Sciatica and diabetic neuropathy are two medical conditions that can cause loss of sensation in your feet. Diagnosing and treating the cause can stop or slow its progression.

Your feet rely on a sense of touch to pull away from hot surfaces and to navigate changing terrain. But if you experience numbness in your foot, you may have little to no sensation in your foot.

Numbness in your foot may be temporary or the result of a chronic condition, such as diabetes.

The symptom can also be progressive. You may begin to lose some sensation in your foot and slowly lose more feeling as time goes on. Seeking medical advice for numbness in your foot may help slow or delay its progress.

This article examines the potential causes of numbness in your feet and when to seek medical help.

The chief symptom of numbness in your foot is a loss of sensation. This also affects your sense of touch and balance because you can’t feel your foot’s position against the ground.

While sensation loss is the main symptom of numbness in your foot, you may experience some additional sensations such as:

  • prickling
  • pins-and-needles sensation
  • tingling
  • weak-feeling foot or feet

These additional symptoms can help your doctor diagnose what’s causing the numbness in your foot.

Your body is a complex network of nerves that travel from the tips of your toes and fingers to your brain and back again.

If a nerve that travels to the foot is damaged, blocked, infected, or compressed, numbness may occur.

Medical conditions that can cause numbness in your foot include:

You may also experience numbness in your foot after long episodes of sitting. This loss of sensation is caused by compressed nerves and blood vessels.

When you stand, and blood flow returns, your foot may feel numb. A pins-and-needles feeling usually follows before circulation and sensation return to your foot.

Numbness in your foot that occurs suddenly and with other symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, can be a cause for concern.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following symptoms in addition to numbness in your foot:

  • confusion
  • difficulty talking
  • dizziness
  • loss of bladder or bowel control
  • numbness that begins in a matter of minutes or hours
  • numbness that involves multiple parts of the body
  • numbness that occurs after a head injury
  • severe headache
  • trouble breathing

While not always an emergency, a combination of foot numbness and these symptoms can be a sign of:

Make an appointment to see your doctor if the numbness in your foot is causing you to trip or fall frequently. You should also see your doctor if the numbness in your foot is getting worse.

If you have diabetes, make an appointment to see your doctor or podiatrist for foot numbness. Diabetes is a common cause of foot numbness because the metabolic changes can cause nerve damage.

Diagnosing foot numbness depends on how severe your symptoms are.

A doctor may order a computed tomography (CT) scan if you’re having stroke-like symptoms. This allows a doctor to view your brain and identify any blockages or bleeding that could be causing your symptoms.

Your doctor will also take a medical history and ask for a description of your symptoms. They may ask you the following questions:

  • How long does the numbness last?
  • What other symptoms do you experience along with the numbness?
  • When did you first notice the numbness in your foot?
  • When is the numbness worse?
  • What makes the numbness better?

After you share your medical history with your doctor, a physical examination typically follows. Your doctor will most likely examine your feet and determine if the sensation loss affects one or both feet.

Tests your doctor may order include:

Additional tests depend upon the suspected diagnosis.

Numbness in the foot is a common cause of imbalance and can increase your risk of falling. Working with a physical therapist to develop a balance program will help reduce your fall risk.

Movements and exercises that don’t irritate your foot numbness are great ways to improve blood flow to the affected nerves. Talk to your doctor and physical therapist about designing an exercise program that works for you.

Treating numbness in your foot is very important. A lack of sensation can also increase your risk for foot wounds. You may experience a cut or injury without knowing it if you cannot sense your feet well. In addition, your wound may not heal as quickly if the circulation in your foot is impaired.

Doctors may sometimes use medications such as gabapentin the treat neuropathy.

Treating the underlying cause of numbness in your foot may help the symptom go away.

Your doctor may also recommend seeing a podiatrist at least yearly if you have chronic numbness in your foot. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

  • inspect your feet regularly for cuts or wounds
  • put a mirror on the floor so you can see the soles of your feet better
  • wear well-fitting shoes that protect your feet to minimize your risk of foot wounds

Keeping these precautions in mind can help minimize any other potential problems that can be caused by foot numbness.