Download ArticleDownload ArticleThis article was co-authored by Catherine Cheung, DPM and by How.com.vn staff writer, Hunter Rising. Dr. Catherine Cheung is a double board-certified Podiatrist based in San Francisco, California. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cheung specializes in all aspects of foot and ankle care, including complex reconstruction, injury treatment, custom orthotics, bunion surgery, and all general foot and ankle issues. Dr. Cheung is affiliated with the Brown & Toland Physicians and the Sutter Medical Network. She received her BS from UCLA. She earned a DPM from the California College of Podiatric Medicine, completed her residency at the Encino Tarzana Medical Center, and completed a fellowship at the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. She is double board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive/Ankle Surgery.
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Have you ever tried to stand up and you have a tingling, pins and needles sensation in your foot? When you compress nerves in your leg or foot, you can make the limb fall “asleep” temporarily. We know that it can be uncomfortable for a little while, but there are a few things you can do to make it go back to normal. We’ll start with a few easy tips to try for immediate relief before moving on to long-term solutions to prevent it from happening again!
Steps
Expert Q&A
- QuestionWhat should I do if my foot hurts?
Catherine Cheung, DPMDr. Catherine Cheung is a double board-certified Podiatrist based in San Francisco, California. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Cheung specializes in all aspects of foot and ankle care, including complex reconstruction, injury treatment, custom orthotics, bunion surgery, and all general foot and ankle issues. Dr. Cheung is affiliated with the Brown & Toland Physicians and the Sutter Medical Network. She received her BS from UCLA. She earned a DPM from the California College of Podiatric Medicine, completed her residency at the Encino Tarzana Medical Center, and completed a fellowship at the Kaiser Permanente San Francisco Medical Center. She is double board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery in Foot Surgery and Reconstructive/Ankle Surgery.
Board Certified PodiatristStabilize your foot and avoid wrapping it with anything too tight to avoid cutting off your circulation. Elevate your foot and ice your foot to reduce the pain. If the pain doesn't dissipate or it continues to swell up, see a doctor. - QuestionIs it normal to go to sleep with pins and needles?
Chris M. Matsko, MDDr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
Family Medicine PhysicianNo, this is not normal. Common causes of numbness and tingling include the following: diabetes, hypertension, smoking, vascular disease, and dyslipidemia. You may need to see a neurologist to have a nerve conduction study done to determine the cause. - QuestionWhat if you foot turns purple while it's asleep?Chris M. Matsko, MDDr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.
Family Medicine PhysicianThis is an urgent condition. You need to seek medical attention immediately. You may have arterial insufficiency to the foot leading to the purple color. You will need to have a doppler ultrasound.
Tips
- If nothing works right away, don’t worry. It usually takes a minute or two for your leg to feel normal again.[17]Thanks
- If the pain is unbearable, you can try to distract yourself with other sensations. Gently pinch or scratch another body part, hold some ice, run your hands under water, etc. Remember that it's temporary and you'll feel better in a few minutes.Thanks
Warnings
References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4240700/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5192342/
- ↑ https://www.vox.com/2015/3/1/8121321/foot-falls-asleep
- ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2017/12/why-does-foot-fall-asleep/
- ↑ Catherine Cheung, DPM. Board Certified Podiatrist. Expert Interview. 21 April 2019.
- ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2017/12/why-does-foot-fall-asleep/
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/foot-asleep.html
- ↑ https://wellness.nifs.org/blog/bid/90104/NIFS-Wake-up-Feet-Why-do-your-feet-fall-asleep-when-exercising
- ↑ Catherine Cheung, DPM. Board Certified Podiatrist. Expert Interview. 21 April 2019.
- ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-evaluating-and-treating-leg-numbness-and-cramping/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/exercise/faq-20057916
- ↑ https://share.upmc.com/2017/12/why-does-foot-fall-asleep/
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/foot-problems
- ↑ https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-evaluating-and-treating-leg-numbness-and-cramping/
- ↑ https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/nerve-damage-diabetic-neuropathies/peripheral-neuropathy
- ↑ Catherine Cheung, DPM. Board Certified Podiatrist. Expert Interview. 21 April 2019.
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/foot-asleep.html
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21015-numbness
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/
About This Article
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
To get rid of an “asleep” foot, first try to change your leg position by uncrossing your legs or simply standing up to let more blood flow to your foot. Walking around also help you regain feeling in your foot, but be careful not to trip and hurt yourself. If that’s not working, try soaking your feet in a warm epsom salt bath or massaging the foot that’s “asleep.” If the problem persists, talk to your doctor, since an “asleep” foot may be a symptom of a more serious health concern. To learn more from our Physician co-author, like how to get massages or acupuncture, keep reading the article!
Reader Success Stories
"This helped me because I usually cross my legs and then they fall asleep. But this time it's gotten even worse than all the other times so that I even had to go on the internet to search. This helped me a lot and my feet aren't asleep anymore. Thanks. ;) "..." more
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