What Is Facial Paresthesia?

Facial paresthesia is a medical term used to describe a feeling of numbness and tingling of the face and is typically caused by damage to the trigeminal nerve. Symptoms often include a feeling of pins and needles or facial tightness and numbness. In addition to nerve damage, paresthesia of the face may 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 paresthesia do not indicate the presence of a severe or life-threatening illness. If the facial numbness and tingling are accompanied by numbness of one or both arms or legs, emergency medical assistance should be sought in order to make sure the patient has not suffered a stroke. The onset of any sudden symptoms of facial paresthesia should be reported to a doctor for further medical evaluation.

Nerve damage is the leading cause of facial paresthesia and may be the result of traumatic injury or natural disease processes. Multiple sclerosis and diabetes are two major contributing factors to the development of this condition. Dental issues, especially those involving the jaw or the primary facial nerve, known as the trigeminal nerve, are also prone to causing numbness and tingling of the face.

Hormone irregularities, nutritional deficiencies, and exposure to cold temperatures may cause temporary facial paresthesia. Some medications, especially those used to treat epilepsy or other seizure disorders, may cause the face to feel numb. The symptoms typically go away once the underlying cause has been treated. If the symptoms persist, a doctor may order a variety of medical tests, including x-rays and blood work, in an attempt to locate the cause of the symptoms.

Treatment for facial paresthesia depends on the underlying cause of the condition. Prescription medications are frequently used, although not everyone experiences relief through the use of oral medications. Injections may be given directly into the trigeminal nerve, or surgical intervention may be used in an attempt to repair any damage to the facial nerves. If the symptoms are caused by brain damage, as in the case of a stroke, there may not be any successful methods of treatment available. The supervising physician will discuss all available treatment options with the patient so that an individualized plan of care can be developed.