Paresthesia is a neurological symptom characterized by a burning or prickling sensation that is usually felt in the hands, arms, legs, or feet, but can also occur in other parts of the body. It can also be described as a feeling of "pins and needles," numbness, crawling, itching, or skin-crawling. Paresthesia can happen without warning and is usually painless. Everyone experiences temporary paresthesia at some point in their lives, which can be caused by sustained pressure on a nerve, such as sitting with legs crossed for too long or falling asleep with an arm positioned under the head. However, chronic paresthesia, which is either constant or intermittent, can be a sign of an underlying medical condition or nerve damage. Paresthesia can be a symptom of serious medical conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, tumor in the spinal cord or brain, or diabetes. Its important to talk to a healthcare provider if you have paresthesia that affects the same body part on both sides or if it happens with other symptoms, such as weakness, loss of function, or loss of balance, that disrupt your life.