;
- there may be vomiting, diarrhea;
- fainting occurs;
- twilight vision is impaired;
- “blocks” the ears;
- there are pains and interruptions in the heart;
- hair becomes thinner, the number of hair shafts falling out increases;
- the skin is peeling;
- large number teeth are affected by caries;
- nails become dull;
- With prolonged absence of therapy, cataracts develop.
Decreased calcium levels
Here the same symptoms develop as with hypoparathyroidism, but they are not as pronounced and occur more easily. Often, the pathology is manifested only by painful spasms of the muscles of the limbs and face, which immediately follow goosebumps, increased heart rate, trembling and recurrent vomiting. With an extremely low level of this electrolyte in the blood, difficulty breathing may develop until it stops, and painful arching of the entire body.
Low blood magnesium levels
This condition manifests itself:
- weakness;
- lack of appetite;
- nausea, vomiting;
- trembling of the body or individual muscles;
- Convulsions may occur in which the entire body contracts or arches. This is most common in children.
Taking medications
The appearance of goose bumps can be caused by taking drugs such as: Ofloxacin, Protionamide, Isonazid, Cycloserine, drugs against epilepsy and blood pressure lowering drugs.
Arrhythmias
In the case of the development of attack-like (paroxysmal) rhythm disturbances, a person may notice:
- “goosebumps” running over the body;
- chills at normal body temperature.
This state lasts from ten minutes or more; most often develops at night.
Brain stroke
Paralysis or partial immobility of the limbs on one side may be preceded by a feeling of numbness and crawling, sometimes on the opposite side. There is also a headache, there may be short- or long-term loss of consciousness, focal symptoms are observed: facial asymmetry, different widths of the palpebral fissures, inability to speak or understand speech.
Damage to the parietal lobe of the brain
A tumor or encephalitis that develops in the lobe responsible for sensitivity is accompanied by other symptoms: the inability to perform complex actions, failure to recognize objects if you close your eyes and feel them with your hands, loss of the ability to write. There may also be loss of half of the visual field and loss of the sense of one's own body diagram.
Guillain-Barre syndrome
This condition occurs after a viral infection (mainly colds and herpes), or intestinal infection caused by the Campylobacter bacterium or enteroviruses.
Here, in the period from 5 to 21 days after the illness, antibodies are formed to certain areas of the spinal nerve roots. This is manifested by the appearance of pins and needles on the legs, the range of movements gradually decreases, and sensitivity is impaired. The process may appear immediately on your hands. It may involve a certain volume, but may spread towards the chest. The last symptom is very dangerous and requires urgent hospitalization in the intensive care unit, as it can progress to respiratory arrest.
Head injury
A brain contusion can lead to the appearance of pins and needles on both one and two sides. After this, loss of sensation may develop.
Shingles
The disease is caused by the same virus as chickenpox; occurs in those who have already had it. It manifests itself as the appearance of goosebumps in the projection of any nerve, but more often - one of the intercostal nerves. Goosebumps precede the appearance of redness here, on which bubbles with transparent contents soon appear. The affected area burns and hurts.
Multiple sclerosis
This is an autoimmune pathology when one’s own antibodies begin to attack the membrane of most nerve fibers, as a result of which the latter become “naked” and begin to destroy themselves. There is no clear sequence or algorithm for damage to fibers, so it is difficult to recognize the disease.
Most often, it begins with deterioration of vision in one eye, the sensation of a foreign body in it, and the appearance of blurred contours of the objects in question. This condition lasts about a week, then goes away on its own, but not completely. Subsequently, the symptom will recur. Gradually, it leads to disruption of coordinated eye movements and a change in the normal reaction of the pupils to light. Usually, after this, goosebumps and pain appear on the face, which is the basis for making a diagnosis of “Facial neuritis” or “Trigeminal neuralgia”. Later, loss of coordination, changes in handwriting, and transient trembling of objects develop.
Also, the initial manifestations of the disease include goosebumps, burning, numbness or tightening of the skin that occurs on any part of the body. It goes away on its own and often does not serve as a reason to contact a neurologist or therapist.
Polyneuropathy
This disease is characterized by damage to the peripheral nervous system due to poisoning (including alcohol surrogates), metabolic disorders (mainly due to diabetes mellitus). It is dangerous because the disconnection of nerves, starting from remote areas of the body (fingers and toes), spreads closer and closer to the respiratory muscles, and can also involve the nerves that command the contraction of the muscles responsible for breathing.
Polyneuropathy manifests itself as a deterioration in the motor activity of the legs and arms, starting with the fingers, the appearance of goosebumps and numbness in these areas, and the gradual “turning off” of sensitivity in the areas of socks and gloves.
Goosebumps on the face and hands
If goosebumps crawl across the skin of your face and hands, this may be one of the following pathologies.
Migraine
At first, goosebumps appear on the face (especially around the mouth) and hands, then a headache develops mainly in one half of the head. In this case, paresthesia should be regarded as a migraine aura - a condition that precedes an attack of pain.
Tumor or inflammation of the frontal lobe of the brain
A change in personality (a person becomes “not the same as usual”) along with goosebumps in the lips and fingers may indicate damage to the frontal lobe. Only a neurologist can refute such a diagnosis, sometimes only on the basis of an MRI of the brain.
Goosebumps on the scalp
If you have goosebumps on the back of your head, it could be:
- Neuropathy of the greater occipital nerve. At the same time, goosebumps, numbness and tingling are felt in the area of the back of the head to the crown; here there is increased or decreased sensitivity. You can find pain points in the back of the head.
- Neuropathy of the cervical plexus with compression of its sensory nerves. Here in the area of the back of the head, neck, shoulder girdle and behind the ear, pain and goosebumps are felt.
