Facial numbness

Loss of sensitivity, tingling, burning, sometimes a nagging unpleasant pain - these unpleasant sensations can occur in any part of the body and are called numbness. Perhaps, the most unpleasant is numbness of the face.

Causes facial numbness

Facial numbness is not always associated with a disease. Sometimes the feeling of numbness appears during sleep on an incorrectly selected pillow or in an uncomfortable resting position. In such cases, the loss of sensitivity is temporary and goes away on its own in a short time.

In other situations, numbness is more often associated with diseases of the nerves or blood vessels, or with other pathologies. Briefly, the following probable causes can be identified:

• facial paralysis (facial nerve neuropathy) – damage to the facial nerve as a result of hypothermia, infection or vascular spasm;
• multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the nervous system, in which the sheath of nerve fibers is destroyed;
• trigeminal neuritis is a nerve lesion caused by pressure on it by a tumor process, edema, adhesions and other factors;
• hemorrhage or thrombosis of cerebral vessels;
• pinched nerve endings;
• stressful situations, depressive states.

Loss of sensitivity may be associated with vitamin deficiency, deficiency of certain microelements in the body (sodium, potassium), or taking certain groups of medications. Often the face goes numb with a headache associated with migraine.

The pathogenesis of transient facial numbness is often explained by the presence of atherosclerosis, hypertension, or osteochondrosis. The face loses sensitivity due to circulatory disorders in the internal carotid artery. In this case, the side of the face from which the blood flow is impaired usually goes numb. In addition to numbness, the condition can be aggravated by swallowing, speech, and vision disorders. If sensitivity disappears for more than one day, then persistent cerebrovascular accident can be suspected. In such a situation, urgent medical attention is required.

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Epidemiology

Since facial numbness is only a symptom that can be associated with many diseases, its epidemiology is not determined. Numbness is often a sign of both common and rare pathologies, so it is almost impossible to estimate the frequency of this condition.

If we consider numbness as a symptom of a stroke, we can say that per 100,000 people in the world, there may be up to 300 cases of loss of facial sensitivity per year. In our country, about 200 thousand patients with cerebrovascular accidents are recorded annually. Most of them complain of decreased sensitivity of part or half of the face and head.

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Symptoms

The first signs of facial numbness are expressed in an unpleasant tingling sensation. The skin feels like "crawling ants". If you touch the affected area of the face with your hand, you will notice a loss or weakening of sensitivity.

This condition may be accompanied by facial swelling, itching, and muscle weakness.

The further appearance of symptoms depends on the degree of damage to the nerves or blood vessels.

• Numbness of part of the face can be observed with neuritis, which often occurs after hypothermia or infectious diseases. In addition to numbness, facial asymmetry, disappearance of folds on the forehead, widening of the eye slit, and lacrimation can be observed.
• Numbness of half the face is often a sign of a stroke - an acute cerebrovascular accident. In a stroke, the loss of sensitivity is always one-sided, and not only half of the face goes numb, but also the limbs on the affected side. In addition to numbness, the patient complains of changes in visual function, difficulties with speech and motor coordination.
• Numbness on the left side of the face is often associated with migraine - a paroxysmal headache caused by vascular spasms. Headaches during migraine are severe, sometimes with nausea and vomiting, dizziness and a feeling of pressure in the temples.
• Numbness of the right side of the face and tongue may indicate the development of cervical osteochondrosis, multiple sclerosis or a tumor process in the brain. Often one side of the face goes numb in people who abuse nicotine or steroid hormones. Such numbness may be accompanied by pain in the cervical spine, a feeling of "goosebumps" in the cheek area on the right side.
• Numbness of the neck and face is also a common sign of cervical osteochondrosis. Additional symptoms may include pressing or squeezing pain in the neck, temples, dizziness, and decreased visual acuity.
• Headache and facial numbness may accompany increased intracranial pressure. ICP may be suspected if other signs are present:
  • double vision and deterioration of vision;
  • noise in the head;
  • swelling of the face;
  • fatigue, nausea;
  • irritability, fatigue;
  • the appearance of bags or bruises around the eyes.
• Numbness and swelling of the face can be a consequence of both trivial and serious reasons:
  • heart problems;
  • avitaminosis, strict diets, nutritional disorders;
  • sleep disorders;
  • chronic fatigue;
  • allergies;
  • a large meal before bed.

