Peripheral neuropathy in Ireland: tingling, numbness and nerve pain

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy means damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can affect sensation, movement or automatic functions such as blood-pressure control. Symptoms often start in the feet, but the pattern depends on which nerves are involved. Tingling alone does not confirm neuropathy: pressure on a nerve and several other conditions can cause similar symptoms.

Symptoms: burning feet, numb toes and tingling hands

• Sensory symptoms: persistent pins and needles, numbness, burning or shooting pain, or pain from a light touch.
• Reduced sensation: you may not notice a cut, a blister or an unusually hot surface. Numbness can occur without pain.
• Movement and balance: weakness, difficulty lifting the foot or unsteadiness may need examination.
• Other symptoms: dizziness on standing or changes in sweating can occur with some nerve disorders, but have other possible causes too.

Temporary pins and needles or an ongoing nerve problem?

Brief tingling after sitting on a leg or sleeping on an arm commonly settles when pressure is removed. The HSE advises contacting a GP if pins and needles do not go away, keep coming back or last a long time. Persistent symptoms in both feet may suggest a different pattern from symptoms confined to one hand or travelling from the back down a leg. Your history and examination help distinguish the causes.

Possible causes: diabetes, vitamin B12 and more

Diabetes is a well-recognised cause. NHS guidance identifies it as the most common cause in the UK; that is not an Ireland-specific prevalence estimate. HSE guidance also lists diabetes among the causes of persistent pins and needles. Not every person with diabetes and tingling has diabetic neuropathy.

• Vitamin B12 deficiency and some other nutritional deficiencies; testing helps determine whether replacement is needed.
• Long-term heavy alcohol use, an underactive thyroid, kidney or liver disease.
• Nerve injury or compression; some inherited, inflammatory or infection-related conditions.
• Certain medicines, including some chemotherapy treatments. Bring your complete medication list; do not stop prescribed treatment yourself.
• Sometimes no cause is identified after assessment; this is called idiopathic neuropathy.

What tests might a GP recommend?

A GP asks when symptoms started, which areas are affected, whether they are progressing, and about diabetes, alcohol, medicines and family history. An in-person examination can check sensation, muscle strength, reflexes and the feet. These checks cannot be completed fully by video or phone.

Prepare a symptom timeline and medication list, plus any existing diabetes or B12 results. Read how an online GP consultation works before choosing whether an online discussion or an in-person appointment is the better starting point.

Treatment: address the cause and manage nerve pain

Treatment depends on the cause. It may include diabetes management, treating confirmed vitamin B12 deficiency, reviewing a contributing medicine, or specialist care. Some causes are treatable, but established nerve damage does not always reverse. There is no single cure or guaranteed recovery time.

Nerve pain often responds poorly to ordinary painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. A clinician may consider a medicine specifically used for neuropathic pain after reviewing your health, interactions and follow-up needs. Some treatments cause tiredness or dizziness: do not drive if affected. Do not increase doses or stop treatment without advice. Controlled painkillers are never prescribed online.

Protecting numb feet and staying active

• Check your feet regularly for blisters, cuts or sores, especially if you have diabetes or reduced sensation. Seek prompt advice for a wound that is not healing.
• Wear well-fitting footwear and avoid walking barefoot or exposing numb skin to direct heat.
• Discuss safe exercise or physiotherapy if weakness or balance problems make activity difficult.
• Managing diabetes, reducing heavy alcohol use and stopping smoking can support general health; they do not guarantee nerve recovery.

When to seek care — do not overlook new weakness

• Emergency: sudden stroke-like symptoms, rapidly progressing weakness, trouble breathing/swallowing, or new loss of bladder/bowel control. Seek emergency assessment; call 112 or 999 for emergency symptoms.
• Prompt in-person review: new weakness, worsening balance, a non-healing foot wound, or a foot that is red, swollen or hot — especially with diabetes.
• GP appointment: persistent or recurring unexplained tingling, numbness or nerve pain, even when discomfort is mild.

Can NOVAGP help with neuropathy symptoms?

A €39 video or phone GP consultation can help discuss your symptoms, review medicines and agree the next step. A physical examination, blood sample or specialist nerve test may still be necessary. An online consultation cannot guarantee a diagnosis or prescription and is not a replacement for emergency care. Browse conditions an online GP can assess for the wider service.

Sources and further reading

• HSE: pins and needles — symptoms, causes and GP assessment
• NHS: peripheral neuropathy overview
• NHS: causes of peripheral neuropathy
• NHS: diagnosis and nerve tests
• NHS: treatment and nerve-pain medicine safety

Sources checked on 29 October 2026. HSE guidance is the Irish reference; NHS information provides supplementary clinical context, not Irish service-entitlement or prevalence figures. This is general patient information, not an individual treatment plan.

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