Published on: 5/30/2025
What might cause my cheek to be numb?
Numbness in the cheek can be due to infraorbital neuropathy, which affects a nerve in the face, or it could be related to conditions like cancer. It might also be part of a syndrome affecting the cheek and lower eyelid.
Explanation
Feeling numbness in your cheek can happen for a few reasons. One common cause is infraorbital neuropathy. This condition affects a nerve called the infraorbital nerve, which is responsible for feeling in the cheek area. When this nerve has a problem, it can make your cheek feel numb.
Another cause could be related to certain medical conditions. For example, in some cases, people with breast cancer have experienced numbness in their cheek. This happens when cancer affects nerves in the head or face.
There is also something known as "numb cheek-limp lower lid" syndrome. This condition not only causes numbness in the cheek but can also make the lower eyelid droop. This might happen due to nerve issues in the face.
If you are experiencing cheek numbness, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional. They can help figure out what is causing the numbness and what steps to take next.
(References)
- Campbell WW Jr. (1986). The numb cheek syndrome: a sign of infraorbital neuropathy. Neurology, 3951714.
- Tan Z, & Tan SY. (2024). Numb cheek syndrome in breast cancer: a case report. Frontiers in oncology, 38529381.
- Brazis PW, Vogler JB, & Shaw KE. (1991). The "numb cheek-limp lower lid" syndrome. Neurology, 1992387.
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