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What to do if…
you experience sudden numbness or tingling in your face, arm, or leg that comes and goes

Short answer

Treat this as a possible stroke or TIA (mini-stroke): call 999 for an ambulance immediately, even if the symptoms have gone (including if they happened within the last 24 hours).

Do not do these things

  • Do not “wait and see” because it improved or comes and goes.
  • Do not drive yourself to A&E, and don’t let someone else drive you unless 999 tells you to.
  • Do not take extra medication (including painkillers or aspirin) unless a clinician/999 adviser tells you to.
  • Do not eat or drink if you’re having swallowing trouble or facial weakness.
  • Do not try to “test” yourself with strenuous activity to see if it comes back.

What to do now

  1. Call 999 and say: “Possible stroke/TIA. Sudden numbness/tingling in my face/arm/leg that came on suddenly and is/was coming and going.”
  2. Note the time the symptoms first started (and when they stopped, if they did). If it happened in episodes, note the most recent episode time too. This matters for urgent treatment decisions.
  3. Check for FAST signs and tell 999 if any apply: facial droop/numbness, arm weakness/numbness, speech problems. Even if FAST isn’t obvious, sudden numbness/tingling can still be urgent.
  4. If you’re alone, unlock the door, put your phone on speaker, and (if you can) message a neighbour/family member to come sit with you until the ambulance arrives.
  5. Gather essentials without delaying the ambulance: NHS number (if known), current medications (or photos of labels), allergies, and any blood-thinner use (for example warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran) if applicable.
  6. Sit somewhere safe (ideally on the floor or a firm chair) in case symptoms worsen. Avoid stairs, baths, or cooking.
  7. If symptoms return or change, tell 999 immediately (new weakness, speech trouble, vision changes, severe headache, confusion, collapse).

What can wait

  • You do not need to work out whether it was a “mini-stroke,” migraine, pinched nerve, anxiety, or something else right now.
  • You do not need to search your symptoms online, contact your GP first, or decide about tests/treatment today.
  • You do not need to explain everything in detail to multiple people—focus on getting assessed urgently.

Important reassurance

Symptoms that come and go can still be serious, and getting checked quickly is the safest choice. Many people feel embarrassed calling emergency services when symptoms improve—this is exactly the situation where it’s still appropriate to call.

Scope note

These are first steps to keep you safe and get urgent assessment. Decisions about scans, medication, driving, work, or longer-term stroke prevention come after you’ve been assessed.

Important note

This guide is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. If you have sudden neurological symptoms (even if they resolve), urgent assessment is needed.

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