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What to do if…
you experience sudden numbness or tingling in your face, arm, or leg that comes and goes

Produced and maintained by PanicStation.org Published: Last reviewed: Editorial policy UK guide

Short answer

Treat sudden numbness or tingling in your face, arm, or leg as a possible stroke or TIA. Call 999 for an ambulance now, even if the symptoms have gone or are coming and going.

Do not do these things

  • Do not “wait and see” because the symptoms improved or stopped.
  • Do not drive yourself to A&E.
  • Do not let someone else drive you unless 999 tells you to.
  • Do not take extra medication, including aspirin or painkillers, unless a clinician or 999 adviser tells you to.
  • Do not eat or drink if you are having swallowing trouble, facial weakness, or choking.
  • Do not test yourself with strenuous activity to see if symptoms come back.

What to do now

  1. Call 999 and say: “Possible stroke or TIA. I had sudden numbness or tingling in my face, arm, or leg. It is or was coming and going.”
  2. Note the time the symptoms first started. If they stopped, note when they stopped. If there have been episodes, note the most recent episode time.
  3. Check for FAST signs and tell 999 if any apply: face drooping or weakness, arm weakness or numbness, or speech problems. Sudden numbness or tingling can still be urgent even if FAST signs are not obvious.
  4. If you are alone, unlock the door, put your phone on speaker, and message a neighbour, family member, or trusted person to come and sit with you until help arrives.
  5. Gather essentials only if this does not delay help: your current medications or photos of labels, allergies, NHS number if known, and any blood-thinner use, such as warfarin, apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, or dabigatran.
  6. Sit somewhere safe, such as on the floor or a firm chair. Avoid stairs, baths, cooking, driving, or standing for long.
  7. If symptoms return or change, tell 999 immediately. Mention new weakness, speech trouble, vision changes, severe headache, confusion, fainting, collapse, or trouble swallowing.

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out whether this is a mini-stroke, migraine, trapped nerve, anxiety, or something else right now.
  • You do not need to search symptoms online or contact your GP before calling 999 if the symptoms are sudden, recent, or happening now.
  • You do not need to decide about scans, medicines, driving, work, or longer-term treatment today.
  • You do not need to explain everything to multiple people. Focus on getting urgent medical advice and staying safe while you wait.

Important reassurance

You are not wasting anyone’s time by calling 999 for sudden face, arm, or leg numbness that comes and goes. Symptoms that improve can still need urgent assessment, and calling now is the safer first step.

Scope note

These are first steps only, to help you get urgent assessment and avoid risky delays. Later decisions about tests, medication, driving, work, or stroke prevention may need specialist medical advice.

Important note

This guide is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you have sudden neurological symptoms, 999 or a clinician can advise the safest next step.

Additional Resources

Closely connected guides that may be useful during the same situation or its immediate aftermath.

About this guide

This guide was produced and is maintained by PanicStation.org using its published editorial process. Official and specialist sources are checked where relevant, and AI-assisted tools may be used for drafting, organisation, and consistency checks. The site operator remains responsible for publication, revision, and removal decisions.

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