What might cause tingling under my eye and cheek area?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Tingling under the eye and cheek is most often caused by irritation, compression, or inflammation of the trigeminal or facial nerve. Common triggers include sinus congestion, dental issues, stress, poor sleep posture, migraines, anxiety, or vitamin deficiencies (especially B12). While it's usually harmless and temporary, persistent, worsening, or one-sided tingling — especially with weakness, vision changes, or numbness — may signal a more serious condition like Bell's palsy, shingles, or a neurological issue and warrants prompt medical evaluation.

Because facial tingling can stem from dozens of possible causes, guessing isn't the safest approach. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insight into what may be behind your symptoms and clear guidance on what to do next — whether that's home care, seeing a dentist, or contacting a doctor. It takes just 3 minutes and could save you hours of worry.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Tingling sensations under the eye and cheek are usually related to nerves in the face, such as the infraorbital nerve, which supplies sensation to these areas. Common causes include:

Nerve irritation or pressure: This can happen from facial injury, dental procedures, or swelling from infections or allergies. Sinus issues: Inflammation or infection in the sinuses can put pressure on nearby nerves causing tingling or numbness. Skin conditions or allergies: Rashes or allergic reactions can cause tingling sensations in the facial skin. Other causes: Migraines, nerve disorders, or anxiety can also cause facial tingling. If the tingling is mild and short-lived, it often isn't a cause for concern. However, if it lasts a long time, gets worse, or comes with other symptoms like numbness, weakness, or vision changes, you can use our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes before seeing a healthcare provider for evaluation.

(References)

Brazis PW, Vogler JB, & Shaw KE. (1991). The "numb cheek-limp lower lid" syndrome. Neurology, 1992387.
Francis KR, Williams DP, & Troost BT. (1987). Facial numbness and dysesthesia. New features of carotid .... Archives of neurology, 3827688.
Matsuda S, Nagano O, Serizawa T, Higuchi Y, & Ono J. (2010). Trigeminal nerve dysfunction after Gamma Knife surgery .... Journal of neurosurgery, 21121801.

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