Health

Paresthesia

By Marcia Purse, About.com Guide

Updated November 16, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

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Definition:
Paresthesia is an abnormal skin sensation such as numbness, tingling, itching or burning. It may have no particular cause. Some common causes of paresthesia include:

Nerve injury
Chemotherapy drugs
Side effects or withdrawal effects of some prescription drugs

Other forms of paresthesia include sensations that may be described as prickling, electric shocks, "pins and needles," "skin crawling," or a feeling that something like ants or snakes are moving over the skin.

Pronunciation: PAIR-es-THEE-zhuh

Alternate Spellings: Paraesthesia

Common Misspellings: Parasthesia

Examples:

When Edward stopped taking Lexapro too quickly, he experienced paresthesia in the form of sensations of small electric shocks on his skin.

Some Medications That Can Cause Paresthesia:

Paresthesia in Medical Conditions:

Some Causes of Paresthesia:

Marcia Purse
Bipolar Disorder Guide

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