Guide
Nerve Health Guide: What Causes Numbness and Tingling, and When to See a Doctor
Numbness, tingling or burning in the feet often comes from damaged peripheral nerves. NINDS says diabetes is the leading U.S. cause, and low B12 and too much B6 are the best-known vitamin causes (NINDS, Peripheral Neuropathy). Medicines and alcohol can play a part too (MedlinePlus, Peripheral Nerve Disorders). The cause decides the treatment, so a doctor visit comes first. A supplement such as Nerve Savior is not a treatment.
Written by the Nerve Savior editorial teamUpdated
The basics
What do peripheral nerves do?
Peripheral nerves carry signals between the brain and spinal cord and the rest of the body. NINDS describes three kinds, and most nerve problems touch all three to some degree (NINDS, Peripheral Neuropathy).
Sensory nerves
They report touch, temperature and pain. Damage here causes tingling, numbness, burning and poor balance.
Motor nerves
They move your muscles when you walk or grip. Damage here causes weakness, cramps and twitching.
Autonomic nerves
They run things you do not think about, like heartbeat, sweating and digestion. Damage can upset blood pressure or the gut.
The longest nerves reach the feet. That is why trouble often shows up in the toes first. NINDS notes that nerve pain is often worse at night.
Causes
What causes numbness, tingling and burning in the feet?
Diabetes is the most common cause in the United States, according to NINDS (NINDS, Peripheral Neuropathy). The NIDDK says one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have peripheral nerve damage (NIDDK, Diabetic Neuropathies). Several other causes are common and often fixable.
| Cause | How it harms nerves | What usually comes first |
|---|---|---|
| Diabetes | High blood sugar and high blood fats damage nerves over time (NIDDK, Diabetic Neuropathies) | Blood sugar control, which can slow the damage (MedlinePlus, Diabetes & Nerve Damage) |
| Low vitamin B12 | Shortage causes numbness and tingling, even without anemia (ODS, Vitamin B12) | A blood test, then B12 as your doctor directs |
| Too much vitamin B6 | High doses over months can cause sensory neuropathy (ODS, Vitamin B6) | Count and cut back B6 from all pills |
| Medicines | Some drugs affect nerves; metformin and acid reducers lower B12 (ODS, Vitamin B12) | A medicine review with your doctor or pharmacist |
| Alcohol | Heavy drinking is a known cause (MedlinePlus, Peripheral Nerve Disorders) | Cutting down, with help if needed |
| Other causes | Injury, pinched nerves, kidney or liver disease, infections such as shingles, autoimmune disease | Tests to find the cause |
NINDS lists more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy. Treatment depends on the cause, and some cases get better once the cause is corrected.
Vitamins
How can vitamins B12 and B6 both cause tingling?
Too little B12 and too much B6 can each lead to nerve symptoms. That surprises many people, because both are sold as nerve vitamins.
B12 is needed to keep nerves healthy. Adults need 2.4 mcg a day, and the NIH sets no upper limit (ODS, Vitamin B12). People who take metformin or an acid reducer for years are more likely to run low. A simple blood test answers the question.
B6 is different. Adults need about 1.3 to 1.7 mg a day. The U.S. upper limit is 100 mg a day, and European experts set 12 mg in 2023 (ODS, Vitamin B6). MedlinePlus says large doses can cause numbness and trouble with coordination (MedlinePlus, Vitamin B6).
Multivitamins, B-complex pills, energy drinks and nerve formulas can all contain B6. If tingling started or got worse after you began a new product, tell your doctor what you take. Read more on the vitamin B6 ingredient page.
Act now
Which nerve symptoms need a doctor right away?
New numbness, tingling, burning, weakness or balance trouble always deserves a checkup. Some signs should not wait for a routine visit at all.
Sudden weakness, numbness or drooping on one side of the face or body, trouble speaking, or confusion. These can be signs of a stroke, not a foot nerve problem.
- Weakness or numbness that spreads up the legs or arms over hours or days
- A foot sore, blister or cut that is red, warm, swollen, draining or not healing
- Loss of bladder or bowel control with back pain or leg numbness
- New falls, or feeling as if you cannot sense where your feet are
- Symptoms that began after a new medicine or a jump in vitamin doses
The CDC tells people with diabetes not to wait for the next appointment if they notice tingling, loss of feeling or sores on their feet (CDC, Diabetes & Feet).
Diagnosis
How do doctors find the cause of nerve symptoms?
Doctors start with questions and a hands-on exam, then use tests to narrow the cause. Most people only need the first few steps.
History
Expect questions about when it started, where you feel it, your medicines, supplements, alcohol use and family history. Bring a written list of every pill you take.
Physical and nerve exam
The doctor checks touch, vibration, temperature, reflexes, strength and balance. A thin nylon thread or a tuning fork is often used on the feet.
Blood tests
Common checks include blood sugar, B12, kidney and liver function, and thyroid. The doctor chooses based on your story.