In addition, one may suspect an increase in intracranial pressure, which can only be confirmed by a doctor.

• Numbness of the eye and face is often a consequence of a head injury. In such a situation, you should also pay attention to other indirect signs of injury:
  • bleeding from the nose or ears;
  • disturbances of consciousness, dizziness;
  • nausea;
  • dark circles under the eyes;
  • convulsions, difficulty breathing.

If you are injured, you should definitely see a doctor to rule out the possibility of serious damage.

• Numbness of the arm and face occurs during acute stroke or transient ischemic attacks (microstrokes), which are equally characterized by movement disorders in the limb on one side, speech and vision disorders, drowsiness, and impaired consciousness. In addition, dizziness, nausea, and coordination disorders may occur.
• Bilateral facial numbness most often indicates damage to the nerves responsible for pain, thermal and tactile sensitivity. In most cases, the trigeminal nerve is either damaged in the cerebellopontine triangle or is compressed by tumor processes at the base of the skull. In this case, complete numbness occurs, with a loss of reaction to temperature, pain and tactile stimuli. If only one type of sensitivity is impaired, then we can only talk about distal damage, about possible diseases of the brainstem.

Numbness of the face with cervical osteochondrosis

Cervical osteochondrosis is considered one of the most common causes of facial numbness. Decreased sensitivity and discomfort in this case are the result of prolonged pressure on the vessels and nerve endings passing near the affected section of the spinal column.

Numbness of the face with cervical osteochondrosis is usually accompanied by such symptoms as aching pain in the neck, head, as well as a characteristic crunch when trying to move the head. Less common are dizziness, tinnitus, a feeling of congestion in the ear, and deterioration of vision.

The disease is most often found in young and middle-aged people, approximately 20 to 40 years old.

Facial numbness after tooth extraction

When a tooth is removed, the gum tissue is always damaged to a greater or lesser extent. Therefore, complications after removal are not uncommon, including loss of sensitivity in a certain part of the face.

Numbness can affect the tongue, lips, cheeks, and partially the lower jaw and neck. Most often, this occurs after the removal of the lower teeth - the so-called "seven" or "eight". Numbness is associated with the fact that the fibers of the trigeminal nerve pass in close proximity to the listed teeth, which can be affected at the time of tooth extraction. In this case, the change in sensitivity is usually temporary. Recovery occurs within 2-3 days to a week, sometimes up to six months.

Less often, numbness may be the result of local anesthetic administration. Normally, anesthesia should wear off in a few hours. But it also happens that, as a result of edema or local circulatory disorders, sensitivity is restored only on the 2nd or 3rd day.

Numbness of the face with VSD

Vegetative-vascular dystonia is considered a multi-symptom disease, but among the numerous manifestations of VVD, facial numbness does not occur in all patients. Much more often, symptoms such as fatigue, sleep disturbances, decreased performance, shortness of breath, fainting, unstable stool, and a tendency to edema are observed. Patients often note decreased sensitivity in the extremities, especially with prolonged sitting or lying down. At night, cramps, leg pain, and heart rhythm disturbances may occur.

Numbness of the face is not a characteristic sign of vegetative-vascular dystonia, but this symptom can be observed in people with impaired (slow) blood circulation, metabolic disorders, low blood pressure, which often occurs with VSD.

Numbness after facial injury

Numbness may also occur after a facial or head injury, especially if the injury was accompanied by the following conditions:

• dissection, damage to the integrity of the skin;
• swelling, extensive hematoma.

