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Tingling Sensations

Question

What could be the cause of my 7-year-old son having tingling in his fingers and toes?

Dr. Greene's Answer

It’s worth checking with a neurologist about ongoing tingling like that. Migraines cause it in some kids, and sometimes it is the only symptom of the migraines. But it can also be caused by diabetes. Severe vitamin deficiencies could also do it, but a multivitamin should be enough to prevent that.

The tests to consider would be nerve conduction studies and a MRI. In adults, multiple sclerosis is now known to cause a glove and sock tingling (tingling of the hands and feet) that was once thought to be “in people’s heads” (not real). We now know that it is real.

MS is rare in children but it does occur. About 0.2 to 2 percent of all cases occur in kids. It is more common in girls than in boys, and it does run in families.

Reviewed By:
Khanh-Van Le-Bucklin M.D. & Liat Simkhay Snyder M.D.
July 2, 2010
Published on: January 21, 2003
About the Author

Alan Greene MD

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Dr. Greene is a practicing physician, author, national and international TEDx speaker, and global health advocate. He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California San Francisco.
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