Symptoms of neuropathy

Neuropathy symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. They often develop slowly over months or years.

Sensory nerves

• Numbness or reduced feeling in the feet and hands, like wearing gloves or socks
• Tingling, pins and needles
• Burning, stabbing or electric pain
• Pain from light touch, worse at night
• Not feeling heat, cold or injuries

Motor nerves

• Muscle weakness, cramps and twitching
• Trouble gripping, buttoning or holding things
• Foot drop and tripping
• Muscle wasting over time

Autonomic nerves

• Dizziness when standing
• Excess or no sweating
• Constipation, diarrhoea, early fullness
• Bladder problems
• Sexual dysfunction

Complications you may notice

Unnoticed cuts, blisters or sores on the feet, deformity, and falls from poor balance.

When to see a doctor

Any new numbness, tingling or weakness that lasts more than a few days, especially if you have diabetes.

Emergency (112 or 102): sudden weakness, trouble breathing or swallowing, rapidly worsening weakness in the legs, or loss of bladder control.

Remember

If you have numb feet, check them every day for sores, because you may not feel an injury.

When to get help

See a doctor if you have numbness, tingling, burning pain or weakness that lasts more than a few days, especially with diabetes. Avoid long self-medication and 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.

Keep a simple diary of when symptoms start, what makes them worse and which parts of the body are affected. This helps your doctor decide which tests are needed and how treatment is working.