- Transient ischemic attack (ministroke). In this case, the tingling sensation is felt for 1-2 hours, then disappears, leaving no focal changes.
- Bell's palsy. At first, goosebumps are felt on one side of the face, after which weakness of the muscles on this side appears, and then they completely cease to provide movement to one side of the mouth and facial muscles.
Goosebumps on your hands
If you notice goosebumps crawling on your arm, please note: this may be due to the following reasons.
Anterior scalene syndrome
When this muscle is overstrained, which is caused by compression of the lower trunk of the brachial plexus and the subclavian artery, pain and pins and needles are noted in the arm - from the shoulder to the little finger and ring finger. When turning the head, the pain radiates to the back of the head and chest. There may be numbness and chilliness in the hand, and the skin becomes pale or more bluish.
Brachial plexus syndrome
It is characterized by deterioration of movement in the hand, goosebumps and decreased sensitivity in the part of the hand that is located on the little finger side.
Raynaud's disease
Manifested by coldness and paleness of the fingers. Goosebumps crawl over them, the fingers first turn blue and begin to hurt, then their skin turns red, and the pain subsides. Often not only the fingers, but also the toes are affected.
Osteochondrosis, trauma, spondylolisthesis or tumor of the cervical spinal cord
These diseases are characterized not only by the appearance of goose bumps in the hands, but also by pain in the muscles of the hands, a gradual decrease in strength in their muscles, and a deterioration in temperature and pain sensitivity in the hands. If a pathological process (tumor, edema or vertebrae) compresses the vessels leading to the brain, dizziness, hearing or vision impairment will occur.
Myositis of the cervical muscles
Goosebumps in the arms are accompanied by pain in the neck. These symptoms are worse in certain positions of the neck. Read more about myositis.
Costoclavicular syndrome
This is the name for compression of the vessels and nerves of the brachial plexus, which occurs in a vertical position if the shoulder girdle is pulled back and down (for example, when carrying a heavy backpack). In this case, pain when standing at attention, accompanied by goosebumps, develops along the inside of the hand and forearm.
Musculocutaneous nerve neuropathy
This nerve gives commands to many muscles of the shoulder, including the biceps, reaching the forearm and dividing into anterior and posterior branches. If the nerve is pinched at the level of the elbow fold, pain occurs in this place, which radiates to the side of the forearm and is accompanied by a burning sensation and goosebumps. The pain intensifies with flexion and extension of the elbow, and rotation of the forearm in and out.
Compression of the median nerve in the axillary fossa
The pathology occurs mainly when carrying heavy objects resting on the armpit, as well as when spouses sleep together, when the head of one of them is under the arm of the other.
Here goosebumps run across the palm; at first this is not accompanied by pain or dysfunction. If a similar situation with compression is repeated, the work of the flexor muscles of the palm and those muscles that are responsible for flexing the thumb and index fingers worsens. The palm loses its sensitivity; the muscles that form the eminence of the thumb are hypotrophied.
Intermetacarpal tunnel syndrome
This is the name of the condition when the nerve is pinched by the heads of the metacarpal bones. Symptoms: numbness and goosebumps in the area of the surfaces of the fingers facing each other, which intensify with flexion and extension of the fingers.
Pinched nerve between the heads of the triceps muscle
The causes of the condition are injury to the back of the arm, fracture of the humerus.
Symptoms: deterioration or inability to straighten the hand; if you press on the back of the forearm, pain and pins and needles appear near the thumb.
Compression of the dorsal branch of the ulnar nerve
This occurs due to the habit of resting your elbow on the edge of the table. Pain occurs on the inside of the hand. If you press on the inside of the wrist, the pain intensifies and a pins and needles sensation appears.
Goosebumps on my feet
The symptom of goosebumps “running” down the leg is caused by various conditions. Let's look at the main ones.
Lumbar plexus neuropathy
It appears due to compression of the plexus by altered upper lumbar vertebrae, hematomas, abscesses, phlegmons, and tumors in this area.
Symptoms: pain and pins and needles - in the lower abdomen, in the pelvic area, on the thigh. They intensify when the extended leg is raised upward.
Varicose veins
The legs, especially when standing for a long time and at the end of the working day, itch, swell, and feel heaviness. Dilated veins and purple vascular networks are visually identified.
Restless legs syndrome
This is the name of a condition caused by various reasons, when a burning, tingling, feeling of bursting or squeezing is felt in the legs, due to which the lower limbs perform a frequent reflex movement of “throwing off”.
To clarify and eliminate the cause of such sensations, contact a therapist and neurologist.
Bernhardt-Roth disease
It manifests itself:
- goosebumps, burning, numbness, tingling in the area from the hip joint along the anterolateral surface of the thigh to the knee;
- pain and pins and needles intensify when walking, disappear if you sit or lie with your legs bent;
- if you touch the skin in this area, it will hurt, you will feel a feeling of heat, a prick;
- sensitivity here is increased;
- There may be either dry skin or increased sweating in this area.
After lumbar puncture
Injury to the nerve roots during lumbar puncture can lead to pain, loss of sensation in the legs, and weakness in their muscles.
Operations on the spinal cord, spinal nerves, spine
If the nerve roots were injured during the intervention, the following occurs:
- goosebumps in the legs;
- weakness of the leg muscles;
- decreased sensitivity in the legs.
Raynaud's disease
It manifests itself as pain and coldness of the fingers, then the fingers turn blue, which is accompanied by increased pain. Then the vascular spasm goes away, the fingers turn red, and the pain and goosebumps go away.
Femoral nerve neuropathy
It can be caused by a fracture of the pelvic bones with bleeding into the muscles surrounding this nerve. It may occur if the nerve was injured during puncture of the femoral artery, or if it was compressed by lymph nodes or a hematoma localized in the area of the inguinal fold.
