Peripheral Neuropathy Simple Fact Sheet
A condition caused by damage to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves that run from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Many of these nerves are involved with sensation and feeling things such as pain, temperature and touch. Up to one-third of people with HIV may get some symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy is usually felt at first as tingling and numbness in the hands and feet. Symptoms can be described as burning, shooting pain, throbbing, aching, and "feels like frostbite" or "walking on a bed of coals."
 

NINDS Peripheral Neuropathy Information Page

Peripheral neuropathy describes damage to the peripheral nervous system, which transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body.

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a term used to describe disorders of your peripheral nervous system. Your peripheral nervous system includes nerves in your face, arms, legs, torso, and some cranial nerves. In fact, all of your nerves not located in your central nervous system — which includes the brain and the spinal cord — are peripheral nerves.