Why Do I Get Random Tingles All over My Body and Is It a Concern?

Reviewed by Suo Lee, MD

Internal Medicine

Feeling random tingles all over your body can sometimes happen as a natural response similar to ASMR and is usually not a cause for concern, but if it worries you, it's best to get checked.

Explanation

Sometimes people experience little tingling feelings on their skin that seem to come and go without a clear reason. This is a bit like what happens during ASMR—a relaxed feeling some people get when they hear soft sounds or gentle voices. Studies have shown that these tingles can be part of normal brain activity and may help you feel calm. They can happen when you are relaxed or even when you are feeling a bit anxious. Most of the time, these random tingles are harmless and do not hurt. However, if you notice that the tingling gets worse, is accompanied by pain or other unusual symptoms, or if you feel very worried about it, then it is a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional. They can help figure out if there is another cause behind these sensations or if it is just a normal response that happens to many people. This information is for education only and should not replace advice from your doctor.

(References)

Engelbregt HJ, Brinkman K, van Geest CCE, Irrmischer M, Deijen JB. The effects of autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) on mood, attention, heart rate, skin conductance and EEG in healthy young adults. Exp Brain Res. 2022 Jun;240(6):1727-1742. doi: 10.1007/s00221-022-06377-9. Epub 2022 May 5. PMID: 35511270; PMCID: PMC9142458.
Eid CM, Hamilton C, Greer JMH. Untangling the tingle: Investigating the association between the Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR), neuroticism, and trait & state anxiety. PLoS One. 2022 Feb 2;17(2):e0262668. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262668. PMID: 35108290; PMCID: PMC8809551.
Tihanyi BT, Ferentzi E, Beissner F, Köteles F. The neuropsychophysiology of tingling. Conscious Cogn. 2018 Feb;58:97-110. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2017.10.015. Epub 2017 Oct 31. PMID: 29096941.

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