Facial paresthesia is a numbness and tingling sensation in the face caused by nerve damage, cold temperatures, nutritional deficiencies, or medical conditions. It is not usually serious, but if accompanied by numbness in arms or legs, emergency help is needed. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Facial paresthesia is a medical term used to describe a numbness and tingling sensation in the face and is typically caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve. Symptoms often include a sensation of tingling or facial tightness and numbness. In addition to nerve damage, facial paresthesia can be caused by cold temperatures, nutritional deficiencies, or a variety of other medical conditions. In many cases, the exact cause of this condition remains unknown, even after extensive medical testing.
Most cases of facial paraesthesia do not indicate the presence of a serious or life-threatening illness. If the facial numbness and tingling are accompanied by numbness in one or both arms or legs, emergency medical help should be sought to ensure that the patient has not suffered a stroke. The onset of any sudden symptoms of facial paraesthesia should be reported to a doctor for further medical evaluation.
Nerve damage is the leading cause of facial paresthesia and can be the result of traumatic injury or natural disease processes. Multiple sclerosis and diabetes are two of the major contributing factors to the development of this condition. Dental problems, particularly those involving the jaw or the primary facial nerve, known as the trigeminal nerve, are also prone to cause numbness and tingling in the face.
Hormonal irregularities, nutritional deficiencies, and exposure to cold temperatures can cause temporary facial paresthesias. Some medications, especially those used to treat epilepsy or other seizure disorders, can make your face numb. Symptoms typically go away once the underlying cause has been treated. If symptoms persist, a doctor may order a variety of medical tests, including X-rays and blood tests, in an effort to pinpoint the cause of the symptoms.
Treatment for facial paresthesia depends on the underlying cause of the condition. Prescription drugs are used frequently, although not everyone experiences relief through the use of oral medications. Injections can be given directly into the trigeminal nerve or surgery can be used in an attempt to repair any damage to the facial nerves. If symptoms are caused by brain damage, such as in the case of a stroke, effective treatment methods may not be available. The supervising physician will discuss all available treatment options with the patient so that an individualized treatment plan can be developed.
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