What causes numbness of the skin on the outside of my thighs?

Hi Anonymous,

Thank you for your post. It sounds like you may have Meralgia Paresthetica. 

Meralgia paresthetica is a condition characterized by tingling, numbness and burning pain in the outer part of your thigh. The cause of meralgia paresthetica is compression of the nerve that supplies sensation to the skin surface of your thigh.

Tight clothing, obesity or weight gain, and pregnancy are common causes of meralgia paresthetica. However, meralgia paresthetica can also be due to local trauma or a disease, such as diabetes.

Pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which supplies sensation to your upper thigh, may cause these symptoms of meralgia paresthetica:

• Tingling and numbness in the outer (lateral) part of your thigh
• Burning pain in or on the surface of the outer part of your thigh
• Less commonly, dull pain in your groin area or across your buttocks

These symptoms commonly occur only on one side of your body and may intensify after walking or standing.

See your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms of meralgia paresthetica listed above, including tingling, numbness or burning pain in the outer part of your thigh.

https://www.empowher.com/community/ask/could-your-skinny-jeans-be-threat-your-health

Please keep us posted when you see your doctor,

Rosa