Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is pressure on a nerve in your wrist. It causes tingling, numbness and pain in your hand and fingers. You can often treat it yourself, but it can take months to get better.

Check if you have carpal tunnel syndrome

The symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:

• an ache or pain in your fingers, hand or arm
• numb hands
• tingling or pins and needles
• a weak thumb or difficulty gripping

These symptoms often start slowly and come and go. They are usually worse at night.

How to treat carpal tunnel syndrome yourself

CTS sometimes clears up by itself in a few months, particularly if you have it because you're pregnant.

Wear a wrist splint

A wrist splint is something you wear on your hand to keep your wrist straight. It helps to relieve pressure on the nerve.

You wear it at night while you sleep. You'll have to wear a splint for at least 4 weeks before you start to feel better.

You can buy wrist splints online or from pharmacies.