‘Pins & needles’ (paresthesia) – A sensation of uncomfortable tingling, prickling, itching or skin crawling usually felt in the hands or feet. The affected area is sometimes said to have ‘fallen asleep’. A common cause of pins and needles is leaning or lying awkwardly on an arm or leg, which either presses against the nerves or reduces the blood supply to the local area. Changing position usually quickly restores normal feeling as the nerves start sending messages to the brain and spinal cord again. In some cases, pins and needles are caused by temporary or permanent nerve damage or certain disorders of the central nervous system. Always see your podiatrist if you experience frequent or persistent bouts of pins and needles in your feet.