Numbness and tingling in the arms, legs, hands and feet are caused by a number of conditions, including pressure on the spine or peripheral nerves, atherosclerosis, nerve damage or injury, and animal or insect bites, according to MedlinePlus. Other causes include abnormal levels of calcium, sodium and potassium.
Numbness and tingling in the arms are also caused by peripheral neuropathy, a nerve disorder that impacts the motor, autonomic and sensory nerves that connect the internal organs, muscles and skin to the spinal cord, states The Neuropathy Association. As of 2015, approximately 30 percent of peripheral neuropathy cases are caused by diabetes. Other conditions that cause the condition include nutritional imbalances, infections and autoimmune disorders.
Other causes of tingling and numbness in the arms may be attributed to a number of chronic, episodic or severe conditions, according to WebMD. Nerve entrapment syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are known causes, as well as systemic diseases such as vascular damage, cancer, chronic inflammation, and kidney, blood or liver disease. Alcoholism and vitamin deficiencies, particularly B-12 and B-6, cause peripheral neuropathy and nerve damage. Additionally, exposure to toxins such as arsenic, mercury, lead and thallium can be the root cause of nerve damage, as can infections such as Lyme disease, herpes, shingles and HIV.
