help

[babygirl0609]

my left fingers pinky mostly is numb and tingly and i dont know what it is

[Lulu54]

Hi Babygirl,
We wouldn't know what it is either without a lot more of your history.  I hope it stops soon because that canbe really annoying.
Lulu

[Quixotic1]

First know that we can't diagnose anything here.  But, I will tell you what the most common cause of a numb pinky finger is.

The nerve that goes to the pinky finger and usually to the outside of the ring finger is called the ulnar nerve.  It is the same nerve that screams and tingles if you hit your funny bone.  This nerve runs from the funny bone on the outside of the elbow all the way down the side of the forearm to the pinky and ring fingers.  It can be damaged with prolonged pressure on it anywhere it runs.

The most common way we bruise or damage this nerve is by leaning the outside edge of our forearms on something in front of us like the edge of a table or a desk or on the hard arm of a chair.  It usually takes a prolonged period of this pressure.  You also might be able to hurt the nerve while lying face down and propped up on your elbows on a firm surface.  My dad did it by leaning on the armrest of the car while he drove.  (His was the left pinky, too.)

Try to think about the positions you spend a long time in.

The treatment, if this is likely what you did, is to stop ANY pressure from pressing on the side of your forearm - ever.  It may take several months for the nerve to heal.  If you don't think you have put pressure on your forearm or if the numbness is very bothersome, or if it spreads or if you want to, see your doctor.

Quix