Why Do I Feel Tingling in My Face?
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DOMedically reviewed by Michael Menna, DOThe sensation of face tingling, known as paresthesia, can happen due to a wide variety of reasons.You may experience numbness, tingling, burning, prickling, or a pins-and-needles sensation in the face due to the temporary effects of anxiety, migraines, or certain medications. Face tingling may also indicate an underlying medical condition, such as Bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), or shingles. This article will go over some of the most common causes of face tingling, as well as treatment options and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Common Causes of Face TinglingThere are many causes of face tingling. Often, numbness and tingling in your face is due to nerve damage or neurological problems, as well as problems with blood flow to the face and neck. It can also be due to anxiety, allergies, migraines, skin problems, or the side effects of certain medications. Let’s go over some of the most common causes of face tingling, prickling, and/or numbness.MedicationsFace tingling and numbness can be a side effect of certain medications due to temporary nerve pain. Some examples include:Blood pressure medications, such as Apresoline (hydralazine)Chemotherapy drugs, such as cisplatinDrugs for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS, such as Videx (didanosine)Anti-seizure medications, such as Dilantin (phenytoin)Antimalarials, such as chloroquineAnxietyBoth chronic anxiety and short-term panic can cause facial tingling, numbness, and pain. This may be due to a stiff jaw and/or neck because of prolonged muscle tension, which is associated with stress. Particularly if you’re in a state of panic, you may experience tingling in your face alongside dizziness because of a temporary lack of oxygen and blood flow.Allergic ReactionSome people experience face tingling as the result of an allergic reaction. In many cases, this feels like itching or burning around the mouth or lips, especially if you ate something you’re allergic to. Other signs of an allergic reaction may include:HivesSwellingRash Itchy, watery eyesNasal stuffinessCoughWheezingFacial flushingDizzinessStomach painHemiplegic MigraineHemiplegic migraine, an especially rare kind of migraine, causes weakness and/or numbness on only one half of your body and can affect the face. Many people also experience tingling on the affected side of the body. Other symptoms of hemiplegic migraine include:HeadacheDifficulty speakingVision changesConfusionLoss of consciousnessFeverNauseaVomitingLight sensitivitySound sensitivityNerve DamageTingling anywhere on the body is often a result of nerve damage, such as a compressed or pinched cranial nerve. For example, a head, neck, or back injury that affects nerve function could also have an impact on circulation. If blood flow to your face is restricted, you might experience the telltale pins-and-needles sensation.ShinglesShingles, or herpes zoster virus, is a condition caused by a reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus, which also causes chicken pox. It causes a skin rash on one side of the body and/or face. The rash is usually painful and itchy.Some people experience a shingles complication known as postherpetic neuralgia, which involves extreme nerve pain in the area of the original rash. People describe this pain as burning or tingling.Bell's PalsyBell’s palsy is a neurological condition that leads to drooping, weakness, and/or paralysis on just one side of the face. It’s caused by inflammation of the facial nerve called cranial nerve 7. It can happen due to infections, myelin sheath damage (a type of nerve damage), autoimmune disorders, or Lyme disease. People with Bell’s palsy may have trouble closing one eye, in addition to their eyebrow and mouth going slack on the affected side. Many people with the disorder also experience atypical sensations on the paralyzed side of their face, including tingling and pain.Multiple SclerosisMultiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that involves damage to the myelin sheath surrounding the nerve fibers that carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Facial numbness often is the first sign of MS. It may feel like our face is “asleep." You may also experience diminished sensation and/or in your limbs and trunk. Other early MS symptoms may include:Vision changesWeaknessDizzinessProblems with balanceStroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)A stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency caused by blood flow to the brain being temporarily cut off. