The top of my finger is completely numb - what could it be?

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I've been up for over an hour now so it couldn't be because I leant on it in the night. I had to get up at 4.30 for half an hour with a horrific coughing fit, could it be that? And while I'm here, I've had this cough for over 4 weeks now I think, it was chesty then dried out and seemed like it was getting better. Now it's worse, alternating between chesty and hacking and I'm coughing all the time. Should I get checked out by the doctor or just wait for it to clear up? Don't want to waste their time. TIA

I get that from time-to-time - I think it's just poor circulation, but go and see the GP if it's still like that later - mine doesn't last very long.

Thanks Tilly, it's not come back yet. I keep rubbing it to see if the feeling's back, people are going to think I'm strange!

I get that when I have had far too much to drink the night before (not that this happend very much these days). Otherwise I'd second the circulation theory (I have that too in hands and feet).

If you are coughing up coloured phlem then go to the doctor as you'll probably need antibiotics. I have just had my first course in years as the bugs going around not are particularly nasty. Otherwise a spoon of honey for the cough is just as effective as cough syrup.

Hope you feel better soon.

My dad gets this -he has been told it's called Raynaud's disease.

My sister has Raynauds - it is worse with the cold and vibrations. All her fingertips go purple/blue/white and it is quite painful. I think she takes supplements for circulation (I'll need tocheck but I think it's ginger).

Is it white? Looks like all the blood has done? Probably reynauds. If it's not it could be a trapped nerve. I lost feeling in my little finger for about 6 weeks after trapping a nerve in labour while clinging on to a bed rail!

I would go to a doctor for what you have described. Hope that the feeling in your finger comes back soon.

Thanks everyone. My dad has Raynaud's actually so maybe that's what it is. If it carries on I'll look into some supplements. No risk of having too much to drink I haven't looked at my phlegm but I'll have a look when I get the chance. I'll give the honey a go and see if it helps, can't be getting up coughing every night it's wiped me out. Doesn't help that DD got up at 11 with teething pain and didn't settle again til 2.

I get this - and sometimes down the sides of fingers too. I think the circulation and/or damaged nerves are to blame. Sometimes my tingling and "pins and needles" numbness is accomp with burning sensations too.
cold weather and warm houses - the change over from one to another temp makes it bad. Also, chopping chillis the day before can have delayed effects (weird but true!). I find wearing gloves and having a self heating hand warmer in my coat pocket helps relieve symptoms on very cold days.

It isn't white, just looks the same as normal. There's feeling in the tip, just not the rest of the top of my finger. Maybe it is a trapped nerve then. DD did have me in some awkward positions last night when she was trying to get to sleep I might go the doctors, why do things like this always come up on a Friday? I've got a hair appointment in an hour too so I can't even get one this morning.

You could try NHS direct

Well I'm back from my hair appointment and it's still numb. It's strange as deeper under the skin still has feeling it's just the top layer that's numb. My hands are warm too. Think I might ring NHS direct once DD's down for her nap. Thanks for all of your advice

Let us know how you go.

Hope your hair turned out nice too.

Thanks gm, hair's not bad but could have done with being a bit more exciting. Can't ring now as DD's just conked out on my knee so I'll have to do it later. I'm sure it'll be fine though.