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Numbness and Tingling

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By Editorial Team

3 min read

Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: May 2024 | Last updated: June 2024

Migraine attacks can cause a wide variety of symptoms and affect many parts of the body. In fact, 2 people living with migraine disease may experience attacks completely differently. About 1 in 4 people with migraine experience aura symptoms, such as numbness and tingling.1

What is migraine aura?

Migraine aura is a set of nerve-related (neurological) symptoms. These symptoms typically begin 5 minutes to 1 hour before head pain begins. The severity of the aura symptoms builds slowly and fades when the headache starts.1,2

Sometimes, aura symptoms can occur at the same time as head pain. Some people may even have aura symptoms with no head pain, called a silent migraine. And many people have aura with some migraine attacks but not others.2,3

There are several types of migraine aura. They are classified by the symptoms they cause:3,4

  • Visual aura – This type causes changes to vision, such as seeing flashing lights or blind spots. It is by far the most common type of aura.
  • Auditory aura – This type causes changes to hearing, such as a ringing in the ears.
  • Sensory aura – This type causes changes to the way the body feels, such as feelings of numbness, tingling, or prickling.
  • Motor aura – This type of aura causes weakness in the face or body. Weakness on 1 side of the body is a sign of a rare form of migraine known as hemiplegic migraine.
  • Dysphasic aura – This type causes trouble speaking or finding words. Dysphasic aura is rare.

How do numbness and tingling affect people with migraine?

Numbness and tingling are common symptoms of sensory migraine aura. These symptoms affect more than 1 in 3 people who have aura with migraine attacks.3

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People who experience numbness or tingling may feel it in their face, hands, or other parts of the body. The sensation often begins in the fingers or mouth. It might then spread elsewhere, like up the arm or into the tongue. Often, these symptoms happen along with symptoms of a visual aura.2,5,6

Why do numbness and tingling occur with migraine?

Researchers are still learning about what causes sensory aura symptoms with migraine attacks. But they believe auras may result from a process called cortical spreading depression.4

In this process, a wave of electrical changes in brain cells moves across the surface of the brain. This wave triggers certain sense receptors for various parts of the body, including the face and mouth. Experts think cortical spreading depression results in inflammation in the protective layers around the brain (meninges). This inflammation ultimately may be what causes migraine symptoms.4

How are numbness and tingling treated?

Treatments for these symptoms of sensory aura mirror general treatments for migraine. Treatments either target existing symptoms or aim to prevent attacks before they happen.3

Common treatments for existing aura and migraine symptoms include:3,7-10

  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – These pain medicines are available over the counter or in stronger doses by prescription. Ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen are examples of NSAIDs.
  • Triptans – These prescription drugs change the way blood moves through the brain and the way the brain processes pain.
  • Antinausea medicines – These drugs can help people who have nausea or vomiting with a migraine attack.
  • Dihydroergotamine – This medicine can help reduce certain symptoms, such as sensitivity to light or noise.
  • Opioids – Opioid pain medicines are a last resort for migraine treatment. Research suggests that opioids do not work well for migraines in the long term. While they may provide some temporary relief, opioid use can increase migraine frequency and severity over time. Opioids are also habit-forming.

Treatments that may help prevent aura and migraine symptoms include:3,4

If you experience any of the following, get medical care right away. These may be symptoms of a stroke, brain tumor, or other serious health condition.2,5

  • Aura that lasts longer than 1 hour
  • Severe migraine symptoms
  • Migraine symptoms that come on suddenly
  • Passing out before or during a migraine attack
  • Weakness on 1 side of your body