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The onset and progression of peripheral neuropathy varies based on its underlying cause. Examples include:

• With trauma or circulatory problems, the onset of peripheral neuropathy symptoms will be acute or sudden, with the most severe symptoms occurring at the onset.
• Inflammatory and some metabolic neuropathies have a subacute course extending over days to weeks. A chronic course over weeks to months usually indicates a toxic or metabolic neuropathy. A chronic, slowly progressive neuropathy over many years occurs with most hereditary neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.
• Demyelinating neuropathies are commonly inflammatory and treatable. They may present either with acute symptoms or chronic symptoms. Acute presentation of symptoms is seen with conditions such as with Guillain-Barre syndrome where symptoms of weakness and sensory disturbances worsen and reach a peak over one month. Chronic symptoms such as in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) may evolve over a longer period (more than four weeks)
• Typically, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy progresses slowly or may not progress at all after the initial symptoms appear.

Symptoms of the most common types of peripheral neuropathy usually begin gradually and may barely be noticeable when they first appear. Initial sensations may be intermittent and can include tingling, numbness, or other feelings in the feet/toes or hands/fingers. Symptoms usually progress from the periphery towards the center of the body. Some individuals experience intensification of their symptoms at night.

Skin may become increasingly sensitive and the slightest touch can cause excruciating pain. Many people have pain or burning distributed in the pattern of wearing an invisible sock or glove. The pain or sensations can increase in frequency and duration and can also change in quality to include new symptoms. Each individual experiences their own unique pattern of pain progression.

If motor nerves are involved, the individual may experience weakness in the legs or arms and a sense of heaviness when trying to lift them. This also effects balance and increases the danger of falling and fracture. If autonomic nerves are involved, the individual may progress to having related symptoms (e.g., bowel or bladder problems, impotence, cardiac symptoms and/or reduced sweating).

Some types of acute peripheral neuropathy, such as Guillain-Barre syndrome must be diagnosed and treated quickly. The symptoms develop rapidly and can potentially become life threatening. Other types of peripheral neuropathy may be self-limiting such as neuropathy related to a treatable underlying medical condition. Yet other patients who suffer from neuropathy may find that their symptoms relapse and remit over the years. Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that causes significant morbidity for patients but typically is not associated with mortality.