Other causes of peripheral nerve damage may include:

Other diseases. These include autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, kidney disease, liver disease and an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).

Exposure to poisons. These may include some toxic substances and certain medications — especially those used to treat cancer.   Chemicals used in the environment including chemicals in daily products,  pesticides, and even medications.

Genetic makeup. You may inherit a tendency to develop peripheral neuropathy.  Numerous hereditary forms of neuropathy have been identified and defined.

Bacterial or viral infections. An acute condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome frequently causes severe damage to all or part of your peripheral nerves by destroying the myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers.  The myelin sheath acts as an insulator for your nerves and helps conduct nerve impulses.  Although the exact cause of Guillain-Barre syndrome isn’t known, most cases occur after an infection, surgery or immunization.

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to pinpoint the cause of peripheral neuropathy.  In fact, if your neuropathy isn’t associated with diabetes, it’s possible the cause may never be found.  Although numerous and extensive testing is involved in identifying the possible cause and type of neuropathy, most forms of neuropathy do not have treatment options other than control of symptoms typically with medications.

Risk factors

Having diabetes places you at high risk of developing peripheral nerve damage.  In fact, at least half of people with diabetes have some form of neuropathy.  The risk increases the longer you have diabetes, and is highest for those who’ve had the disease for more than 25 years.  Your risk is even greater if you are older than 40 or have difficulty controlling your blood sugar level.

Although researchers don’t understand exactly how damage occurs, a high blood sugar level seems to impair your nerves’ ability to transmit signals.  You can help reduce your risk by carefully following a medically approved plan for keeping your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible.

Your risk of developing peripheral neuropathy is also higher if you have one or more of the following risk factors:

Alcohol abuse. Excessive drinking of alcohol can affect your nervous system, causing numbness of your hands and feet.

Vitamin deficiency. A lack of certain vitamins, especially B-1 (thiamin) and B-12 makes peripheral neuropathy more likely.  Pernicious anemia, which occurs when your body can’t absorb B-12 properly, often leads to peripheral neuropathy.

Immune system disorders. You’re more likely to develop peripheral neuropathy if you have an autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or if your immune system is compromised by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS.

Other health problems. Medical conditions, including certain types of cancer, kidney disease and liver disease, also can put you at risk of nerve damage.

Repetitive stress. A job or hobby that puts stress on one nerve for long periods of time increases your chances of developing peripheral neuropathy.  In carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, the median nerve that extends through your wrist into your fingers becomes compressed.  Repetitive assembly line work or work involving prolonged, heavy gripping can compress the median nerve.  Playing golf, tennis or a musical instrument and using vibrating power tools or even crutches also can put pressure on peripheral nerves.

Toxic substances. Exposure to some toxic substances can make you susceptible to peripheral nerve damage. These substances include heavy metals, such as lead, mercury and arsenic; organic solvents; and certain medications, such as those used to treat cancer or AIDS.