Symptoms of nerve pain

Symptoms of nerve pain depend on which nerves are involved. They often start gradually and can come and go.

Typical sensations

• Burning or hot pain, often in the feet
• Sharp, shooting or electric shock-like pain
• Tingling, pins and needles
• Numbness or reduced feeling
• Pain from light touch, a bedsheet or cold air
• Pain that is worse at night and disturbs sleep

Other changes

• Weakness and clumsiness, dropping things
• Muscle thinning
• Loss of balance, especially in the dark
• Sweating changes, dizziness on standing and digestion problems when autonomic nerves are involved
• Foot sores that go unnoticed in diabetes

By location

• Feet and hands: symmetrical burning and numbness, like gloves and socks
• Leg pain from the back (sciatica): shooting pain down the leg
• Face (trigeminal neuralgia): sudden severe jolts triggered by chewing or touch
• After shingles: burning pain in a band on one side of the body

See a doctor if symptoms last, spread, or if you have diabetes.

Emergency (112 or 102): sudden weakness of a limb or face, trouble speaking, loss of bladder or bowel control with back pain, or numbness in the groin area.

Remember

Numb feet can hide injuries. Check your feet every day if you have diabetes or numbness.

When to get help

See a doctor if you have burning, tingling or numbness that lasts, spreads or is linked to diabetes, or if there is weakness. Do not self-medicate for long periods, avoid unknown herbal products, and do not use oils, herbs or home remedies on infants or young children without a paediatrician's advice. In an emergency call 112 or 102.