When pressure builds around this nerve, symptoms can develop in the hand.

Typical symptoms include:

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Burning

• Pain

• A sensation that the hand is swollen even when it isn't

The numbness often affects the:

• Thumb

• Index finger

• Middle finger

• Part of the ring finger

The little finger is generally not affected by classic carpal tunnel syndrome because it is supplied by a different major nerve.

Why is it often worse at night?

Many people sleep with their wrists bent.

Keeping the wrist in a flexed position can increase pressure within the carpal tunnel and aggravate symptoms.

As a result, someone with carpal tunnel syndrome may wake up several times during the night with tingling or numbness.

They may instinctively shake their hand or move their wrist to make the sensation go away.

If this happens regularly, it is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

3. A Pinched Nerve in Your Neck Can Cause Hand Numbness

Not every nerve problem starts in the wrist.

The nerves that eventually travel into your hands originate from the spinal cord in your neck.

A problem involving the cervical spine can therefore cause symptoms farther down the arm.

A compressed or irritated nerve in the neck may cause:

• Neck pain

• Shoulder pain

• Arm pain

• Tingling

• Numbness

• Weakness in part of the arm or hand

You may notice that moving your neck in certain directions changes the symptoms.

The numbness may also follow a particular path down the arm and into specific fingers.

This is sometimes called cervical radiculopathy.

If hand numbness occurs together with persistent neck pain or arm weakness, medical evaluation can help determine whether the source is in the neck rather than the wrist or hand.

4. Ulnar Nerve Compression Can Affect the Ring and Little Fingers

Another important nerve is the ulnar nerve.

This nerve travels around the elbow and continues into the hand.

You may recognize it as the nerve that causes that intense "funny bone" sensation when you bump your elbow.

If the ulnar nerve becomes compressed or irritated, numbness and tingling may occur primarily in:

• The little finger

• Part of the ring finger