Meralgia paresthetica

<h2>What is meralgia paresthetica?</h2>
Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the outer thigh. It happens when a nerve in that area gets squeezed or compressed.
Different things can cause meralgia paresthetica. They include pregnancy, wearing tight belts or waistbands, leaning the thigh on something for a long time, and injury to the area. Sometimes, it can happen after surgery in the area.
Meralgia paresthetica is more common in people who have diabetes or obesity and in older people. It is not a serious condition, and it usually goes away on its own. 
<h2>What are the symptoms of meralgia paresthetica?</h2>
The main symptoms involve the upper and outer thighs. They can include:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Pain: Pain can be burning or stinging.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Tingling: This can feel like &#8220;pins and needles&#8221; in the area.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Numbness</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Feeling extra sensitive to touch: Even light touch, like the feeling of clothing on the skin, might be unpleasant.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Itching</li>
</ul>
Symptoms usually affect only one of the thighs.
<h2>Will I need tests?</h2>
Your doctor should be able to tell if you have meralgia paresthetica by learning about your symptoms and doing a &#8220;neurological exam.&#8221; In a neurological exam, the doctor checks how the brain, nerves, and muscles are working.
Sometimes doctors do other tests to make sure something else is not causing your symptoms. This is more likely if you have any symptoms that are different from the ones listed above. Other tests might include:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">MRI of the spine: An MRI is a type of imaging test. It creates pictures of the inside of your body.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Nerve conduction studies (&#8220;NCS&#8221;) or electromyography (&#8220;EMG&#8221;) These tests check how well your nerves and muscles are working.</li>
</ul>
<h2>How is meralgia paresthetica treated?</h2>
Meralgia paresthetica usually goes away on its own within a few weeks or months. If your symptoms bother you, it might help to:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Avoid wearing tight belts or clothing with a tight waistband. These things can put pressure on the nerve that runs from your lower spine to your thigh.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Consider losing weight if you are overweight. Your doctor or nurse can talk to you about healthy ways to lose weight if this is something you want to do.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Take pain-relieving medicines such as acetaminophen (brand name: Tylenol) or ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin).</li>
</ul>
If your symptoms last for longer than 1 or 2 months, tell your doctor or nurse. They might suggest trying other treatments, such as pain medicines or a shot of medicine to numb the area. Sometimes surgery is recommended for people with severe symptoms, but this is rare.

Meralgia paresthetica is a condition that causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the outer thigh. It happens when a nerve in that area gets squeezed or compressed.

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