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Diseases & Conditions

The big pain of small-fiber neuropathy

March 1, 2022

The condition often begins with mild discomfort, but the pain can become debilitating. Here’s what you can do about it.

close-up of a man holding his foot overlaid with red to represent pain

Ever get a sudden tingling or numb feeling in your feet or hands? You often can make it go away with a few good shakes, but if the problem keeps recurring, followed by painful or burning sensations, you may have something called small-fiber neuropathy.

"While not life-threatening, small-fiber neuropathy should always be checked out, as it could be a symptom of something more serious," says Dr. Khosro Farhad, a neuropathy expert at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

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About the Author

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Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch

Matthew Solan is the executive editor of Harvard Men’s Health Watch. He previously served as executive editor for UCLA Health’s Healthy Years and as a contributor to Duke Medicine’s Health News and Weill Cornell Medical College’s … See Full Bio
View all posts by Matthew Solan

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