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Numbness in the face is not a condition but a symptom of something else. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including nerve damage, a tumour, a stroke, or even something as simple as sleeping in an odd position. Facial numbness can also be a symptom of anxiety or stress. In some cases, it can be indicative of a more serious condition, such as Bell's palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), or a transient ischemic attack (TIA). While there are no specific treatments for numbing facial muscles, there are exercises that can help relieve facial tension and, in some cases, reduce the numbness associated with it.
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What You'll Learn
Facial numbness and Bell's palsy
Numbness in the face is not a condition in itself but a symptom of something else. Facial numbness can be caused by several underlying factors, including multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory condition that affects the nerves. Numbness is one of the first and most common signs of MS. It can also be caused by a brain aneurysm, which can press on the nerves and lead to numbness on one side of the face.
Facial numbness is also a symptom of Bell's palsy, a condition that causes temporary facial paralysis, usually on one side of the face. Bell's palsy happens when there is inflammation and swelling of the seventh cranial nerve, which controls facial muscles. The condition can affect anyone at any age but is most likely to affect people between 15 and 60 years of age. The average age of onset is 40 years old.
The symptoms of Bell's palsy tend to come on suddenly and reach peak severity within 48 to 72 hours. Some people with Bell's palsy experience mild facial muscle weakness, while others experience total muscle paralysis. Wrinkling the forehead, blinking, and grimacing may become difficult or impossible on the affected side. The face may feel numb or heavy, but sensation remains intact, and one can still feel touch and temperature.
Bell's palsy is not a serious condition, and most cases resolve on their own within a few weeks to three months. However, it is important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible, as the symptoms of Bell's palsy can be similar to those of more severe conditions, such as a stroke. While there is no way to stop Bell's palsy from developing once it begins, surgery can help restore motion and expression to the face.
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Facial tension and stress
Experiencing stress for a long period can cause your facial muscles to remain contracted or partially contracted, leading to facial tension and discomfort. This tension is a natural response to emotional or physical stress. When faced with severe stress, your body releases hormones that activate your sympathetic nervous system, causing your muscles to contract in preparation for a fight or flight situation.
Facial tension is often associated with several symptoms, including a tingling sensation, reddening of the skin, and headaches. Facial tingling is a common symptom of anxiety, which can be a somatic response to chronic generalized anxiety. It can also occur during panic attacks. The fear of others noticing that your face is red or that you look different can heighten anxiety and tension.
Stress-induced facial tension can lead to chronic facial pain, negatively impacting your daily life and contributing to symptoms of depression or anxiety. If left untreated, chronic facial tension can be a sign of another underlying issue. Therefore, it is crucial to address this issue with a medical professional, such as a psychiatrist, who can help manage stress and identify the root cause of your pain.
To alleviate facial tension, you can try various relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, yoga, and other forms of exercise. Biofeedback training, which involves monitoring muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure, can help you learn to control these body responses. Additionally, facial exercises can be beneficial in reducing facial tension.
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Migraines and headaches
Migraines are severe headaches that can last from a few hours to several days. They are often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, and sensitivity to light, noises, and odors. Some people also experience facial numbness during a migraine attack, which can be distressing and impact one's daily life.
Facial numbness during a migraine is typically characterized by a loss of sensation in one or both sides of the face. It is often accompanied by other migraine symptoms, such as headache pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. This numbness is usually temporary and resolves after the migraine episode passes. However, if facial numbness persists or significantly affects your daily life, it is important to consult a healthcare professional.
There are several methods to cope with migraine attacks and associated facial numbness. Tracking migraine attacks and symptoms is recommended by neurologists as it helps with correct diagnosis and treatment. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, can also help manage migraine attacks and reduce the occurrence of facial numbness. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule and getting sufficient rest is another important aspect of migraine management.
In terms of medical treatment, there are medications that can specifically target migraine attacks and associated symptoms. These include triptans, which constrict blood vessels and reduce inflammation, anti-nausea medications, and preventive medications for chronic migraine attacks, such as beta-blockers or anticonvulsants. Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture or massage, may also offer additional support in managing migraines and reducing facial numbness.
It is important to note that if you are experiencing new or more frequent symptoms, including facial numbness, or if you are having frequent or severe migraine episodes, you should speak to a doctor. They can help determine the best course of treatment for your specific needs.
