Numbness of the fingers is a rather unpleasant sensation that can occur for various reasons. Many people disregard this symptom, although it can be an indicator of a serious illness. Thinking about why the index finger of the right or left hand is numb? In our article we will try to analyze this issue in more detail, as well as give practical recommendations that will help to cure the root of the problem.
Why does the index finger of the right hand go numb?
According to statistics, numbness of the index finger on the right hand occurs much more often than on the left. Moreover, this does not depend on whether the person is right-handed or left-handed.
Among the most common causes of an unpleasant symptom, it is customary to distinguish the following:
- dystrophy of the cervical spine or osteochondrosis;
- various neck injuries accompanied by nerve compression;
- pernicious anemia (an additional symptom is shortness of breath);
- diabetes mellitus of any type.
It is worth noting that these are only the most common causes of this ailment. It is likely that numbness can be caused by a rarer disease, such as Raynaud's disease. Therefore, you should not joke with your health, but it is best to immediately go to the hospital for help and advice from a specialist.
Why does the left index finger go numb?
A very common symptom with numbness of the index finger on the left hand is a complete loss of sensitivity. A similar phenomenon can occur due to serious pathological disorders in the spine and brain, therefore, consultation with a specialist is strictly required.
Here are just the main reasons why an unpleasant sensation may arise:
- pathology of the spine caused by injuries of the cervical spine;
- impaired blood flow in the brain (a consequence of a stroke);
- various psychological factors, for example, experiences and stresses.
In addition, such a phenomenon may be the result of squeezing a blood vessel in the wrist. The most common example is wearing clothes with excessively tight or narrow sleeves that interfere with normal blood flow. Although many people simply crush their hand in a dream.
Numbness of the thumb and forefinger
Thinking about why the index finger and thumb are numb at the same time? As a rule, a similar phenomenon is observed due to compression of the median nerve, which passes through the canal of the wrist. In most cases, this is due to prolonged dynamic or static stress on the hands when the tendons are in constant tension. A person may feel unwell after exercise or in the morning after waking up.
In some cases, a similar symptom is observed in people who abuse alcohol. In addition, numbness can occur as a concomitant symptom of arthritis or arthrosis. In the latter case, the muscles of the thumb can begin to atrophy over time, as a result of which a person will not be able to move them at all. Therefore, be sure to consult with a specialist on this issue.
Numbness of the middle and forefinger
If your index finger and middle finger are numb, then most doctors will immediately suggest the presence of various pathological changes in the spine or muscles of the cervical spine. Moreover, this disease can be either acquired or congenital, which is inherited. If this symptom is also accompanied by constant weakness in the hands, then the problem is in the shoulder or forearm of the hand.
Also, numbness of the index and middle fingers can occur due to damage to the nerve endings and processes of the radial nerve. In this case, only a course of neurotherapy can help, since it is almost impossible to cure the disease at home. Although you should not forget that this symptom can occur after subluxation of the elbow joint, so be able to correctly compare the information written in medical guides with reality.
Two fingers on two hands go numb at once
If you ask yourself the question: “Why are the index fingers on my hands numb?”, Then you should immediately visit the nearest clinic to undergo a comprehensive medical examination, since this symptom very often occurs due to scleroderma - a serious hereditary disease. This disease is accompanied by compaction of the walls of blood vessels and loss of skin elasticity.
As a rule, such a disease develops only in women, whose age is from 30 to 50 years. In addition to numbness of the fingers, other signs of the disease can occur:
- small point effusions on the skin;
- muscle and joint disease;
- the disappearance of wrinkles.
Scleroderma can be diagnosed visually, but a biochemical analysis must be done for final confirmation. If the diagnosis has been confirmed, the doctor will prescribe a biopsy of the part of the body that is most affected by this scourge.
Non-Disease Numbness
Many people wonder why they have a dumb index finger in the morning. The causes of this phenomenon may not always be associated with the disease. Almost every person at least once squeezed his hand in a dream, as a result of which he did not feel his own fingers for a certain period of time. However, sensitivity returns immediately as soon as normal circulation to the limb is restored.
Also, a temporary loss of sensitivity may be possible on frosty days after a prolonged stay in the cold. Nerve endings simply freeze in the cold, because of which a person ceases to feel not only fingers, but also brushes. In this case, a warm bath or heating pad can help. However, if a similar symptom haunts you for several weeks, then you should undergo a medical examination in order to exclude the risk of developing pathologies.
Heavy metal or chemical poisoning
In some cases, numbness may result from poisoning by chemical elements or heavy metals, especially if a person works in an enterprise that specializes in processing these materials. Lead or toxic fumes can enter the human body through the respiratory system almost unhindered and spread throughout the body. In addition to the symptom of numbness, difficulties with the digestive system, respiratory system, and also problems with impaired consciousness are often observed. If you have all or some of the above symptoms, you should immediately contact the hospital for help, since self-treatment can lead to poor health.
The effect of alcohol on the nervous system
Numbness of the fingers is a fairly common occurrence among people who abuse alcohol. In patients with alcoholism, a serious disorder is observed - neuropathy - nerve damage. This condition is also called alcoholic neuropathy and is observed only in those people who constantly drink alcohol.
When ingested, ethanol leads to impaired absorption of thiamine, proteins and folates. In addition, various alcohol components can contribute to the complete or partial destruction of nerve cells. In this case, numbness of the fingers or entire limbs is observed. In addition, such a disease is very often accompanied by pain in the liver and a violation of the cardiovascular rhythm.
Medication
Unfortunately, finger numbness very often occurs due to the use of various medications aimed at combating serious diseases (AIDS, tuberculosis, cancer, and so on). As a rule, the instructions for such drugs indicate side effects, but for some patients this symptom is still a surprise. Numbness occurs due to various chemical compounds that have a sedative effect on the body. Perhaps it’s not even worth mentioning that with an overdose, the effect can spread throughout the arm, so follow the prescribed recommendations, as well as the advice that a medical specialist gives you.
Numbness in diabetes
It's no secret that with the development of diabetes, the patient has a deterioration in well-being. Most nerve endings are severely damaged, especially if the course of the disease is accompanied by various unpleasant symptoms. Due to the lack of glucose in the blood, a person may feel numbness of the fingers, limbs, or even half of the body area. However, you can live with diabetes! It will be enough to control the level of sugar in the blood and refrain from eating various foods. It is also necessary to follow other recommendations of a specialist, for example, to play sports or give up bad habits. If you approach the treatment of your body with all responsibility, then you will not have any complications, and numbness of the fingers will not bother you.
We hope our article helped you understand why the index finger can go numb. Such an ailment can be a symptom of various serious diseases or may be caused by a lack of blood supply due to squeezing the limb. However, if you are often worried about the numbness of the index finger or the other finger, you should still seek help from a medical specialist, since an undetected disease in time sometimes makes itself felt too late, especially in case of finger numbness.