Symptoms:
- pain – in the groin area;
- spreads to the lumbar region, to the thigh and lower leg along their anterior internal surface;
- Here goosebumps are detected and sensitivity is reduced;
- flexion-extension of the hip and knee may be performed in too small a volume;
- climbing stairs is especially difficult.
Clamping of the saphenous nerve
Pins and needles, pain and loss of sensitivity are determined along the inside of the leg from the knee to the big toe.
Rabies
The disease occurs as a result of the bite of an infected animal, which introduces the rabies virus into the wound. Pathology manifests itself as the appearance of goosebumps in the bitten leg. Subsequently, fear of light, water and sound develops.
Goosebumps on the tongue
This is typical for:
- rubbing with dentures;
- changes in bite resulting from the removal of one or several teeth;
- galvanization, when an electric current occurs due to the fact that the crowns are made of different metals;
- getting filling material into the canal;
- hypovitaminosis B12;
- damage to the sensory fiber of the glossopharyngeal nerve;
- inflammation of the arachnoid membrane of the brain;
- peptic ulcer of the upper digestive system;
- diseases of the ENT organs: sinusitis, rhinitis.
Goosebumps in the back area
Goosebumps “run” down the back when there is a pathology of the spine, such as spondylosis. If the vertebrae in the cervical region are deformed, then goosebumps and pain will be felt in the neck, crown and upper back; they intensify with certain movements. If similar symptoms develop in the thoracic region, we are most likely talking about spondylosis or osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Finally, in pathologies when the nerves coming from the lumbosacral region are pinched, goosebumps will be felt in the lumbar region.
Algorithm for analyzing the state when “goosebumps” appear
Before you panic, remember what caused the paresthesia. It is also important to assess your condition as objectively as possible and notice additional symptoms:
| Then the goosebumps appeared | Where are they felt? | Additional symptoms | What could it be | Which doctor should I contact? How to confirm |
| After a spinal injury | In the limb area | Numbness, impaired sensitivity and movement in the limbs. With a cervical injury, there may be dizziness and loss of coordination. No goosebumps | Fracture, fracture-dislocation of vertebrae |
Neuropathologist X-ray or computed tomography scan of the spine in the injured area |
| For no reason, but more often - if a person suffers from thrombosis, arrhythmias, hypertension | In the area of one half of the body | Sudden onset of poor sensitivity and inability to move the arm and leg on one side | Stroke |
Neuropathologist Examination by an ambulance doctor, a neurologist, computed tomography of the brain performed under the supervision of a resuscitator |
| For no apparent reason | In the area of the limbs, but not on one side of the arm or leg, but grabbing either the foot (hand), or the foot and lower leg (hand and forearm), or the entire limb | Numbness, pallor of the skin, decreased local temperature, hair loss or decreased growth of hair at the site of the “pins and needles” sensation |
Poor arterial patency: obliterating atherosclerosis or obliterating endarteritis. There may also be nerve compression |
Vascular surgeon, neurologist Ultrasound with Dopplerography of the arteries of the extremities (both). Examination by a neurologist, checking tendon reflexes, electroneurography |
| With frequent alcohol consumption | In the area of the extremities (lower, upper or all) | The same | Alcoholic polyneuropathy | Examination by a neurologist, checking tendon reflexes |
| After an arm/leg injury | In the area of injury, above and below the point of impact | Feeling of “pins and needles”, decreased or increased sensitivity to cold/heat, muscle weakness of only this limb | Nerve fiber injury | Examination by a neurologist |
| After working with paints or heavy metals | Legs, arms | “Goosebumps” on the limbs (usually the legs), while sensitivity in the toe area decreases, and the muscles there become weak. Weakness and decreased sensation may also be observed in the hands, in the glove area, and spread along the arms/legs towards the torso | Toxic polyneuropathy | |
| If you have diabetes | In the area of both or four limbs | “Goosebumps” on the legs/arms, decreased sensitivity, muscle weakness | Diabetic polyneuropathy |
Endocrinologist together with a neurologist Blood test for sugar (glucose) level, glycated hemoglobin level, electromyo- and electroneurography |
| For no apparent reason | In the area of the lower/upper or all 4 limbs | Changes in temperature and pain sensitivity, cold skin, muscle weakness | Vitamin deficiency (most likely B1) |
Therapist – for adults, pediatrician – for children Examination by a neurologist, determination of the level of vitamins in the blood |
| During pregnancy | In the leg area | There are signs of pregnancy. There may be night cramps | Lack of magnesium or calcium |
Therapist Determination of calcium and magnesium in blood |
| For no apparent reason | Both on the body and on the limbs | A persistent low fever that does not decrease with antibiotic treatment, but goes away on its own. Often - spots on the skin, there may be a “mesh pattern”. Losing weight. Pain in muscles, joints | Vasculitis |
Therapist, rheumatologist Rheumatology tests, LE cells and other tests prescribed by a rheumatologist |
| Against the background of the same type of work | In a separate area of the limb (less commonly, the body) | Pain in this area, loss of sensitivity, “pins and needles”. Pass through time | Pinching or inflammation of a single nerve fiber |
Neuropathologist Examination by a neurologist, determination of sensitivity and tendon reflexes |
| After a cold, intestinal infection, vaccination, surgery | It starts from the feet, can end there, and can rise, capturing the legs, thighs, hands, and forearms. Breathing, swallowing, and regulation of vascular tone may be impaired | Numbness, loss of sensitivity, muscle weakness, impaired movement of the limbs or their parts, up to paralysis, which can be treated if started in a timely manner. When immobilization of the limbs occurs, the “goosebumps” disappear | Infectious-allergic polyneuropathy (Guillain-Barré or Guillain-Barré-Landry syndrome) |
Neuropathologist, sometimes together with infectious disease specialists Examination by a neurologist, determination of sensitivity and tendon reflexes |
| Either for no reason, or after suffering from acute respiratory viral infection | In any area, but more often - between the ribs | Chickenpox-type blisters are observed in the affected area. This is also accompanied by a burning sensation and pain when breathing | Herpes zoster | Infectious disease specialist together with a neurologist |
