# Tingling in the foot > Tingling in the foot is a 'pins and needles' feeling that is common and usually settles within minutes once pressure is taken off a nerve. Tingling that lasts or keeps coming back can have other causes, such as diabetes, so it's worth having it checked rather than guessing. Guide in [Nerves and circulation](https://footanklelowerlimb.com.au/learn/topics/nerves-and-circulation), from Foot Ankle Lower Limb: https://footanklelowerlimb.com.au/learn/tingling-in-the-foot Reviewed by Andrew Schox, BSc(Hons) PGradDipPod MPod (Podiatrist) on 27 October 2026. Next review by 27 October 2027. - **Brief tingling is common.** Most people get pins and needles now and then, and it usually settles within minutes. - **Tingling that lasts needs checking.** Nerve problems, diabetes, some medicines and alcohol can all be behind it. - **The cause is found by asking and examining.** Tests are added only where they're needed. - **Treatment depends on the cause.** Medicines for nerve pain don't ease tingling or numbness itself. - **Numb feet can hide injuries.** If you have diabetes, check your feet daily. ## What is tingling in the foot, and how common is it? Tingling in the foot is a "pins and needles" feeling, also called paraesthesia. It can feel like pricking, burning, itching, tingling or numbness, and it doesn't usually cause pain [1]. Most people get it from time to time, usually when you sit or sleep on your foot and pressure cuts off the blood supply to the nerves. It typically lasts only a few minutes [1][2], though it can sometimes be long-lasting [1]. ## What can cause tingling in the foot? The commonest cause is short-lived: pressure from kneeling, sitting on your foot, or tight shoes or socks [1]. Tingling that lasts or keeps returning has other causes: - **Diabetes.** Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) usually starts in the toes and feet and moves upwards [3]. It can bring tingling, burning or sharp pains, and numbness [4]. Estimates of how many people with diabetes are affected range from about one third to about two thirds [5][6], and some have no symptoms [5]. - **Small fibre neuropathy.** This usually starts in both feet and slowly climbs the legs. Diabetes is the commonest identifiable cause, but up to half of cases have no cause found [7]. - **Morton's neuroma.** This is a pinched nerve between the toes, with pain, burning and numbness there, worse with walking, standing or tight shoes [8]. It often occurs with metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot), and the two are hard to tell apart yourself [8]. - **Alcohol, some medicines and low vitamin B12.** Alcohol, some medicines (including some chemotherapy) and low vitamin B12 can contribute to nerve problems [7]. Where it is gives clues. Tingling in both feet that creeps upwards suggests a nerve disease, while tingling between particular toes that comes on with walking or tight shoes suggests a local problem [3][8]. ## How is the cause found? Mostly by asking about your symptoms and examining you, with tests added only where needed [9][10]. A health professional will ask how long the tingling has lasted, whether it's one foot or both, and about alcohol, medicines and any family history of nerve problems [7]. They may check your ankle reflexes, look for weakness and suggest blood tests [9]. If you have diabetes, they'll also test feeling in your feet (light touch, vibration, temperature and pin-prick) [10] and check the pulses in your feet [11]. Nerve conduction studies are kept for unusual cases [10]. Morton's neuroma is diagnosed mainly from your history and an examination, with ultrasound or MRI used to confirm it [8]. ## What can I do first? For brief tingling, take the pressure off, change position and check your shoes and socks aren't too tight [1]. > [!tip] Try this > If the tingling started after sitting, kneeling or sleeping on your foot, take the pressure off and see if it settles. If it keeps coming back, jot down how long it lasts, how often it returns, and whether it's one foot or both. This helps a health professional find the cause. If tingling is constant or keeps coming back, see your GP rather than guessing the cause [1][2]. Treatment depends on the cause. Medicines for nerve pain help only nerve pain, and only in some cases; no medicine helps numbness or tingling itself [9]. It's fair to ask what any medicine is meant to treat. ## What helps if that isn't enough? Options mostly ease nerve pain rather than tingling or numbness [9]. If pain is the main problem, a doctor can talk through local treatments such as lidocaine patches or capsaicin, which may help small painful areas [6][10]. Opioids aren't recommended for nerve pain [6]. Talk with a doctor before starting or stopping any medicine. If you're having chemotherapy, tell your cancer care team promptly about troublesome foot tingling or numbness. When it becomes intolerable or limits what you can do, they can consider delaying, reducing, changing or stopping the chemotherapy [12]. ## Will it get better, and how can I stop it coming back? It depends on the cause. Tingling from pressure settles once the pressure is off [1]. Nerve problems from chemotherapy may continue long after treatment stops [6]. Tingling that keeps returning is worth having reviewed. If you have diabetes or are at high risk, check your feet every day, including the tops, soles, heels and between the toes, for cuts, cracks, blisters, new redness or swelling, hot or painful areas and colour changes. Attend your foot screening too [4]. Changes can be slow and easy to miss, and reduced feeling can hide injuries [4][13]. ## When to see a podiatrist See a podiatrist or your GP if tingling is constant or keeps coming back [1], or if foot or ankle pain comes with burning, numbness, tingling or muscle weakness [14]. Numbness that lasts a long time and isn't from your posture is also worth checking, especially with muscle spasms, a rash, numbness that's worse when walking, passing urine more often, a recent injury to your