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Published on: 4/28/2025

What Could Cause a Needle Prickling Sensation on the Skin Surface and Is It Common?

A needle pricking feeling on the skin can happen when nerves are irritated due to conditions like notalgia paresthetica or other types of neuropathy, and these sensations are relatively common.

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Explanation

When you feel like needles are prickling your skin, it might be because the nerve fibers in that area are sending extra signals. Research shows that molecules similar to those in spices, like hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, can cause tingling or prickling sensations on the skin, explaining why some foods or chemicals trigger this feeling. Another cause is a condition called notalgia paresthetica, where nerves in a particular area like the upper back become irritated, causing a constant needle-like sensation. Other forms of neuropathy, such as those seen in skin conditions like erythromelalgia, can also produce similar feelings. These sensations are fairly common and are often not a sign of a serious medical problem if they occur occasionally. However, if the needle prickling sensation becomes frequent, severe, or is accompanied by other symptoms such as pain, weakness, or changes in skin color, it is important to talk with a healthcare provider to check for underlying medical issues. Taking care of your overall nerve health with a balanced diet and regular exercise may help reduce these sensations.

(References)

  • Lennertz RC, Tsunozaki M, Bautista DM, Stucky CL. Physiological basis of tingling paresthesia evoked by hydroxy-alpha-sanshool. J Neurosci. 2010 Mar 24;30(12):4353-61. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4666-09.2010. PMID: 20335471; PMCID: PMC2852189.

  • Šitum M, Kolić M, Franceschi N, Pećina M. NOTALGIA PARESTHETICA. Acta Clin Croat. 2018 Dec;57(4):721-725. doi: 10.20471/acc.2018.57.04.14. PMID: 31168209; PMCID: PMC6544103.

  • Leroux MB. Erythromelalgia: a cutaneous manifestation of neuropathy? An Bras Dermatol. 2018 Jan-Feb;93(1):86-94. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20187535. PMID: 29641704; PMCID: PMC5871369.

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