| For no apparent reason | Hands, face, mouth area | After goosebumps there is a headache, usually in one half of the head | Migraine with aura | Examination by a neurologist |
| After hypothermia | Separate area of the face | Pain in this area, lacrimation, increased sweating on this side | Trigeminal neuralgia | Examination by a neurologist |
| After an animal bite | At the site of the bite | Increased sensitivity of this area, sensation of a “twitching” muscle, photophobia, hydrophobia | Rabies | The diagnosis is made based on examination by an infectious disease specialist/radiologist |
| For no apparent reason | In any area | Accompanied by a completely different set of neurological symptoms: headache, loss of coordination, decreased vision, loss of sensitivity in any areas of the skin of the face, limbs, and torso | Multiple sclerosis, some mitochondrial diseases | MRI of the brain and cervical spinal cord with contrast, electroneurography, laboratory tests that will be prescribed by a neurologist after examination |
| For no apparent reason | “Goosebumps” appear in paroxysms on any part of the body, the location of which may vary. Most often they are felt in the back of the head | Distorted perception of one's own body parts, failure to recognize objects, inability to perform complex movements, loss of the ability to count and solve arithmetic problems. There may be loss of visual field | Damage (usually by tumor) to the parietal lobe of the brain |
Neuropathologist MRI of the brain |
| After hypothermia of the head, overload of the neck muscles. Maybe for no apparent reason | In the back of the head | Severe pain in the back of the head, such as “drilling”, “shooting”, occurs in attacks. During the interictal period, a dull pain in the back of the head may remain. You can find points on the back of the head, pressure on which increases pain and goosebumps | Occipital neuralgia | Examination by a neurologist |
If you have goosebumps:
- run around the local area, especially in the limbs,
- this is not accompanied by disturbances of consciousness, vision, breathing, swallowing,
- does not rise to the respiratory tract,
it can be any of the neuropathies of numerous nerves. This diagnosis is made by a neurologist based on a routine examination of the patient. We will not list all the diagnoses in the table, especially since their treatment is the same.
The following important information regarding paresthesia should also be noted:
- the lower (closer to the toes) the area where the goose bumps are located, the closer to the tailbone the pathology is located;
- a large area of running goosebumps running from a large (hip or shoulder) joint to the fingers indicates a pathology of the spine, while the reverse movement (from the fingers upward) indicates nerve damage;
- if sensitivity is impaired, pain appears and goosebumps appear in a small area between the hand (foot) and shoulder (thigh), most likely a small nerve fiber is damaged (compressed);
- pain that occurs along with goosebumps
- Goosebumps and sensory disturbances are especially dangerous in patients with diabetes, as well as after an intestinal or cold illness;
- anxiety and an urgent visit to a neurologist should be caused by conditions when, along with goosebumps, it is discovered that the affected area does not distinguish what kind of - sharp or blunt - object has touched it, and also does not distinguish between hot and cold water;
- You need to visit a neurologist or vascular surgeon if the skin where the goosebumps run has turned pale, cold, and has little pale hair growing on it.
What can cause goosebumps in children
Goosebumps in children can be caused by:
- Guillain-Barre syndrome;
- intoxication (due to diphtheria or poisoning) polyneuropathy;
- encephalitis affecting the parietal region;
- scalene muscle syndrome due to an accessory rib;
- neuropathies due to muscle spasms;
- vasculitis;
- arthritis;
- taking certain medications;
- spondylosis;
- lack of B vitamins;
- hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
Causes of tingling, goosebumps in the hands
Depending on the frequency and circumstances of occurrence, paresthesia is divided into short-term and chronic.
Short-term paresthesia most often occurs when there is a lack of blood circulation or compression of a sensitive nerve located close to the surface of the body, during sleep or an uncomfortable position, which disrupts normal conduction. nerve impulses. This leads to temporary loss of sensation in the limb, numbness and tingling in the hand. Sensations of this kind are well known to those who have at least once “rested” their hand.
Short-term paresthesia is mostly unilateral and does not entail any consequences, so special treatment for goosebumps in the hand is not required in this case.
If such sensations occur frequently and regardless of the position of the limb, it is likely that there is chronic paresthesia caused by more serious causes.
The following diseases are accompanied by constant pathological complication of blood flow or disruption of innervation of the tissues of the upper extremities:
- Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine and its complications (protrusion, intervertebral hernia, spondylosis)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (carpal tunnel syndrome)
- Hand injuries (sprain, tendon rupture, broken bones)
- Nerve damage
- Multiple sclerosis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Diabetes
- Polyneuropathy
- Thyroid diseases
- Atherosclerosis
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Brain tumor
- Vascular aneurysms
- Buerger's disease
- Lyme disease
- Angiopathy
- Raynaud's syndrome
In addition to the listed diseases, the cause of tingling and goosebumps in the hands can also be low calcium levels, severe fatigue, stress, and mental stress.
The sudden development of paresthesia may also be a harbinger of an impending myocardial infarction or cerebral stroke. These conditions threaten human life and require immediate access to qualified medical care.
Treatment of pins and needles and goosebumps in the hands at the MART clinic
Goosebumps in the hands, pins and needles, numbness and other similar sensations in the hands, as a rule, indicate the presence of serious disorders in the body. Some of them can even be dangerous, and therefore you should not try to solve the existing problem yourself or using traditional methods. Prescribing the necessary treatment for goosebumps, burning sensations, pins and needles and other discomforting sensations in the right or left hand is possible only after establishing the exact cause of their occurrence.
