Nerve conditions can cause right-hand numbness. It may also be due to Raynaud’s disease, nutritional deficiencies, or injury. Treatment depends on the cause.
In rare cases, numbness in the right hand may be due to a stroke, neurosyphilis, or Lyme disease.
If the condition is serious, a person will usually have other symptoms accompanying the numbness.
This article reviews conditions that may cause numbness in the right hand, as well as when to contact a doctor.
Some nerve conditions may cause right-hand numbness.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a repetitive stress condition that happens when a person does repeated movements with the hand and wrist, such as typing, writing, or pressing buttons.
The motions put pressure on the median nerve, a major nerve in the hand. As the motions squeeze the nerve, the person experiences pain, numbness, and tingling in the wrist, hand, and sometimes arm.
CTS usually gets worse over time, so contacting a doctor for diagnosis and treatment as early as possible is important.
Doctors may recommend wearing a wrist splint or avoiding certain activities until the inflammation subsides.
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Cubital tunnel syndrome refers to the entrapment of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. This is when the ulnar nerve becomes compressed or irritated.
This may result in numbness or tingling in the ring finger and pinky finger. Wearing a brace and avoiding leaning on the elbow may help manage cubital tunnel syndrome.
In some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery.
Diabetic neuropathy
In people with diabetes, high levels of glucose in the blood can cause
Usually, the nerve damage affects the peripheral nerves in the feet, and
Other symptoms of diabetic neuropathy include a loss of sensation in the feet and pain in the lower legs. Pain usually develops gradually over time, though in some cases it can happen suddenly.
Learn about medications for diabetic neuropathy.
Medication side effects
Some drugs can cause nerve damage or neuropathy, usually affecting the peripheral nerves. This may cause numbness and tingling in the extremities, such as the hands and feet.
The medication may have a toxic effect on the myelin sheath or the axon of the nerves, causing damage and interfering with nerve signals.
Examples of drugs that
- some heart or blood pressure medications
- some cancer drugs, such as cisplatin and vincristine
- some antibiotics, such as isoniazid and metronidazole
- some antiseizure drugs, such as phenytoin
It is important to contact a doctor before stopping taking any medication they have prescribed.
Injury
Physical trauma or injury can also cause numbness in the right hand.
If an external event, such as a car crash, causes nerve damage or bruising in the right hand, the person may feel numbness.
A person who has experienced physical trauma should contact a doctor for an examination so they can understand the extent of the injury. Treatment can depend on the type and severity of the injury.
Nutritional deficiency
Low vitamin B12 can cause nerve problems, which may result in tingling or numb hands and feet.
A person
Some people may also take vitamin B12 supplements at a doctor’s advice.
Learn about other symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Low potassium, or hypokalemia, can also cause numbness in the hands.
Many foods are sources of potassium, especially fruits and vegetables. Therefore, a person usually does not need to take a supplement.
Herniated cervical disk
Sometimes degeneration or an acute injury can cause a cervical disk in the neck to slip or herniate.
The herniation may cause a narrowing of the spinal canal, putting pressure on the nerve root. This can cause numbness, weakness, and tingling in the hand and arm.
Treatment for a herniated disk can include physical therapy, rest, and pain relief medication. Sometimes a doctor may recommend surgery or injections.
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative condition affecting the myelin sheaths in the central nervous system.
Myelin is a fatty material that surrounds nerve axons. It helps nerve signals move around the body quickly and efficiently.
When this material degrades, the nerve impulses slow down. Numbness or tingling in the extremities, such as in the hands, can be a sign of MS.
MS is a chronic condition with no cure, but certain treatments can help improve a person’s quality of life.
Learn about the early signs of MS.
Other conditions can lead to numbness in the hand.
Golfer’s elbow
Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, happens when pain and inflammation are concentrated on the inside of the elbow. It is a condition affecting the tendon.
According to a
Physical therapy, rest, and pain relief medications may help golfer’s elbow and prevent it from recurring.
Raynaud’s disease
Raynaud’s disease is a condition where the small blood vessels in the extremities go into spasm when a person is exposed to the cold.
