Tingling in the legs, also called leg paresthesia, is caused by the way in which the brain interprets electrochemical impulses coming from the legs. The brain's strange reading of these signals may be caused by nothing more serious that that the leg has fallen asleep. There can also be multiple more serious reasons the brain might interpret these signals in such a way that a tingling sensation occurs. Various neurological and circulatory disorders, skin conditions, and hereditary illnesses can be at the root of tingling in the legs.

Sometimes described as a pins-and-needles sensation, tingling in the legs can be a transient or chronic condition. Transient paresthesia is usually not a reason for concern. It is most often experienced after putting pressure on the leg, which squeezes nerve pathways. Commonly referred to as the leg falling asleep, the medical term for the condition is obdormition.

Transient tingling in the legs, which will last for a few seconds but not more than several minutes, may occur as a symptom of a panic attack, whiplash, or dehydration. Other conditions that can cause the sensation are hyperventilation, transient ischemic attacks, and seizures. Insufficient blood supply in the legs can also results in paresthesia.

Tingling in the legs that doesn’t go away after several minutes or that recurs often is referred to as chronic leg paresthesia. Causes can vary from fibromyalgia to an immune deficiency disorder. It can be a symptom of a neurological, heart, or hormone condition.

In determining the cause of chronic tingling in the legs, neurological testing may be ordered. Stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, or meningitis could be possible causes. Injuries from repetitive motion may also be to blame, along with carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica.

Leg paresthesia is a common symptom in elderly patients. It is likely the result of poor circulation, which may be a sign of circulatory problems. Angina, atherosclerosis, and other circulatory disorders may have leg paresthesia as a symptom.

Skin conditions such as burns or frostbite can create a sensation of tingling legs. Chronic paresthesia can be caused be various infections, such as HIV or Lyme disease, or it can be a symptom of diabetes. Some psychiatric diseases and medications can also cause the sensation, as can alcoholism.

There are hereditary diseases that can also cause tingling in the legs. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease affects the leg muscles, and Denny-Brown’s syndrome affects the nerve root. Porphyria, a group of inherited disorders, will also produce the symptom.