Numbness in Face

Sometimes when we touch our face we feel no sensation or we feel some unusual distortion with our facial skin, including the lips. This condition is known as numbness in face, that can occur due to small things, like a minor facial injury or sleeping in an odd position. But excessive and frequent facial numbness can be an indication of a severe medical condition. Facial numbness also includes swelling, redness, and burning sensation as well as loss of muscle control in some cases.

Causes of Numbness in Face

Stroke
Brain damage due to a mild stroke is the common cause for numbness in face. In this condition, the face of a person can be paralyzed, as the brain is not supplied with adequate blood and oxygen. Migraine is also one of the primary cause of numbness in face. Another cause can be a damaged nerve, that blocks the blood flow to facial blood cells resulting in numbness in face and lips. Multiple sclerosis is an auto-immune state of the brain, that affect the nerves which joins the brain and the spinal cord leading to numbness in face.

Injury
Facial injury or any injury to the nervous system can also be the culprit for numbness in face. Nerves can get damaged due to sprain or stress. Numbness in face also occurs when the nerves in the neck and spine get hurt. Spinal nerves can get hurt due to spinal disc dislocation or other spinal cord problems. Traumatic incidents such as a bump on the head or neck, and medical conditions like diabetic neuropathy can damage the nerves that supply blood to the facial muscles. This causes numbness in face and arm as well.

Sleeping Position
Sometimes sleeping in odd positions can also induce the facial nerves to get hurt. This can also occur when you ride a bike or drive a car everyday for long hours or if you read in a same position for a long time. Typing for hours also strains the nerves and this continuous pressure on the same muscle can be the reason for numbness in face and neck.

Drug Abuse
Some drugs are so powerful that they alter the whole functioning of the brain. This brings major changes in neurotransmitters and their functions, that makes it receive or send wrong signals to the blood cells or nerves, which may cause numbness in the entire body, including face.

The above reasons can also be the cause of numbness in face during pregnancy. A little swelling on the face is a common problem during pregnancy, however, if it is unusual and persists for long, it is suggested that you visit your gynecologist as soon as possible.

How to Treat it

When you get a tingling sensation in your face, visit a physician as soon as possible. Based on the symptoms and medical history, the doctor will find causes for the numbness in face, and according to the causes, treatment will be decided. Generally, doctors prescribe tricyclic antidepressants or anti-seizure medications that alters the brain's perception of pain. This may ease the numbness and tingling in the face. If the doctor detects the root cause of the facial numbness as any medical ailment, such as diabetes, peripheral facial palsy, etc., you need be extra cautious. For example if you have diabetes or diabetic neuropathy, you need to control the blood sugar level to avoid numbness in face. Also ask the doctor to examine your current medicines to determine if it causes any side effects.

Sometimes numbness is also caused due to vitamin deficiency. So to avoid numbness in face, follow a healthy and nutritious diet, that will help you keep vitamin deficiency diseases at bay. Physical therapy or an occupational therapist can come to your rescue when you feel numbness in face. They can suggest facial exercises that will release the strain and tension of the facial muscles. They may even prescribe ointment, oil, or cream, and massage techniques, that will help you relieve tingling.

Numbness in face or tingling sensation is the result of damaged sensory nerves and are more than just distressing. Consult your doctor immediately to cure this problem and get back that glowing face and dazzling smile soon.