tingling & numbness in middle finger

It is FAR more likely to be a condition called carpal tunnel syndrome. This is a response on a medical site to a question from someone with similar symptoms to you (I'm assuming it is only one hand?):

"Sorry to hear you have this problem, but it's very unlikely to be anything to do with your circulation, as it is so well localised to your right hand.

Another thing people worry about with these sort of symptoms is a stroke, but I think that too is very unlikely.

With the symptom of numbness as well as tingling it sounds much more as if this is a nerve entrapment.

That means that somewhere along the line of the nerves that supply this part of your hand, there is some pressure on a nerve.

There are two likely places:

The neck is a possibility because the nerves that go to your hand exit the spine in the neck and travel down the arm into the fingers.

A bit of wear and tear, or even a bit if a twist to the ligaments here could cause pressure on the nerves that would then be felt as tingling and numbness in the fingers.

The other likely possibility is pressure in the wrist. The nerves to the fingers go through a small tunnel at the wrist to get into the hand – called the carpal tunnel.

Pressure here will produce similar symptoms.

Usually it is the middle fingers that are most affected. It can be worse at night and cause pain or discomfort that may wake you, or the hand may feel particularly numb and heavy first thing in the morning.

This condition is called carpal tunnel syndrome."

Don't panic and don't google symptoms! You will always only find the really nasty things - which are really very rare! Do mention it to your doctor.

You may not be aware that there are H & S regulations for use of computers to avoid these specific injuries. It seems clear from your description that the computer is not properly aligned with hands and eyes so you should google DSE regulations but the gist is listed here:

The following may help users:

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Forearms should be approximately horizontal and the user’s eyes should be the

same height as the top of the screen.

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Make sure there is enough work space to accommodate all documents or

other equipment. A document holder may help avoid awkward neck and eye

movements.

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Arrange the desk and screen to avoid glare, or bright reflections. This is often

easiest if the screen is not

directly facing windows or bright lights.

Health and Safety

Working with display screen equipment (DSE)

Page 3 of 6

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Adjust curtains or blinds to prevent intrusive light.

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Make sure there is space under the desk to move legs.

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Avoid excess pressure from the edge of seats on the backs of legs and knees.

A footrest may be helpful, particularly for smaller users.

Well-designed workstations

Keyboards and keying in (typing)

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A space in front of the keyboard can help you rest your hands and wrists when

not keying.

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Try to keep wrists straight when keying.

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Good keyboard technique is important – you can do this by keeping a soft

touch on the keys

and not overstretching the fingers.

Using a mouse

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Position the mouse within easy reach, so it can be used with a straight wrist.

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Sit upright and close to the desk to reduce working with the mouse arm stretched.

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Move the keyboard out of the way if it is not being used.

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Support the forearm on the desk,

and don’t grip the mouse too tightly.

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Rest fingers lightly on the buttons and do not press them hard.

Reading the screen

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Make sure individual characters on the screen are sharp, in focus and don’t

flicker or move. If they do, the

DSE may need servicing or adjustment.

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Adjust the brightness and contrast controls on the screen to suit lighting

conditions in the room.

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Make sure the screen surface is clean.

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When setting up software, choose text that is large enough to read easily on

screen when sitting in a normal comfortable working position.

¦

Select colours that are easy on the eye (avoid red text on a blue background

Hi,

You may find this could be a Folic Acid deficiency.

I have numbness and a "pins and needles" effecting both hands and fingers, since I been taking Folic Acid tablets which you can get on the NHS, the numbness, is going but it takes time.

I have severe nerve conditions as well, but I was told it is where I don't eat enough greens or certain fruit. Bananas is a fruit that should help, well I can say that is wrong, because I have a banana everyday! So, that didn't work.

At the other end of the scale you have "Coeliac Disease" - this can cause the same symptoms that you describe.

EileenH, stated it could be "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" this is also possible, but I personally would ask your Doctor for blood tests to be done, first. This would rule out Folic Acid deficiency and Coeliac Disease.

Regards,

Les.