back, neck or head, vision changes, or severe pain or weakness [15]. See your GP soon if you have trouble lifting the front of your foot and toes when walking (foot drop), or difficulty emptying your bladder [13]. See your GP or a podiatrist the same day if you have diabetes and a wound, sore, blister or colour change on your foot, or your foot suddenly becomes red, warm, swollen, cold or numb, changes shape, or shows signs of infection such as oozing, discharge or a bad smell [4]. Also see them the same day if you have diabetes with very pale, dusky or black toes, or severe pain even at rest [11]; or if you have sudden severe pain or numbness in a leg or foot, or numbness with sudden dizziness [15]. For urgent advice when it isn't an emergency, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 (24 hours a day), or go to a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic. Go to the nearest emergency department if numbness comes with loss of bladder or bowel control [15], or if you have diabetes and a foot infection that's spreading fast, with a fever and feeling very unwell [4]. Call 000 and ask for an ambulance if your foot or leg is numb and you suddenly have weakness or paralysis, confusion, difficulty talking or a sudden, severe headache [15], or if a leg or foot suddenly turns cold and pale or blue, with pain or numbness [4]. ## Common questions ### Why does my foot tingle when I sit or sleep on it? Pressure on part of your body can cut off the blood supply to the nerves there, which causes the pins and needles feeling. It usually stops within a few minutes once you take the weight off and the blood supply returns. If it keeps happening without an obvious reason, see your GP. ### Can tight shoes cause tingling in the feet? Yes. Tight shoes or socks can cause temporary pins and needles, and taking the pressure off usually eases it. If tingling or burning between particular toes comes on with walking or tight shoes and keeps returning, a health professional can check whether a nerve in the forefoot is being squeezed. ### Can diabetes cause tingling in the feet? Yes. Nerve damage from diabetes usually starts in the toes and feet and can bring tingling, burning or sharp pains, and numbness. Some people have no symptoms at all. If you have diabetes, check your feet every day, attend your foot screening, and tell your GP or podiatrist about any new tingling. ### Can a vitamin deficiency cause tingling in the feet? Low vitamin B12 is one of the things looked for when feet tingle or burn for a long time. It can follow a low intake, pernicious anaemia or some medicines. A GP can check it with blood tests, so it's best not to guess the cause yourself. ## Further reading - [Tingling in the foot on Clindice](https://clindice.com/tingling-in-the-foot) - [Peripheral neuropathy - Treatment](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/treatment/), NHS - [Peripheral neuropathy: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000593.htm), MedlinePlus - [Limb numbness - causes, treatment and prevention](https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptoms/limb-numbness), healthdirect ## Sources 1. Pins and needles · nidirect · 2017. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/pins-and-needles 2. Pins and needles · NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/pins-and-needles/ 3. The global and regional burden of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. · Savelieff MG, Elafros MA, Viswanathan V et al. · Nature Reviews Neurology · 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41582-024-01041-y 4. Caring for your feet if you have diabetes or are at high risk | Our latest updates · NHS · 2026. https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/updates/caring-for-your-feet-if-you-have-diabetes-or-are-at-high-risk-13519/ 5. Screening, diagnosis and management of diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy in clinical practice: International expert consensus recommendations. · Ziegler D, Tesfaye S, Spallone V et al. · Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice · 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2021.109063 6. Peripheral Neuropathy · National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/peripheral-neuropathy 7. Office approach to small fiber neuropathy. · Tavee JO · Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine · 2018. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.85a.17124 8. Infiltrative Therapy of Morton's Neuroma. · Lorenzon P, Rettore C, Scalvi A · Acta Bio-Medica · 2022. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v92is3.12545 9. Burning, tingling feet · NHS. https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/media/4trcfseg/burning-legs-v3.pdf 10. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy: pathogenetic mechanisms and treatment. · Zhu J, Hu Z, Luo Y et al. · Frontiers in Endocrinology · 2023. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1265372 11. Guidelines in Support of Diabetic Foot Assessments · NHS. https://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/media/500906/3_guidelines_supp_diab_foot_assessments.pdf 12. Prevention and Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Survivors of Adult Cancers: ASCO Guideline Update. · Loprinzi CL, Lacchetti C, Bleeker J et al. · Journal of Clinical Oncology · 2020. https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.20.01399 13. Peripheral neuropathy - Symptoms · NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/symptoms/ 14. Anterior Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome · Gonzalez J, Bergman R · NCBI Bookshelf · 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK538488/ 15. Limb numbness - causes, treatment and prevention · Healthdirect Australia. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptoms/limb-numbness --- This page is general information, not a diagnosis or a treatment plan for you. For advice about your own feet or legs, see a podiatrist or your doctor. In an emergency, call 000.