In the above conditions, the trigeminal nerve branch may be damaged or compressed by swelling or hematoma. In the second case, numbness will disappear on its own along with the swelling compressing the tissue.

In case of mechanical damage to the nerve branch, recovery can take much longer. It can take months, and in some cases, with extensive and deep injuries, numbness of part of the face remains forever.

Specialists such as a neurosurgeon, maxillofacial surgeon, and neurologist can help with this issue.

Facial numbness due to high blood pressure

High blood pressure can have a damaging effect on the vascular wall of veins and arteries, as well as directly on organs - the heart, kidneys. For this reason, strokes and heart attacks can become negative consequences of high blood pressure.

Sometimes facial numbness is one of the first signs of the onset of hypertension complications. Other symptoms may gradually appear:

• decreased sensitivity of the extremities;
• weakening of vision;
• clouding of consciousness, deterioration of speech function;
• dizziness;
• increasing nausea;
• headaches (usually sharp and severe).

Numbness most often occurs with a stroke. A heart attack can be accompanied by loss of facial sensitivity only in isolated cases.

Numbness of the face in neurosis

One of the reasons for partial numbness of the face can be neurosis, severe emotional stress, prolonged depression. Psychological traumas in this case act as a kind of irritants that lead to endocrine-humoral disorders and disorders of the autonomic nervous system.

Numbness often occurs at peak moments: when frightened, in a state of psychomotor agitation. Such temporary loss of sensitivity may be accompanied by tremors, a state of numbness. The consequences may be various phobias, speech disorders (for example, stuttering), disorders of the digestive and urinary systems.

Numbness during neurosis is usually short-lived and goes away on its own after the general condition improves.

Numbness of the face with sinusitis

Sinusitis is a disease of the maxillary sinuses caused by an inflammatory process. Sinusitis usually manifests itself with symptoms such as swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal sinuses, the appearance of mucopurulent discharge, difficulty in nasal breathing, and an increase in body temperature.

As a complication of sinusitis, inflammation can spread to the branch of the trigeminal nerve, which causes partial numbness of the face, forehead, nostrils. In addition to the trigeminal, the facial nerve can also suffer.

To eliminate numbness, you should definitely consult an otolaryngologist and undergo a course of anti-inflammatory treatment. After normalization of the condition, facial sensitivity is usually restored.

Facial Numbness in Multiple Sclerosis

Numbness of the body, limbs and face is one of the initial symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Sensitivity is lost abruptly, in a short time, without any specific reason, and does not recover for a long time.

In addition to loss of sensitivity, patients notice a general increasing weakness, impaired motor coordination, trembling in the limbs, slurred speech, and difficulty swallowing food.

Any of the listed symptoms, including facial numbness, often completely disappear at the end of the acute period of multiple sclerosis. However, it is also possible that the symptoms will remain forever, and will even gradually increase, regardless of the treatment. The main role in the speedy recovery of the body is played by the individual characteristics and internal reserves of the patient, as well as the degree of damage by the disease.

Facial numbness in polyneuropathy

Numbness in polyneuropathy occurs evenly: if it is the hands, then both, if the face, then both sides. Simultaneously with numbness, the motor ability of the muscles weakens.

Numbness, as a sign of polyneuropathy, may occur after a viral infectious disease, after acute intoxication (poisoning). A distinction is also made between diabetic and alcoholic polyneuropathy, which is a consequence of diabetes mellitus and alcohol abuse, respectively.

Numbness of the face with polyneuropathy is less common than loss of sensitivity in the legs (in the ankle joints). In some cases, simultaneous numbness of the face, limbs, tongue is observed, depending on the degree and depth of the pathology.

Facial Numbness During Pregnancy

Facial numbness in pregnant women is relatively common. It can be due to many reasons, such as:

• exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine, osteoporosis;
• acute deficiency of vitamins and microelements (calcium, magnesium, potassium);
• iron deficiency anemia;
• hypotension, slow blood flow;
• metabolic disorder;
• sudden increase in body weight;
• a sharp decrease in physical activity.