To identify the cause of paresthesia in the hands, it is necessary to undergo a thorough examination, which is recommended to begin with a visit to a neurologist. Effective treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor based on examination and additional research methods: laboratory tests, ECG, MRI, ultrasound.
At the MART medical center, treatment courses for pins and needles in the fingers and goose bumps in the hands are selected individually. If osteochondrosis or other neurological pathologies are detected, manual therapy, therapeutic massage and regular exercise therapy are prescribed. Physiotherapeutic procedures and reflexology are also used to restore normal sensitivity in the hand.
Often, almost every adult feels a tingling sensation in the fingers and toes. This phenomenon occurs in people of different weights, ages, and genders. Discomfort, “goosebumps” and unpleasant numbness in complete rest are a symptom that causes a certain disease. Only a doctor can identify and cure it.
Types of tingling
Colic in the limbs usually appears after heavy physical exertion, after a long stay in an uncomfortable fixed position, when the nerve endings were subject to a certain pressure. Doctors distinguish several types of tingling in the fingers:
- permanent;
- temporary;
- lasting a couple of seconds.
Unpleasant sensations can be debilitating and long-lasting or barely noticeable and weak. Tingling in the limbs and fingers is the result of a malfunction of some internal organs, especially if they are accompanied by pain and numbness. These may be nerve conduction disorders, hormonal diseases, and vascular damage.
Doctors call tingling in the limbs “paresthesia.” It is characterized by a sensitivity disorder, goosebumps that resemble acupuncture.
Causes of tingling limbs
Compression of blood vessels and nerves. The most common cause of tingling in the fingers is compression of the nerves, which stop sending signals to brain cells, as well as poor circulation. Burning and tingling sensations are felt after sleep, for example in the elbows, or after sitting at the computer for a long time.
Deficiency or excess of vitamins. Sometimes unpleasant symptoms are a sign of a lack of calcium or vitamin B12, or an excess of vitamin B6. The causes can be sought among neurological and endocrine pathologies, for example, hyperglycemia or multiple atherosclerosis.
Circulatory disorders. Often, older people complain of a feeling of numbness and paresthesia. They have poor blood circulation, especially in the lower extremities, sometimes due to a sedentary lifestyle, vascular atherosclerosis, hypothyroidism or metabolic disorders.
Arthritis. The cause of numbness and pins and needles in the fingers is also inflammation of the cells, which interferes with the passage of impulses from the nerves. This phenomenon is characteristic of arthritis, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Alcohol abuse. In patients who abuse alcohol, there is a lack of thiamine, as well as other important minerals and trace elements, which leads to goosebumps and numbness in the limbs. Long-term drinking and large single doses also cause nerve damage.
Toxic substances can also affect nerve endings in the arms and legs. These are chemical compounds, heavy metals, radionuclides, natural toxins, as well as some medications, for example, chemotherapy drugs for cancer patients, strong antibacterial agents and antiviral drugs.
Find out more about the causes of tingling hands -
you can here
Tingling in fingers
Colic in the fingers can appear unilaterally or in both limbs at once. Their reasons are not only incorrect postures. If the symptom long time does not go away, an examination by a neurologist is necessary to identify an acute or chronic hidden illness. The main diseases that are characterized by numbness of the fingers and goosebumps:
- thyroid pathology;
- tissue ruptures in the limbs;
- Lyme disease;
- overwork;
- pulmonary hyperventilation syndrome;
- decrease in the amount of electrolytes in the blood;
- diseases of the joints, upper spine;
- circulatory disorders;
- arthritis and osteochondrosis;
- Buerger's disease;
- excessive excitability;
- diabetes (see also - symptoms of diabetes).
Nerve endings can be damaged as a result of injury, or the pathology is not traumatic, but chronic. Numbness and tingling sensations may appear not only in the fingers of the upper extremities, but also in other parts of the body.
Often, old people complain of unpleasant sensations in the hands, because with age, blood circulation in the limbs is disrupted and atherosclerotic phenomena appear. Cholesterol plaques partially block the blood flow, interfering with the functioning of not only the circulatory system, but also other organs.
Nervous disorders, the symptom of which is tingling in the extremities, appear with chronic diabetes, as well as hypothyroidism of the thyroid gland. Buerger's disease affects heavy smokers. Excessive saturation of blood cells with nicotine leads to impaired blood supply. The tissues do not receive enough nutrients, and the arms and legs begin to go numb and tingling sensations appear.
You should seek medical help if you experience pain, prolonged cramps, confusion, or fainting.
Among the rare pathologies that cause tingling in the fingers, doctors also identify:
- Radicular syndrome. It appears if the nerve ending is pinched in the area of the cervical vertebrae. At the same time, people complain of tingling all over their limbs and numbness in their hands, including their fingers. This syndrome is also caused by spina bifida, spondyloarthrosis, osteochondrosis, as well as lateral displacement of the vertebrae, tumors, and infections.
- Tunnel syndrome. Characteristic symptoms of this disorder are tingling, short-term cramps and unpleasant numbness of the fingers due to the fact that the median nerve of the carpal tunnel is compressed. This is an occupational disease, typical for people who make the same movements with their hands, for example, pianists, computer technicians, and packers. Tunnel disorder also manifests itself as a result of injuries, tumors, diabetes, articular arthritis, swelling, and disruption of the endocrine organs. The syndrome begins with minor tingling sensations and gradually gains strength, up to serious pain and cramps. If the disease is not given importance, then the muscle tissue of the big toe gradually dies off (see also - what is evidenced by pain in the big toe).
