Empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives

Numbness in Multiple Sclerosis

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Numbness is lost, diminished or altered sensation in the body. Numbness of the face, body, arms or legs is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis. It might have been the first MS symptom you experienced.You may notice that you have less feeling when touching something with your hand. The sensation in one leg may be different from the other. You may have a pins-and-needles sensation, as if your limb were “asleep.”To learn more about managing numbness with MS, watch the video below. Also, to find out more about Sensory Changes in MS, watch the whole episode of Ask an MS Expert.

If you have numbness, find out what you should check for and keep in mind to avoid falling.

Your numbness may be mild or so severe that it keeps you from using the affected body part properly.For example:

If your hands are numb, it may be hard for you to write, get dressed or hold objects safely.
If you have severe facial numbness, you may bite the inside of your mouth or tongue accidentally.
If you have numbness of other parts of the body, you may get a burn without realizing it from fires, hot water and other sources of heat.
If your feet are very numb and you cannot feel the floor, you may have difficulty walking. You are also at risk of stepping on sharp objects and cutting your feet. Inspect your feet regularly and see a podiatrist if you are experiencing numbness in your feet.

In most instances, numbness comes and goes, and is not disabling. If you just started having numbness due to an MS relapse, your provider may prescribe a brief course of corticosteroids to speed up recovery. These types of drugs reduce inflammation and suppress your immune system, which is helpful in autoimmune conditions.Symptoms of numbness and tingling could also be related to a vitamin B12 deficiency. This is common in MS. To come up with a treatment plan, you must fully understand what is playing a role in your numbness and tingling.

Your numbness may be mild or so severe that it keeps you from using the affected body part properly.For example:

If your hands are numb, it may be hard for you to write, get dressed or hold objects safely.
If you have severe facial numbness, you may bite the inside of your mouth or tongue accidentally.
If you have numbness of other parts of the body, you may get a burn without realizing it from fires, hot water and other sources of heat.
If your feet are very numb and you cannot feel the floor, you may have difficulty walking. You are also at risk of stepping on sharp objects and cutting your feet. Inspect your feet regularly and see a podiatrist if you are experiencing numbness in your feet.

Numbness or Tingling

Numbness in Multiple Sclerosis