Cancer can result in death. Strokes may cause permanent paralysis and make a person unable to talk in some cases. Continued alcohol abuse can result in liver, brain, and other organ damage. Numbness itself is not contagious and poses no risks to others. Certain infections that can cause numbness, such as HIV, are contagious.
Treatment is related to the cause.
For those with a previous injury, there is often no effective treatment. Some people try surgery to return some feeling to the affected area. Physical therapy may help, too. Those with diabetes need to control their blood sugar with diet, exercise, and medications to prevent further nerve damage. People with anxiety can be treated with medications to reduce anxiety.