To avoid numbness, a woman “in position” should eat properly (not starve or overeat), do special physical exercises for pregnant women, and regularly have a blood test to determine the level of hemoglobin.

Diagnostics facial numbness

At the first signs of facial numbness, you should immediately contact a doctor. In order to make a correct diagnosis, the doctor will recommend the patient to undergo some diagnostic procedures.

• Tests that will help to correctly determine the cause of facial numbness:
  • biochemical blood test (determination of iron deficiency or pernicious anemia);
  • lipidogram, determination of cholesterol levels in the blood;
  • coagulogram (assessment of the blood coagulation system);
  • general blood and urine analysis;
  • Antiphospholipid antibody test (diagnosis of autoimmune disease).
• Instrumental diagnostics used to clarify the diagnosis:
  • X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging will help to identify abnormalities in the skeletal system of the skull and spine that could lead to damage or compression of blood vessels or nerves;
  • the electroneuromyography method allows us to determine the localization of affected nerve fibers and also to detect neuropathy;
  • The ultrasound Doppler scanning method determines vascular disorders and changes in the carotid and vertebrobasilar arteries.

Other types of examinations may be prescribed on an individual basis. For example, in case of numbness, people often seek advice from a surgeon, neurologist, traumatologist, vertebrologist, etc. In case of systemic diseases, the number of examinations increases significantly.

Differential diagnostics are carried out with all possible causes of facial numbness. These are strokes, dental problems, infectious diseases, vascular and neurological diseases, etc.

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Treatment facial numbness

To eliminate facial numbness, medication is prescribed first, which is selected depending on the diagnostic results. Various groups of medications can be used.

• Medicines that dilate the vascular lumen can simultaneously relieve spasms and increase blood circulation:

	Directions for use	Side effects	Special instructions
Trental	Typically take 2 to 4 tablets three times a day after meals.	Rarely, indigestion, facial flushing, and headache may occur.	Do not use in hemorrhagic stroke.
Berlition	Take 2 tablets or capsules once a day, half an hour before breakfast.	During treatment, nausea, bowel disorders, increased sweating, and allergies may occur.	The drug is particularly effective for the treatment of facial numbness associated with diabetic or alcoholic polyneuropathy.

• Anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate signs of the inflammatory process can also relieve swelling and promote the resorption of infiltrates:

	Directions for use	Side effects	Special instructions
Indomethacin	The drug is prescribed for internal use, after meals, 25 mg up to 3 times a day.	When taking the drug, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and abdominal pain may occur.	Indomethacin should not be taken in case of ulcerative and inflammatory processes in the digestive system.
Meloxicam	Taken orally once a day, with food. Average dosage is 7.5-15 mg per day.	Possible stomach upset, anemia, skin rashes, dizziness.	The drug is not prescribed for peptic ulcers, as well as for pregnant and lactating women.

• Chondroprotective drugs help restore cartilage and joints, which is especially important if facial numbness is caused by osteochondrosis of the cervical spine:

	Directions for use	Side effects	Special instructions
Glucosamine	The tablets are prescribed 1 piece three times a day with food.	Nausea, bowel disorders, headaches, and allergies in the form of skin rashes may occur.	Usually the effect appears no earlier than 2 weeks after the start of treatment with the drug.
Rumalon	Prescribed as intramuscular injections, starting with a dosage of 0.3 ml per day, gradually increasing the dose. Duration of treatment is from 15 to 25 injections, depending on the amount of the drug administered per day.	Sometimes during treatment the patient's condition may worsen. This happens after about the sixth injection. Then the condition normalizes and improves without any additional correction.	Improvement occurs no earlier than 2-3 weeks after the start of the course of therapy.