- Staircase syndrome. The main nerve endings located in the brachial plexus are compressed. In the upper extremities and in the shoulder area, sharp or aching pain and numbness, muscle laxity and tingling appear, moving to the fingers, especially often to the little finger and thumb. Manifestations intensify when tilting the head down. The cause of the syndrome is trauma and osteochondrosis of the cervical vertebrae. The nerve roots become overexcited, which leads to muscle spasms. The latter, in turn, compress the subclavian artery and brachial nerve plexus.
- Cubital syndrome. Occurs when the ulnar nerve endings are compressed. There is pain, tingling sensations, weakness and a feeling of muscle numbness. The syndrome occurs when frequent awkward postures are taken that negatively affect the elbow nerve. Also, when the nerve fiber thickens, cubital syndrome appears. The nerve does not have enough space between the ligament and the underlying bone, and all the symptoms of the disease appear. Unpleasant symptoms initially appear only after prolonged compression of the nerve and pressure on it. Then he disappears. But if you do not pay attention to the discomfort, the pathology will worsen and become chronic, which leads to atrophy of muscle fibers in the upper extremities.
Unpleasant tingling phenomena in the fingers also appear as a result of stroke, infectious diseases, senile sclerosis, and heart pathologies. Only the help of a specialist, and not self-medication, is necessary for prolonged numbness, cramps and painful tingling in the arms, hands and fingers.
Treatment for numbness and tingling in hands
An examination by a neurologist, consultation with a cardiologist and a good endocrinologist are necessary. In terms of treatment procedures, after a thorough examination, there may be:
- manual therapy;
- normalization of diet;
- medications to normalize blood circulation and eliminate pain;
- gymnastics;
- drugs against bad cholesterol;
- massage;
- vitamin complexes;
- acupuncture;
- vacuum therapy;
- hirudotherapy.
Serious endocrine pathologies and vascular diseases are often cured only by surgery. After the operation, blood circulation in the limbs and conductivity of nerve endings are restored.
Why do my hands go numb (video)
Numbness and unpleasant goosebumps in the hands are a sign of many pathologies. Let's learn more about the symptoms of complex diseases that manifest themselves in the form of tingling and require medical attention.
When your toes tingle and go numb
“Needles” in the toes can be natural or pathological. The feet cramp and tingle when wearing tight shoes and after heavy physical activity. These are natural causes of an unpleasant symptom that gradually goes away in a short time. Pathology manifests itself if destructive changes are present, for example, sprains, fractures, arthrosis, varicose veins, arthritis.
Pinched nerve tissue is manifested not only by tingling, but also by numbness, burning, deterioration of motor abilities, and pain. If they are accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, numbness in one area of the body, problems with vision and speech, urgent hospitalization is necessary.
Tingling in the lower extremities and fingers is a sign of certain diseases:
- diabetes mellitus;
- avitaminosis;
- muscle spasms;
- allergy to synthetics;
- dermatological problems;
- vascular diseases (thrombophlebitis, varicose veins);
- arterial infections;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- metabolic disorders;
- pathologies of the musculoskeletal system (femoral neuralgia, Roth's disease, radicular spine syndrome).
A reaction in the legs in the form of prolonged tingling occurs after prolonged sitting with crossed legs or in an awkward position. In this case, only the skin becomes numb, little blood and oxygen flow to it, and goosebumps appear.
Pressure on blood flow occurs when wearing uncomfortable clothes or shoes. In this case, removing the compression dilates the blood vessels, and the tingling usually goes away quickly. When working sedentarily, it is recommended to take short breaks, during which you should perform simple exercises to normalize blood circulation in the extremities and prevent congestion.
Among the pathologies leading to impaired blood flow, diabetes mellitus occupies a special place. With such a complex endocrine disease, there is not only numbness and stabbing sensations in the legs and fingers, but also pain and bluish skin on the extremities. A complex of such symptoms is called “diabetic foot” in the medical community.
Patients with rheumatoid arthritis and gout, which are associated with problems with the immune system and metabolic processes, also complain of tingling on the skin of the extremities. Disturbances in the nerve endings are also typical for quickly excitable people, as well as after serious nervous shocks.
Diagnosis and treatment of tingling in the toes
Several specialists should be involved in determining the cause of the unpleasant phenomenon:
- orthopedist;
- neurologist;
- traumatologist;
- neurologist;
- endocrinologist;
- immunologist-allergist;
- rheumatologist;
- surgeon;
- phlebologist;
- psychotherapist.
For the first time, it is better to make an appointment with a regular therapist, who will prescribe basic examinations and further direction of the diagnostic process. This may be an angiogram (vascular examination), MRI, duplex scanning of the arteries, ultrasound, x-ray, blood or urine tests.
Permanent drug treatment necessary for chronic arthrosis, gout and diabetes. Therapy for neurogenic, neurological and vascular pathologies is selected individually.
Vitamin preparations improve the conductivity of nerve tissue. Blood flow is normalized with calcium antagonists or nootropics. Anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids are also prescribed for pain, and tranquilizers and sedatives for nervous disorders. Complex varicose pathologies, blood clots, and hernias in the spinal canals are eliminated surgically.
Tingling and numbness in the fingers and toes is a serious symptom if it occurs frequently and for a long time. Only a doctor can identify the disease that causes such an unpleasant phenomenon and prescribe appropriate treatment. Timely drug therapy can prevent the spread of the disease and serious consequences.
Any person sometimes experiences so-called “goosebumps”. What is the reason for this phenomenon? People call it “goose bumps”: when covered with goosebumps, human skin really takes on a resemblance to it. In fact, this term is quite medical and there is a correspondence to it in Latin - in this language it sounds like “cutis anserina”.
Goose bumps occur under certain circumstances. Often “goosebumps” “run through the skin” due to strong emotions. In particular, it can be awe, ecstasy, satisfaction, excitement, including sexual. Also, the appearance of “cutis anserina” on the skin is often triggered by fear or freezing.