The spasming can cause numbness, pain, tingling, and throbbing in the hands. The skin will often turn a blotchy red and white pattern. It may also turn blue.
Raynaud’s disease is a common condition that does not usually cause any complications. However, a person may wish to contact a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. The doctor can also help determine if there is an underlying cause for Raynaud’s disease.
Ganglion cyst
A ganglion cyst is a fluid-filled sac. It is the most common cause of lumps in the hands.
A ganglion cyst is not a nerve condition. However, if the cyst is pressing on a nerve, a person might have numbness or tingling in the hand.
A doctor can perform surgery to remove the cyst if necessary.
Learn more about how doctors remove ganglion cysts.
Cervical spondylosis
Cervical spondylosis is arthritis of the neck, a very common result of getting older and of natural wear and tear on the body.
The disks and joints in the neck degenerate, causing:
- headaches
- grinding or popping in the neck
- trouble balancing
- muscle spasms in the neck and shoulders
In some instances, cervical spondylosis causes a narrowing of the spinal cord, putting pressure on the nerves leading to the hands and fingers. This can cause numbness or weakness.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, is when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormones. Without proper treatment, it may cause peripheral neuropathy to develop in the hands. This might make a person’s hands feel numb or tingly.
A doctor
Learn more about the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition that causes widespread pain all over the body. It
Possible causes of fibromyalgia include:
- lupus
- rheumatoid arthritis
- osteoarthritis
- ankylosing spondylitis
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- chronic back pain
- depression
- anxiety
To treat fibromyalgia, a doctor will usually recommend medications to relieve pain. They may also recommend certain exercises to combat the symptoms.
Learn about fibromyalgia and itching.
The following causes are less common or rare causes of numbness in the hand right hand:
- Stroke: A sudden loss of feeling and strength on one side of the body is a key symptom of a stroke. A person may also experience numbness.
- Heart attack: A heart attack can present with arm or shoulder pain. If a person thinks they or someone else is having a heart attack, they should call for emergency help as soon as possible.
- Syphilis: If a person does not treat syphilis, it can spread to the brain and nervous system, a condition called neurosyphilis. At this stage, the bacteria
can cause the hands and feet to become numb and tingly, along with severe headaches, uncoordinated movements, paralysis, and dementia. - Guillain-Barré syndrome: Guillain-Barré syndrome occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. It can start with tingling and numbness in the hands, and may extend to full paralysis.
- Thoracic outlet syndrome: Thoracic outlet syndrome can happen when
there is pressure on the blood vessels, nerves, and arteries running from the base of the neck, past the armpit, and to the arm and hand. This condition can cause numbness or tingling down the arm into the hand. Other symptoms include changes in hand temperature and color, weakness, and swelling. - Lyme disease: A bacterium causes Lyme disease. Humans may get it when they get tick bites. Some people may experience pain or numbness in the hands and feet.
- Vasculitis: Vasculitis is inflammation of blood vessels that causes thickening, narrowing, and weakening of the walls of the vessels. A viral, fungal, or bacterial infection or a reaction to medications and toxins can cause it. The inflammation affects the nerves,
causing shooting pain and numbness in the arms, legs, and hands. - Lupus: Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can affect almost any organ in the body. When it focuses on the joints, it can cause numbness in the hands.
It is important to contact a doctor if numbness in the right hand does not go away or if it keeps coming back.
Get medical attention if any of the following symptoms accompany the numbness:
- dizziness
- weakness
- issues in other parts of the body
- headaches
Some causes are medical emergencies. A person should seek immediate medical help if they experience symptoms of a stroke.
Nerve conditions can cause numbness in the right hand. Examples include carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), diabetic neuropathy, multiple sclerosis (MS), and a herniated cervical disk. Nerve injury and nutritional deficiencies may also cause right-hand numbness.
Other conditions that can cause numbness in the right hand include golfer’s elbow, Raynaud’s disease, cervical spondylitis, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, and ganglion cysts.
In rare cases, numbness may occur due to a stroke. This is a medical emergency.
Other less common causes of right-hand numbness include syphilis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, vasculitis, Lyme disease, and lupus.
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. A person should contact a doctor if they have concerns about numbness in the right hand.