Can a tingling finger on the left hand be a sign of a stroke?

Numbness and tingling fingers are rarely associated with strokes, according to Mayo Clinic. There are other causes though, including peripheral neuropathy as a result of diabetes, as stated by WebMD.

Pathological causes of tingling fingers and hands include:

• Diabetic neuropathy that usually begins in the feet or hands, before moving up towards the legs and arms
• Idiopathic neuropathy, which is neuropathy without a known cause
• Nerve entrapment syndromes, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• A variety of systemic diseases, including kidney and liver disorders
• Having a vitamin E, B12, B6 or B1 deficiency that leads to pernicious anemia
• Alcoholics may experience tingling sensations, either as a result of thiamine loss or because they are suffering from nerve damage
• Certain toxins can cause tingling sensations. This includes lead, arsenic and mercury
• Infections like Epstein-Barr, shingles, Lyme disease, herpes simplex and HIV/AIDS
• Injuries that have cause nerve trauma that results in a loss of sensation or tingling; for example, nerve compression or a herniated disc in the spinal cord
• Multiple sclerosis
• Syphilis
• Vasculitis, which involves inflammation of the blood vessels
• People also experience tingling sensations from lying on one part of their arm or hand for too long

It is important to note that around 30 percent of tingling sensations arise due to diabetic neuropathy, another 30 percent from idiopathic neuropathy and the remainder from other conditions. It is rare that tingling sensations arise because of brain or spinal cord problems, including strokes.