This phenomenon got its name due to the similarity of human skin covered with pimples (“goosebumps”) to a goose. After geese feathers are plucked, they are replaced by seals that vaguely resemble human hair follicles. The appearance of “goosebumps” on the skin manifests itself as a rudimentary pilomotor reflex, which in animals is responsible for raising the hair. The mechanism of this process can be described as follows: it occurs due to the stimulation of sensitive peripheral nerves emanating from the spinal cord. As a result, peripheral nerve endings are excited, which are responsible for contracting the muscles of the hair follicles. When their muscles contract, a so-called piloerection occurs - hairs rise and “goosebumps” run across the skin.
The pilomotor reflex is characteristic not only of humans, but also of most mammals. Raised hairs (fur) prevent the body from cooling, maintaining an air layer warmed by the body near the skin surface. It is noteworthy that piloerection has no practical meaning for a person, due to the fact that only certain parts of his body are covered with hair. In this case, the significance of this reflex was lost in the process of evolution. But raised fur allows animals, if necessary, to look more fierce and intimidating. For example, when the manifestation of the pilomotor reflex is provoked by danger, a feeling of fear.
It was mentioned earlier that a person may “get goosebumps” during strong emotional experiences. Sometimes people describe their impressions of attending worship services, listening to music, watching movies, or watching sports in this way. The appearance of piloerection can cause excitement - strong emotions that accompany playing poker, roulette, etc.
“Goosebumps” often “run” on the skin due to its compression - a prolonged effect on the nerve trunks. In such cases, a person says that he “sat” his leg or “rested” his arm. A lack of vitamins in the body can also cause the manifestation of the pilomotor reflex. In some cases, frequent experiences of such sensations, in particular in the lower extremities, may indicate that a person has serious vascular pathologies.
We are talking about diseases such as atherosclerosis, varicose veins and other circulatory disorders. In this case, consultation with a phlebologist is necessary. However, in most cases, “goosebumps”, especially those that often appear, are still a neurological syndrome, and they “run through” as a result of the body’s mental reactions. This phenomenon is often encountered by suspicious people who are characterized by increased emotionality. The possibility of purely dermatological causes for the occurrence of “goosebumps” should not be excluded, especially in cases where the symptom does not appear occasionally, but constantly. They may be caused by excessive dry skin.
In most cases, the described syndrome does not indicate the presence of any disease. Its frequent occurrence, especially in combination with pain and numbness of the limbs, should be a cause for concern.
During strong emotional experiences or even without an external stimulus, you may feel like goosebumps are running all over your body. The cause of this condition can be very different. Therefore, you need to carefully analyze the features of such a symptom in order to understand whether it poses a serious threat to health.
Communication between the brain and the peripheral nervous system is carried out using nerve fibers. If they are irritated from the outside or affected from the inside due to a pathological process, the person begins to complain that goosebumps are crawling on the skin. The reason for this feeling, if it is repeated too often, may be hidden in a dangerous illness. In the medical community, this phenomenon is called paresthesia.
Warnings in ant language
Goosebumps often appear in those who had to sit in an uncomfortable position for a long time, be in the cold, suffer from fear and other negative emotions, or, conversely, listen to amazing music, watch an exciting movie, or communicate with a loved one. Such paresthesias should not cause concern, because the nerve fibers are not affected, but only temporarily irritated. But if a symptom is accompanied by pain, cramps, sensory disturbances, or becomes chronic, a visit to a neurologist cannot be postponed. Before visiting a doctor, you can independently analyze your health.
Let's consider what paresthesia may indicate depending on the location.
If goosebumps “scurry” across the skin of the face, and sometimes simultaneously of the upper limbs, this can be caused by the following pathologies:
- migraine;
- trigeminal neuritis;
- neoplasm or inflammatory process in the frontal lobe of the brain;
- Bell's palsy.
- Scalp
The sensation of insect movement on the back of the head occurs with neuropathy of the greater occipital nerve. In the case of cervical plexus neuropathy with entrapment, goosebumps are felt not only on the back of the head, but also in the neck area, above the shoulder and behind the ear. A microstroke is accompanied by this symptom for 1-2 hours.
Paresthesia of the hands is often a concern when:
- Anterior scalene syndrome (goosebumps from shoulder to fingertips);
- brachial plexus syndrome (negative sensations in the part of the hand from the little finger);
- Raynaud's disease (fingers suffer);
- neuropathy of the musculocutaneous nerve (pins and needles on the palm);
- intermetacarpal tunnel syndrome (paresthesia near the thumb);
- myositis of the cervical muscles;
- osteochondrosis;
- spondylolistosis;
- tumor formation in the cervical spine.
Paresthesia of the lower extremities has been reported for:
- neuropathy of the lumbar plexus (sensation covers the hips);
- Burhardt-Roth disease (“insects scurry” from hips to knees);
- consequences of lumbar puncture or surgery;
- neuropathy of the femoral nerve (affects the thigh and lower leg);
- compression of the saphenous nerve (tingling on the lower inner surface of the leg);
- varicose veins;
- obliterating endarteritis;
- restless legs syndrome;
- infection with the rabies virus through the bite of a sick animal.
- Back
If you have goosebumps running down your back, the reasons are hidden in pathologies of the spine:
- spondylosis;
- “thoracic” osteochondrosis;
- compression of the nerves of the lower spine.
- Goosebumps can “travel” throughout the body for the following reasons:
- insufficient supply of useful substances to nerve fibers due to diabetes, poisoning, excessive alcohol consumption;
- decreased amount of calcium and magnesium in the blood;
- injuries or tumors of nerve fibers;
- arthritis;
- hypovitaminosis B1, B6, C;
- autoimmune disorders;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- hormonal imbalance due to pathologies of the thyroid gland or adrenal glands;
- follicular hyperkeratosis;
- shingles;
- stroke;
- multiple sclerosis;
- stress and nervous disorders.
