Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the nerves that control the sense of touch, how a person feels pain and temperature, and muscle strength. A person who has peripheral neuropathy may find it hard to do things that require coordination, such as walking or fastening buttons.

Peripheral neuropathy is often caused by other health problems such as diabetes, kidney problems, vitamin deficiencies and alcoholism, HIV, or Guillain-Barré syndrome. It can happen after exposure to toxic substances, such as arsenic, or by certain medicines such as those used for chemotherapy.