• Means that improve cerebral circulation help eliminate facial numbness associated with impaired blood supply to the brain:

	Directions for use	Side effects	Special instructions
Piracetam	Prescribed orally at 400-800 mg three times a day. Duration of administration is from 6 to 8 weeks.	A transient state of excitement, anxiety, insomnia, headaches are possible.	In severe cases, the drug may be administered by injection.
Cavinton	The drug is taken orally, after meals, 5-10 mg three times a day.	Tachycardia, blood pressure fluctuations, and sleep disorders may be observed.	During treatment, it is necessary to monitor the heart's function using an ECG.

Facial numbness can be eliminated by taking a course of treatment with certain medications. But these medications must be prescribed by a doctor based on the results of diagnostics. Self-medication with medications is unacceptable, as it can cause irreparable harm to health.

Vitamins

If facial numbness is associated with a vitamin deficiency in the body, the doctor will prescribe additional multivitamin preparations to compensate for the deficiency. B vitamins are the basis of restorative treatment for loss of sensitivity, so they must be taken regularly, according to the scheme drawn up by the doctor.

• Thiamine (B1) is a vitamin responsible for the normal functioning of the nervous system and nerve conduction. Thiamine is found in fish and meat dishes, eggs, oatmeal, beans, and nuts.
• Riboflavin (B2) is a vitamin that prevents headaches and regulates the effects of increased stress on the nervous system. Riboflavin can be obtained from fermented milk products and meat.
• Nicotinic acid (B3) is a vitamin that eliminates chronic fatigue and improves mental processes. Nicotinic acid is present in large quantities in various types of nuts, buckwheat, and liver.
• Pantothenic acid (B5) is a vitamin that helps the smooth transmission of nerve impulses. Pantothenic acid can be found in all types of cabbage and dairy products.
• Pyridoxine (B6) is a vitamin responsible for the normal functioning of the entire nervous system. It is found in cereals, bananas, and beans.
• Folic acid (B9) is a vitamin that regulates nervous excitability. Nuts, fruits, cereals, and vegetables contain enough folic acid.
• Cyanocobalamin (B12) is a vitamin that is responsible for normal sleep and thinking. Cyanocobalamin is found in seafood, milk, and chicken meat.

Physiotherapy treatment

Modern medicine actively uses physiotherapy to eliminate numbness of various etiologies, which improves the effectiveness of medications and accelerates recovery. The following procedures are successfully used for facial numbness:

• acupuncture is an acupuncture method that affects certain biologically active points on the body;
• acupressure – a method of point massage;
• Ultraphonophoresis – the use of ultrasonic vibrations to improve tissue blood supply.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe electrophoresis with vitamins, galvanic mud applications, and exercise therapy.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is prescribed by a doctor in combination with traditional treatment of the causes of facial numbness. If numbness is caused by osteochondrosis, then Traumeel C may be prescribed. It is prescribed as follows:

• for intramuscular injection - 1 ampoule per day;
• in tablets - 1 piece three times a day, under the tongue.

In case of cerebrovascular disorders, homeopathic remedies Gvako 6 and Rustox 6 will help.

In the presence of tumor processes in the brain, you can resort to taking Banerji Protocols.

For vascular disorders, the drug Gelsemium (Virginia jasmine) is often used. Gelsemium is used in small dilutions, the dosage is calculated and prescribed by a doctor.

If numbness is caused by psychosomatic disorders, neuroses, then in such cases the drug Nervoheel is indicated. The drug is taken under the tongue, one hour after eating. The maximum single dosage is no more than one tablet. The general treatment regimen and frequency of administration are prescribed by the doctor individually.

Today, homeopathic medicines are considered the safest, as they practically do not cause side effects. Rarely, an allergic reaction to individual components of any of the products may develop. There are no contraindications to taking homeopathic medicines.