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a brief cutoff of blood flow to the brain that doesn’t involve tissue death within the brain. Both strokes and TIAs can lead to symptoms like:Coordination problemsMuscle weaknessLight-headednessLoss of balanceNumbness or tingling on one side of the body and/or faceSensory changesChanges in consciousnessDifficulty swallowingConfusionTrigeminal NeuralgiaTrigeminal neuralgia, or tic douloureux, is a disorder that causes sudden attacks of severe facial pain due to problems with the trigeminal nerve (the fifth cranial nerve). Many people experience face tingling, burning, or aching sensations.Epilepsy and SeizuresSome people with seizure disorders, such as epilepsy, experience facial tingling as a warning sign of a seizure or during a seizure itself.This is especially true of focal seizures, which originate in only one part of your brain. People with focal seizures have a wide range of atypical sensory, motor, and psychological experiences, which may include twitching and jerking as well as sensations like tingling and numbness.FibromyalgiaFibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition that involves fatigue and insomnia as well as ongoing tenderness in many parts of the body. Many people with fibromyalgia also experience nerve pain and tingling in the limbs and/or face. Other symptoms of fibromyalgia are:Muscle and joint pain and stiffnessBrain fogLight sensitivityBloatingOther CausesThere are many other possible causes for facial tingling and numbness, including:Colds and sinus infectionsStressHead injuryExposure to cold airPrevious facial surgeriesRadiation therapyFatigueTemporomandibular disorders (TMD/TMJ)Electrolyte imbalancesVitamin deficienciesHow Is Tingling in the Face Diagnosed?The diagnostic process may be extensive because tingling in the face has so many possible triggers. Your healthcare provider may ask you about your symptoms and how often you experience them, as well as your medical and family history. They will also perform a thorough physical and neurological examination. To make a diagnosis, they may need to perform a variety of blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC) and tests to assess your level of inflammation. Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans, and/or X-rays, may help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis.When to Contact a Healthcare ProviderReach out to a healthcare provider if you are not sure why your face is tingling, especially if it happens repeatedly. They can help you rule out any potential causes and make a diagnosis. In some cases, face tingling may be a sign of a medical emergency such as a stroke, especially if it occurs alongside other troubling symptoms. Go to the hospital or call 911 if you experience any of the following:Muscle weaknessLoss of consciousnessDisorientationVision changesLoss of bowel or bladder functionLack of control over bodily movementsDifficulty speaking clearlyDifficulty walkingProblems with balance and coordinationDrooping on one side of the faceTreatment and ManagementThe type of treatment you’ll need to relieve your face tingling and related symptoms will depend on the underlying cause. Once you get a diagnosis, it’s important to work with your healthcare provider to develop an individualized treatment plan based on your needs, including your current diagnosis and medical history. For example, treatment for Bell’s palsy typically includes a short course of oral steroids and/or antiviral medications. Corticosteroids are one of the available treatment options for MS flare-ups as well. Meanwhile, people whose facial tingling is related to epilepsy may be prescribed anticonvulsant medications to prevent seizures and other symptoms. Nerve pain medications may also help.Can You Prevent Face Tingling?There’s not a clear way to prevent facial tingling and numbness, because it can have so many causes. Seek advice from a healthcare provider about your individual treatment plan and preventative steps. If you have a chronic condition, such as MS, follow your healthcare team’s instructions and take all medications as prescribed. If you think one of your medications may be causing facial numbness, talk to your provider before making any changes. Because face tingling can sometimes be caused by stress, you may be able to prevent it with stress-management techniques. Examples include: Prioritizing sleepLimiting caffeine intakePracticing deep breathing exercises and relaxation and mindfulness techniquesExercising regularlyJoining a peer support groupSpending quality time with family and friendsQuitting smokingLowering alcohol intakeSummaryFacial tingling is a sensation that is known as paresthesia, which may also involve numbness, stinging, and/or prickling. Some of the common causes of face tingling are certain medications, allergies, anxiety, migraines, nerve damage, Bell’s palsy, shingles, multiple sclerosis, stroke, trigeminal neuralgia, epilepsy, and fibromyalgia. If you experience a tingling sensation, it’s important to speak to a healthcare provider and undergo a thorough medical evaluation. The sensation may be related to an underlying health condition. They can help you formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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