Facial Pain

About the Symptom

Facial pain is pain felt in any part of the face, including the mouth and eyes. The pain may be pressing, sharp, or dull in nature.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Numbness of the body
• Fever
• Abnormal sensation (tingling, prickling)
• Numbness / sensory disorder
• Back pain

Possible Causes

Generally, Facial pain can be related to:

• Trigeminal Neuralgia

  Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by pain affecting the trigeminal nerve (carries sensation from the face to the brain). Even mild stimulation of your face, like brushing teeth or combing hair, might trigger it. Causes include contact between a blood vessel and the trigeminal nerve, which puts pressure on the nerve, nerve compression by a brain tumor, stroke, or trauma.

• Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

  Mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. Risk factors include family history of connective tissue disease and exposure to certain viruses or chemicals. It's most common in women in their 20s and 30s, but children may also be affected.

• Sinusitis

  Infection of the sinuses, which are cavities around the nose and face. The infection can be acute (lasting about a week) or chronic (lasting more than three months). Most often infections start as a viral upper respiratory infection (URI) and then bacterial infection sets in. The symptoms include fever, facial pain or pressure, and nasal obstruction or drainage. Imaging including CT scans may be necessary.

• Cluster Headache
• Tolosa Hunt Syndrome
• Dental Caries
• Migraine

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Facial pain may be related to these serious diseases:

• Bell's Palsy

  Characterized by sudden weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, Bell's palsy is usually temporary and occurs on one side of the face. The exact cause is unknown but is believed to be due to swelling and inflammation of the nerve controlling the facial muscles or viral infection. Anyone can be affected by this condition, but pregnant women, those with lung infections, and those with a family history of the condition are at higher risk.

• Recurrent Parotitis
• Acute Glaucoma Attack

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Have you been experiencing facial pain, tingling, or burning?
• When did you first notice the facial pain, tingling, or burning?
• How often do you experience facial pain, tingling, or burning?
• Do you have pain in your upper jaw?
• Do you have pain on the sides of your nose and under your eyes?

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