Is There Help for Nerve Pain?

A doctor’s advice for understanding and treating numbness and pain caused by peripheral neuropathy in hands or feet

Adam Rosenbluth, M.D.,

AARP

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Published May 19, 2025

illustrated gif of a woman with her hand on fire

James Yates

Why do I sometimes get numbness and a fire-like pain in my hands, and how can I stop it?

It sounds like you’re dealing with peripheral neuropathy. This is a condition that affects nerves outside your brain and spinal cord, particularly the ones in your hands or feet. In addition to the numbness and burning pain that you describe, some people with this condition feel sensations like jabbing or throbbing pain, extra sensitivity to touch, a tightness as if they’re wearing snug gloves or socks, and muscle weakness.

More than 20 million people in the United States have some form of this disorder, and our chances of getting it increase as we get older. In fact, peripheral neuropathy is most common in folks in their 70s and 80s. There are several possible causes, the leading one being diabetes. If blood sugar levels aren’t well controlled, nerves get damaged, and this interferes with their ability to properly send messages.

Peripheral neuropathy could also be the result of a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or a symptom of an autoimmune inflammatory disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Guillain-Barré syndrome and Sjögren’s syndrome. Thyroid disease or shingles can also cause peripheral neuropathy, and some people may develop it as a reaction to medication or after an injury.

Depending on which condition led to your symptoms, neuropathic pain is sometimes reversible. Even if it can’t be cured, there are medications and lifestyle changes to help you cope or prevent it from getting worse. But if you leave peripheral neuropathy untreated, it might lead to weakness.

From a doctor’s point of view, weakness is more serious than pain. For instance, if peripheral neuropathy weakens the connective muscles in your feet, it can lead to foot drop, a condition that causes the foot to drag. Likewise, if the muscles in your hand weaken, it can affect overall function, including the fine motor skills needed to write and to use a cellphone. For that reason, I'd encourage you to see your doctor as soon as possible.

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To get the most from your appointment, I suggest keeping a diary. Observe your symptoms, write them down and describe them in detail. For example, are you experiencing sensations in both hands or only on one side? Is it happening to particular fingers? Is the feeling sharp, a dull throb or needling? Note when the pain started and what you were doing when you noticed it. Is it constant or does it wax and wane? Is there anything you do that makes it feel worse or better?

Your health care provider will take a medical history and do blood work. You’ll be tested for blood, urine, glucose, thyroid, inflammation, and your vitamin and mineral levels, among other things. Some physicians look for Lyme disease. Depending on the results, your doctor may order more tests.

No one should have to live with pain, but understandably, a lot of my patients hesitate to take strong pain medication. There are substitutes. Certain antidepressants and a drug for epileptic seizures called gabapentin have been effective in reducing neuropathic pain. Over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) help, but you don’t want to take them too often. You can try topical treatments like lidocaine or capsaicin. Nerve-block injections offer temporary relief, and physical therapy can help reduce soreness and stiffness.

More from Dr. Adam

I also recommend lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation, such as stopping smoking, exercising regularly, eating a diet with fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, avoiding processed foods, and limiting alcohol. If you have diabetes, it's important that you stay on top of your blood sugar levels.

Peripheral neuropathy not only affects your hands and feet; it can also limit your world. I’ve seen the way pain and weakness lead to depression and isolation, especially in my older patients. I want you to live your best life, so please contact your doctor. There are no guarantees your neuropathy can be reversed, but with the right treatment, feeling better is within reach.

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