Various therapies and procedures can help relieve the signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). Electrodes placed on the skin deliver a gentle electric current at varying frequencies. Intravenous plasma and immunoglobulin exchange. Surgical treatment may be recommended for people with nerve damage due to nerve injury or compression.
Mobility aids, such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair, may be helpful. For pain, the doctor may prescribe painkillers. Viruses such as herpes simplex, varicella zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles), and Epstein-Barr virus damage the sensory nerves and cause severe episodes of throbbing pain. Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves in the body's extremities, such as the hands, feet, and arms, are damaged.
Symptoms depend on which nerves are affected. Neuropathies often begin in the hands and feet, but other parts of the body can also be affected. Early diagnosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathy is important, because peripheral nerves have a limited ability to regenerate and treatment can only stop progression, not reverse damage. The effective prognosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathy largely depends on the cause of nerve damage.
When a person's neuropathy occurs as a result of compression of a single nerve, treatment is similar regardless of which nerve is affected. A person's choice of treatment should take into account any medications they are taking for other conditions in order to avoid unwanted interactions. Talk to your doctor to determine the best medical treatment for you, and explore the self-care and supplemental options that can complement your health care. Early diagnosis and treatment offers the best opportunity to control symptoms and prevent further damage to the peripheral nerves.
While physical examination and testing are sufficient to diagnose some cases, other patients require imaging for confirmation or to aid in treatment. Treatment approaches for nerve pain in the hand vary greatly depending on the specific case and the underlying condition.