Nerve tests if needed
Nerve conduction studies and EMG measure how well nerves and muscles carry signals. Imaging or a small skin biopsy is used for some cases.
NINDS lists these tests among the tools doctors may use. Your doctor will pick the ones that fit your symptoms.
Daily habits
What everyday habits do the NIH and CDC stress for nerve health?
Blood sugar control and daily foot care come first in federal advice. MedlinePlus says keeping blood sugar in range can slow diabetic nerve damage (MedlinePlus, Diabetes & Nerve Damage).
- Keep blood sugar, blood pressure and blood fats in the range your care team sets.
- Do not smoke, and limit alcohol.
- Stay active with low-impact exercise such as walking, cycling or swimming.
- Eat a varied diet and keep a healthy weight.
- Check your feet every day, as the CDC advises (CDC, Diabetes & Feet). Our foot care guide walks through the routine.
- Ask about vaccines such as shingles, which NINDS mentions for nerve-related problems.
- Take prescribed medicines as directed, and tell every provider about each supplement you use (ODS, What You Need to Know).
By the numbers
How common are nerve problems?
Supplements
Where does a supplement like Nerve Savior fit, and where does it not?
A supplement can add nutrients to a plan your doctor already backs. It cannot find the cause of nerve symptoms, and it is not a treatment for neuropathy.
The Nerve Savior label says it supports healthy nerve function, blood flow and circulation, and the neurological system. Those statements carry the FDA disclaimer. Its 600 mg blend holds 11 ingredients with no single amounts printed, so you cannot tell how much B6 or B12 you get. See the Supplement Facts breakdown for the label math.
Where it can fit
- After a checkup, if your doctor agrees it is safe with your medicines
- Alongside blood sugar control, foot care and activity
- As a 30-day trial you track honestly
Where it does not fit
- In place of a diagnosis or prescribed care
- If you already take B6 from other pills, without counting it
- If you have a foot wound, new weakness or fast-spreading symptoms
If low B12 is the problem, a tested dose your doctor picks is clearer than a blend with unknown amounts.
FAQ
Nerve health questions people ask
What is the most common cause of tingling feet?
Diabetes is the most common cause of tingling feet in the United States, according to NINDS. Other frequent causes include low vitamin B12, too much vitamin B6, some medicines and heavy alcohol use. A doctor can sort out which one applies with an exam and simple blood tests.
Can low vitamin B12 cause numbness in the feet?
Yes, low vitamin B12 can cause numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, even when blood counts look normal. The NIH notes that metformin and acid-reducing drugs can lower B12 over time. A blood test is the reliable way to know, so ask for one rather than guessing.
Can taking too much vitamin B6 cause neuropathy?
Yes, too much vitamin B6 over months can cause sensory neuropathy, with numbness and coordination trouble. The U.S. upper limit is 100 mg a day, and Europe set 12 mg in 2023. Add up B6 from every pill you take, including multivitamins and nerve formulas, and share the total with your doctor.
When should I see a doctor for numbness and tingling?
See a doctor for any new numbness, tingling, burning or weakness, and do not wait for a routine visit if symptoms spread fast or a foot sore appears. Sudden one-sided weakness, face drooping or trouble speaking needs 911, because those can be stroke signs rather than a nerve problem in the feet.
How do doctors test for peripheral neuropathy?
Doctors test for peripheral neuropathy with a history, a hands-on exam of touch, vibration, reflexes and balance, and blood tests such as sugar and B12. If needed, they order nerve conduction studies and EMG, which measure how signals travel. Imaging or a skin biopsy is used in some cases.
Can nerve damage from diabetes be slowed?
Yes, MedlinePlus says keeping blood sugar in your target range can slow diabetic nerve damage. Daily foot checks, not smoking, staying active and regular checkups also help prevent injuries. Your care team sets the targets, and some nerve damage does not fully reverse once it has happened.
Can a nerve supplement replace seeing a doctor?
No, a nerve supplement cannot replace seeing a doctor. Tingling has many causes, and only an exam and tests can find yours. Nerve Savior is a dietary supplement that is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Ask your doctor first if you take medicines.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Plain-language pages built from the bottle label, the order page and linked public health sources such as NIH, FDA and CDC.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and the way we check reviews. This website is run by a U.S. retailer for Nerve Savior, not by the manufacturer. We get paid when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
More about Nerve Savior
Foot care guide
A five-minute daily foot routine from CDC advice, a printable checklist and the signs that need a call.
Read more
Vitamin B12
Low B12 causes tingling, but the label prints no amount. A blood test tells you more than the bottle.
Read moreSide effects
Side effects and drug interactions for each Nerve Savior ingredient, plus who should skip it and when to call a doctor.
Read moreUSA Authorized Nerve Savior Retailer
Ready to try Nerve Savior?
Pick how long you want to try it. Two capsules a day, and one bottle lasts 30 days.
- Secure checkout
- 30-day return window
- Ships from the U.S. with tracking