When goosebumps begin to run all over a woman's body, the reason may not be as serious as those listed. Perhaps the unpleasant sensation is triggered by hormonal changes that are inevitable when carrying a baby or entering the period of menopausal changes in the body.
It reflects the state of the entire organism. If any changes appear on the skin, you should look for an internal cause. What are the goosebumps talking about?
The phenomenon of “goose bumps” (cutis anserina) got its name due to the appearance of small pimples - goosebumps. This symptom is also known as paresthesia. It is most often based on the so-called pilomotor reflex, when contraction of the muscles of the hair follicles under the influence of signals from peripheral nerve endings causes the hairs on the body to rise. This is reminiscent of animals' ability to bristle at the first sign of danger. In humans, this usually occurs under the influence of strong emotions. Horror, ecstasy, awe... - and now your hair stands on end. Or maybe everything is simpler - you are frozen or have served your leg. However, if goosebumps bother you often, pain, numbness of the limbs, or inflammation are added, it would be worth getting checked.
Lack of vitamins
Goosebumps are often associated with vitamin deficiency (especially vitamins B1, C, D). If the human body lacks vitamin C, the condition of the skin deteriorates sharply, since ascorbic acid promotes the production of collagen. With its deficiency, blood vessels become fragile, the skin becomes covered with wrinkles, areas of irritation and peeling appear, and “goose bumps” appear.
A lack of vitamin B1, in addition to goosebumps, can be accompanied by itching and burning, and interruptions in vitamin D result in increased fatigue, muscle weakness, insomnia, and cramps.
WHAT TO DO?
Visit a nutritionist who will select the complex of vitamins that you need. Review your diet. The most vitamin D is found in sea fish, egg yolks, liver, and cow's milk. Beans, asparagus, bran, nuts, corn grains, and wholemeal bread are rich in vitamin B1. Vitamin C is contained in fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Follicular hyperkeratosis
A disease caused by keratinization of the upper layer of skin. Has an external resemblance to cellulite. Hair follicles are covered with horny scales. Skin secretions glue these scales together, the skin underneath them becomes inflamed, redness and roughness occur.
The disease is most often hereditary, but can be triggered by external factors such as drying shower gels or soaps. Symptoms may also appear after taking hormonal medications or contraceptives. Poor nutrition and lack of vitamins are also risk factors.
WHAT TO DO?
Follicular hyperkeratosis cannot be completely cured. But inflammation can be relieved. You definitely need to see a dermatologist. The main thing is to keep your skin healthy, do not stay in the sun or cold for a long time, do not use rough scrubs, and use special skin care products.
Restless legs syndrome
With this neurological disorder, leg discomfort is often observed at rest. There is tingling, burning, itching, a feeling of squeezing or swelling, and goosebumps. This forces you to move your legs.
The cause of the disease may be the abuse of caffeine-containing drinks, intense physical activity, heart and kidney failure, diseases of the central nervous system, stress, smoking, etc.
WHAT TO DO?
Consult a therapist and neurologist. Avoid tobacco and alcohol. Special gymnastics, massage, and soothing herbal teas help.
Hypoparathyroidism
This is a painful condition caused by dysfunction of the parathyroid glands. Accompanied by a lack of calcium in the body, the excitability of the nervous system increases. Because of this, convulsions, a feeling of goosebumps running through the body, coldness and numbness of the arms and legs occur.
WHAT TO DO?
It is necessary to contact an endocrinologist. Hormone and vitamin therapy are usually prescribed. It is recommended to include foods rich in calcium and vitamin D in your diet. A person needs from 500 to 1500 mg of calcium every day.
Atherosclerosis
As a result of various reasons (increased levels of lipids in the blood, arterial hypertension, etc.), the inner layer of the vessel is damaged. A plaque is formed, around which connective tissue grows, calcium is deposited, and deformation and narrowing of the artery lumen occurs. This leads to disruption of the blood supply to the organ fed through the affected artery. Hence the feeling of goosebumps, pale skin, trophic ulcers, etc.
WHAT TO DO?
Contact your doctor as well. It is important to monitor blood pressure, lipid levels (cholesterol, etc.), blood sugar, conduct an ECG, ultrasound of the heart and blood vessels, etc. It is necessary to control weight, limit the consumption of animal fats, lead an active lifestyle, give up bad habits (smoking , alcohol abuse).
When the skin “goosebumps”, it begins to resemble a goose, hence the second word - “goose bumps”. The epidermis of a goose is dotted with follicles from which feathers grow. The follicles of this bird resemble the follicles of human hair, but exceed the latter in volume. Lumps or protrusions on the bird's body become noticeable if you pull out a couple of feathers. However, where do such protrusions on a person’s skin come from if their follicles are much smaller? This is a rudiment!Remnant of “goose bumps”. Lost meaning
The “goose bumps” reflex is rudimentary, that is, it has lost its practical meaning. It is called the pilomotor reflex, originally designed to conserve heat. With goosebumps, the hairs on the body rise due to the stimulation of nerve endings responsible for contracting the muscles associated with the hair follicles. The process is regulated by the spinal cord. This raising of hairs throughout the body is called piloerection.In humans, piloerection manifests itself as a result of experiencing various emotions (excitement, delight, fear, tenderness, and others). In addition, “goosebumps” may be a consequence of a lack of vitamins and metabolic disorders. Also, “goose bumps” can appear from a feeling of cold, or if you “sat your leg.” The pilomotor reflex looks as if the bases of the hairs on the body have swollen slightly, forming pimples. In this case, people say that their skin “goosebumps” or “the hair on their head began to move.” Piloerection does not bring any benefit to humans.
