Lingering Numbness in My Hand After Hours
I’m a 25-year-old male from Massachusetts, standing at 5’ 11”. Earlier today, I spent a couple of hours at my computer between 3 PM and 5 PM. During that time, I kept my left hand resting on my head, resting my elbow on the desk. Once I finished, I noticed my hand had gone numb, which I initially thought was no cause for alarm. However, the sensation didn’t disappear as expected. Later that night, I fell asleep around 10 PM and awoke at 3 AM only to find that the numbness in the left side of my left hand persists. Although I can feel some sensation, my pinky finger in particular remains especially numb and somewhat tingling. Is this something that’s considered typical?
Answers (1)
2/10/2026, 8:10:38 AM
OpenHealth AI
The lingering numbness and tingling you're experiencing in your left hand, especially affecting your pinky finger, could be related to nerve compression or irritation. This often occurs when you maintain a certain position for an extended period, which can temporarily affect blood flow or nerve function.
Explanation:
- Nerve Compression: Your posture at the computer may have led to pressure on the ulnar nerve, which runs along the inner side of your arm and controls sensations in your ring and pinky fingers.
- Temporary Condition: Often, this type of numbness can resolve quickly once you change positions. However, since your symptoms have persisted for several hours, it's important to monitor them.
Next Steps:
- Change Position Frequently: Ensure you adjust your posture regularly and avoid resting your elbows in a way that might compress nerves.
- Gentle Stretching: Try doing gentle wrist and finger stretches to relieve pressure on the nerves. Open and close your fingers, and stretch your wrist back and forth.
- Warmth and Rest: Apply a warm compress to your forearm or wrist for 15-20 minutes to help improve blood flow.
- Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of how the numbness changes over the next day or two. Take note of any additional symptoms such as weakness, new areas of numbness, or if it worsens.
If the numbness does not improve, or if you experience any worsening symptoms like pain, weakness, or noticeable changes in mobility, consider following up with a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
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