Tingling in right arm refers to a prickly sensation. It can occur due to varied factors such as nerve compression or injury or severe underlying vascular diseases. Affected people may experience weakness of fingers and arms, numbness in right, etc.

It is important for patients to consult a doctor for all cases of tingling in right arm as it can be an indicator of some serious disorder.

Symptoms of Tingling in Right Arm

A few common signs and symptoms that may accompany tingling in right arm are listed below:

• Dry eyes; vision disturbances in people with multiple sclerosis
• Soreness of muscles
• Hair loss
• Numbness of tight arm
• Allergic reactions
• Dryness of skin
• Weakness in fingers and upper limbs
• Swelling and/or inflammation
• The affected arm area may become whitish, then bluish, then reddish
• Dizziness or fainting
• Persistent and prolonged pain in right arm and/or other areas of the body

Tingling in Right Arm – Causes

Tingling in right arm may occur due to the below listed factors and underlying conditions:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: It is a wrist condition marked by compression or increased pressure on the nerves present in the wrist area. Doctors are currently not aware of the exact cause of the condition. However, a few known factors include excessive/prolonged use of wrist as when typing; obesity or being overweight; diabetes, and arthritis, etc. Besides tingling in right arm, patients may experience pain and numbness in right arm.
• Pinched nerve: Any kind of trauma or underlying inflammatory disorder of the nerves in the right arm brachial plexus or upper limbs injuries marked by pinched nerve can cause weakening of the limb, pain, and burning and tingling sensations.
• Nutrition deficits: Deficiency in vitamins D, C, B, B2, B5, and B12 and in minerals like magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus, etc., can trigger tingling sensations in right arm and the fingers. Deficits in nutrients can be corrected by taking supplements and eating a healthy balanced diet.
• Herniated disc: It is a condition characterized by abnormal protrusion of any one of the spinal discs, or a section of the disc, present between the series of vertebral spinal cord bones. Outwards protrusion of the disc can pinch certain nerves in the area and result in pain, numbness, and tingling in the right arm or in both the arms and the lower limbs. These symptoms also often migrate to the fingers.
• Raynaud’s syndrome: This is a condition characterized by spasms of the arteries that supply blood to certain tissues, which leads to reduced blood flow to those areas. It is generally caused by stress and exposure to cold weather. Extremities like the toes, fingers, ears, and nose are usually affected. Patients may suffer color changes of these extremities in addition to tingling in right arm.
• Multiple sclerosis: It is a disorder wherein the protective sheath of nerves gets erroneously identified as invaders and subsequently attacked by the immune system. This immune system action adversely affects nerve function. Multiple sclerosis usually causes damage to the nerves of the spinal cord and brain. Damage of the right arm nerves in patients may result in pain and tingling in right arm.
• Stroke: If the part of the brain that controls the upper limbs suffers a stroke, then patients may suffer from paralysis and tingling. Stroke of the left side of brain and associated blood vessels may result in varied stroke symptoms along with tingling in right arm.
• Cervical disc disease: With aging, the disc present between vertebrae bones undergo degeneration and cause pain. Such pain migrates from back to neck, shoulder, and upper limbs. Patients may subsequently experience pricking, stiffness, numbness, and tingling sensations. Injuries and other diseases of the spinal discs can also cause it to deteriorate.
• Other causes: Tingling in right arm may also occur due to kidney diseases, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, migraine, and ganglion cysts, etc.

Treatment of Tingling in Right Arm

Treatment of tingling in right arm is dependent on the underlying cause. Avoiding overuse of one arm; proper posture when typing; and other self-help measures can help prevent minor cases of tingling in right arm.

A few treatment options for underlying causative diseases/triggers are listed below:

• Different injuries are treated with painkillers and other drugs as well as physical therapy. Surgical correction and repair may be needed for serious injuries.
• Symptoms of Raynaud’s syndrome can be eased with massage, relaxation and breathing techniques, and medications. Patients also need to avoid contact with cold temperatures. In severe cases, doctors may opt for surgery.
• Multiple sclerosis has no known cure. Treatment involves alleviation and management of symptoms with physical therapy and varied medications.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome and spinal disc problems are treated with NSAIDs, pain medications, and physical therapy. If these traditional treatments don’t work, then surgery becomes necessary.