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Tumours and aneurysms
Numbness in the face is not a condition but a symptom of something else. It usually occurs when nerves get damaged, pinched, or irritated. Facial numbness can be caused by several underlying factors, including tumours and aneurysms.
Tumours
Facial nerve tumours are very rare and often misdiagnosed. They can develop on the facial nerve, and if left untreated, they can enlarge and cause considerable problems. The most common types of tumours or growths forming on the facial nerve are schwannomas and haemangiomas. Facial nerve schwannomas are made of Schwann cells, which form part of the insulating sheath around the nerve, while facial nerve haemangiomas are made of blood vessels. Facial nerve tumours are almost always benign and non-cancerous. However, there is a very low possibility of a metastatic deposit of another malignant tumour along the facial nerve.
The diagnosis of a facial nerve tumour often occurs following a workup of symptoms, including facial weakness or paralysis, hearing loss, balance issues, and pain. Imaging with a CT scan and/or MRI is often used, and in some cases, a biopsy may be needed. Treatment options depend on the tumour's type, location, size, and severity of facial nerve weakness. Surgery, stereotactic radiation, and observation are possible treatments. In cases where the tumour has caused significant facial weakness, facial nerve transposition or reanimation may be performed to restore some function.
Aneurysms
An aneurysm occurs when part of an artery wall weakens and bulges outward. As the aneurysm grows, the artery wall thins, increasing the risk of rupture. Carotid artery aneurysms affect the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain and can lead to a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or mini-stroke, or an ischemic stroke if the aneurysm ruptures. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of carotid artery aneurysms, which usually affect people in their 50s or 60s.
Facial numbness can be a symptom of a brain aneurysm. As the aneurysm grows, it can press on brain tissues and nerves, leading to numbness on one side of the face, pain in one eye, or double vision. If a brain aneurysm leaks or bursts, it can cause bleeding in the brain, resulting in a severe headache that requires emergency treatment.
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Shingles and viral infections
Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It can occur anywhere on the body but typically appears on one side of the face or torso. It is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone has had chickenpox, the virus stays in their body for life, and years later, it may reactivate as shingles. Shingles is characterised by a painful rash or small blisters on an area of skin, usually on one side of the face or body. It can cause skin sensitivity, tingling, itching, or pain, followed by a rash that looks like small, red spots that turn into blisters. The rash can become infected with bacteria, leading to severe complications such as tissue death and scarring.
Shingles on the face can affect the eye and cause vision loss. This is known as ophthalmic shingles, and it can cause painful eye infections that may result in permanent eye damage or blindness. Shingles may also cause inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), facial paralysis, or problems with hearing or balance. The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), which is continuous, chronic pain that lasts even after the skin sores have healed. The pain may be severe in the area where the blisters were present, and the affected skin may be very sensitive to heat and cold. About 10% to 18% of people who have shingles experience PHN, and the risk increases with age.
Bell's palsy is another condition that can cause facial paralysis or numbness on one side of the face. It is caused by inflammation and swelling of the seventh cranial nerve, which controls the facial muscles. Bell's palsy is usually caused by the herpes virus and can affect anyone at any age, but it is most common in people between 15 and 60 years old. The symptoms of Bell's palsy tend to come on suddenly and reach peak severity within 48 to 72 hours. Some people develop mild facial muscle weakness, while others experience total muscle paralysis in their face, making it difficult to make full expressions.
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Frequently asked questions
Facial numbness can be caused by several factors, including nerve damage, pinched nerves, irritated nerves, or a dysfunction of the facial nerve. It can also be caused by medical conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Bell's palsy, or a stroke.
Bell's palsy is a condition that typically causes numbness and temporary paralysis on one side of the face. Other symptoms include blurred or double vision, loss of taste, ringing in the ears, and facial or ear pain.
Treatment for facial numbness depends on the underlying cause. In the case of Bell's palsy, steroid drugs are often used to treat flare-ups and slow down progression. For migraines, triptans and steroid medication injections may be prescribed for the pain. If facial numbness is caused by stress or anxiety, facial exercises and relaxation techniques can help to reduce tension in the facial muscles.
If facial numbness is accompanied by other symptoms such as double vision, difficulty speaking or eating, or a severe headache, seek immediate medical attention as it could be a sign of a more serious condition such as a stroke or Bell's palsy.