Surgical treatment

Surgical treatment may be prescribed if facial numbness is the result of a complete rupture of the nerve fiber, for example, after an injury. The operation can be effective if it is performed in a timely manner, in the first months after the onset of numbness. If this is not done, the muscles may atrophy, and the nerve innervation will no longer be restored.

The nerve repair surgery is quite complex, but it leaves only a small scar behind the ear. The effects of numbness become almost unnoticeable.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies for facial numbness should only be used as an adjunctive therapy approved by your doctor.

If the loss of sensitivity is caused by vascular disorders, then the following remedy can be used:

• ½ kg of parsley rhizome, the same amount of celery rhizome, one lemon with peel are chopped in a meat grinder;
• the mass is mixed with 150 g of honey;
• the medicine is stored in the refrigerator;
• You should consume 4 teaspoons of the mixture per day in the morning before breakfast.

Contrast compresses are very helpful for numbness. For the procedure, prepare two bowls with hot and cold water. Dip a terry towel into each bowl. Apply the hot and cold towels to your face in turns. Repeat this up to 10 times. After the procedure, lubricate your face with nourishing cream. For the best effect, you will need about 15 of these procedures, which should be performed daily, at night.

A honey mask also has a good effect. To prepare it, prepare a mixture of 4 spoons of honey and 4 spoons of warm water. Apply the mixture to the face for about 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

It is useful to wipe the face with a medicine based on wild rosemary. Dry crushed plant in the amount of 10 g is mixed with 30 ml of apple cider vinegar. Infuse for 1 week, after which use for rubbing the affected areas 3 times a day.

Herbal treatment deserves special attention when treating facial numbness. Most often, alcohol tinctures, infusions and decoctions of herbs are prepared to alleviate the condition:

• sweet clover;
• horse chestnut;
• willow bark;
• birch leaves.

The listed plant components increase blood flow and promote vasodilation, which directly affects the restoration of damaged nerves and tissues.

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Complications and consequences

The doctor determines how dangerous facial numbness is. Everything depends on the specific cause of the loss of sensitivity. In most cases, numbness goes away on its own. However, if this condition arose due to another serious pathology, then the likelihood of negative consequences increases significantly.

Numbness can be a consequence of cerebral circulation disorders, vascular pathologies, nerve diseases. Sometimes severe diseases lead to disability and even death. But it is impossible to draw conclusions about possible complications without knowing the true cause of numbness.

This is why great importance is attached to diagnostic procedures, the purpose of which is to accurately determine the cause of the facial sensitivity disorder.

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Prevention

Prevention of facial numbness may include timely treatment of heart and vascular diseases, annual diagnostics of cerebral vessels, regular monitoring of cholesterol levels and coagulation parameters.

The health of blood vessels and the nervous system can be strengthened by following these tips:

• it is necessary to protect the nervous system from stressful loads and avoid conflict situations;
• It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat a high-quality and balanced diet, move more and walk in the fresh air;
• one should pay sufficient attention not only to work, but also to rest;
• night sleep should not be less than 7-8 hours;
• It is necessary to regularly monitor blood pressure levels and seek medical help in a timely manner.

If you devote enough time to your health, your blood vessels and nervous system will perform their functions correctly, and your body will work smoothly, without failures.

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Forecast

The prognosis for facial numbness depends on the specific causes that led to the loss of sensitivity, as well as the degree of development of the damaging factor. In most cases, if a person noticed numbness at an early stage and sought medical help, the prognosis can be called favorable.

It is imperative to consult a doctor in the following situations:

• if facial numbness is combined with pain and a general feeling of weakness in the body;
• if sensitivity is lost not only in the face area, but also in the limbs;
• if the facial numbness is complete, when the skin does not react not only to touch, but also to temperature stimuli;
• if vision deteriorates along with loss of sensitivity;
• if numbness is combined with mental disorders.

Facial numbness is an uncomfortable and unpleasant condition that accompanies various diseases. If you take preventive measures and carefully monitor your health, then numbness can not only be cured, but also prevent possible negative consequences.

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