TINGLING IN ARMS AND HANDS particularly tingling in left arm to thumb after venapuncture.

Someone drew blood from my left arm a couple days ago, and since then I've been getting a tingling sensation when I stretch out that arm. The tingling radiates down to my left thumb. While they were drawing my blood (not when they first stuck the needle in me), I felt an odd, though not uncomfortable or painful, cooling sensation in the area where they drew the blood. When they stuck the needle into me, however, is when I first felt the tingling down to my thumb. Nothing was particularly painful, though. Do you know what could've happened? I guess I'm just curious for curiosity's sake.

It's important you report to the clinic what has happened. The Median nerve may have been injured - see our Carpal Tunnel page for an illustration.

It will probably heal without treatment, but it is advisable to mention to them, and probably have an initial neurological examination: reflexes, skin sensation and looking for weakness in the fingers. Simple stuff that any doctor can do.

Dr B