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What Causes Numbness In Fingers And Palms?

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Posted on Tue, 14 Jun 2016
Question: I am having numbness in my pinky, and ring finger on my hand. It started 4 days ago. Also my palm is numb the width of my two fingers to the bottom of where my wrist starts. I have not had any pain with this. What might be causing this?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
maybe due to ulnar nerve neuropathy- abnormal function of ulnar nerve

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The symptoms may be due to neuropathy. This refers to abnormal function of the nerves and it can be temporary or permanent.

There are different nerves that supply various aspects of the upper limb, with three nerves being responsible for nerve supply in the hand.

The nerve responsible for the 5th and 4th fingers is the ulnar nerve so this would be ulnar neuropathy.

It can be due to changes at the elbow or wrist. These changes may compress or cause other problems with the ulnar nerve.

Some possible causes at the elbow are: trauma to the elbow, arthritis at the elbow, blood taking/phlebotomy, diabetes, smoking

At the wrists causes include: trauma, presence of a mass, idiopathic- cause not known

Thyroid disease, vitamin b12/folate lack, liver or kidney disease, infection such as shingles- can also cause neuropathy

In most persons there is no severe cause found.

It would be best to be seen sooner by a doctor if possible to assess the hand and determine if it is the ulnar nerve and the possible causes.

There are medications that can help reduce the numbness but additional treatment would depend on the exact cause found.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Numbness In Fingers And Palms?

Brief Answer: maybe due to ulnar nerve neuropathy- abnormal function of ulnar nerve Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic The symptoms may be due to neuropathy. This refers to abnormal function of the nerves and it can be temporary or permanent. There are different nerves that supply various aspects of the upper limb, with three nerves being responsible for nerve supply in the hand. The nerve responsible for the 5th and 4th fingers is the ulnar nerve so this would be ulnar neuropathy. It can be due to changes at the elbow or wrist. These changes may compress or cause other problems with the ulnar nerve. Some possible causes at the elbow are: trauma to the elbow, arthritis at the elbow, blood taking/phlebotomy, diabetes, smoking At the wrists causes include: trauma, presence of a mass, idiopathic- cause not known Thyroid disease, vitamin b12/folate lack, liver or kidney disease, infection such as shingles- can also cause neuropathy In most persons there is no severe cause found. It would be best to be seen sooner by a doctor if possible to assess the hand and determine if it is the ulnar nerve and the possible causes. There are medications that can help reduce the numbness but additional treatment would depend on the exact cause found. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions