•  
  •  

Skin Feeling of the Hand

Picture of nerves in the hand and areas of skin that get feeling from those nerves

Areas affected by the nerves in the hand

Numbness is an inability to feel anything when you touch your skin. Tingling is a pins-and-needles sensation, like when your foot "falls asleep." Numbness or tingling may mean that nerves have been injured or pinched, swelling is putting pressure on nerves, or blood vessels have been injured.

These pictures show the main nerves of the hand and the areas of skin that get feeling from those nerves. Different nerves in your hand can cause numbness or tingling in different areas. For example, if you have pressure on your ulnar nerve, your little finger may "fall asleep."

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David Messenger, MD
Last Revised November 4, 2010

Last Revised: November 4, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & David Messenger, MD

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.

To learn more visit Healthwise.org

© 1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.