04/09/2026
Numbness. Tingling. Burning. If you've been told it's 'just peripheral neuropathy' without an explanation, here's what's actually going on.
Your nerves work like electrical wires, carrying signals between your brain and body.
When they're damaged, it can happen two ways:
1. The wire itself (axon) gets damaged.
2. The protective coating around it (myelin) gets stripped.
Sometimes it's both. Either way, the signal gets scrambled, which is why you feel numbness, tingling or that burning sensation.
This damage often starts at your toes and slowly moves upward over time, which is why your feet usually feel it before your hands do.
Understanding what's happening with peripheral neuropathy is the first step to knowing what can help.
Save this post for later, or tag someone who's been dealing with this.