Tingling in Face

The tingling sensation felt at the level of the face can be general or partial. It can manifest itself in more than one way, affecting either the entire face or only part of it. In many situations, the tingling sensation generates a lot of discomfort and sometimes it is also accompanied by pain. The sensation can be more acute when the face is touched or it can be present at all times, no matter if it’s touched or not. It can also be accompanied by a wide range of other modifications, including numbness sensation, liquid-filled blisters or changes in the color of the skin.

Many patients describe the feeling as if someone stuck pins in their face. Often times, the tingling sensation is connected to nerve problems but this is not the only cause. As a matter of fact, depending on the cause, there might be important variations whereas the duration and the severity of the tingling sensation are concerned. The onset is also different, according to the existent cause. For example, in case of an injury, the patient can experience a sudden onset of the condition. On the other hand, if there is an underlying condition, the tingling sensation can develop gradually. This means that the symptoms are going to progress with the passing of time.

Apart from the symptoms that were already mentioned, the tingling in face sensation can also be accompanied by a burning sensation. The area can be affected by paralysis (nerve damage) or, in case of an injury, it can be red, warm and swollen. The skin in the affected area can be highly sensitive to the tough or characterized by loss of sensation. In more severe cases, the patient might also present neurological symptoms, such as lack of balance, muscle weakness or tingling sensation in other parts of the body.

Causes of Tingling in Face

These are the most common causes that lead to the appearance of the tingling sensation in the face:

• High levels of stress
  • Tingling sensation at the level of the face is caused by the release of adrenaline
• Abnormal levels of anxiety or stress-related emotions
• Nerve problems
  • Pinching or injury to the trigeminal nerve – apart from the tingling, the patient might also present numbness sensation or even paralysis
  • Severity of the symptoms – according to the level of damage done to the nerve
  • Nerve damage can result in car accidents, when neck injuries occur
• Cerebrovascular stroke
  • The face tingling can be a rare symptom of stroke
  • May be accompanied by numbness or even paralysis
  • Other symptoms of stroke can be present: speech becomes blurry, movement impaired
• Exposure to extreme temperatures
  • Those who are sensitive to cold can experience tingling in the face when exposed to such temperatures
• Exposure to harmful chemicals
  • The harmful substances contained by a wide range of chemical products (including household items) can lead to such symptoms
• Vitamin deficiencies
  • Vitamin deficiency (B, magnesium) can be a cause of face tingling, as the lack of vitamins can cause the muscles to contract inefficiently and the nerves to send the wrong signals
• Medication
  • The tingling sensation in the face can appear as an adverse reaction to certain medication
  • Before taking any medication, be sure to read the prescription and discover what side-effects are mentioned
  • Ask your doctor for an alternative medication that does not have this side-effect
• Multiple sclerosis
  • Chronic disorder that includes nerve damage among other modifications
  • Face tingling can be a rare symptom of multiple sclerosis, depending on what nerves have been damaged
  • Other symptoms present may include difficulties in walking and speaking, followed by the tingling sensation present in other parts of the body
• Head injury
  • The tingling sensation can appear as a post-injury complication
  • It represents a sign of nerve damage
• Brain tumor
  • If a brain tumor presses on a nerve related to the territory of the face, then the tingling sensation might be present
• Migraines
  • These powerful headaches are accompanied by a wide range of symptoms, including face tingling, nausea and vertigo
• Shingles
  • This viral infection is quite serious and the lesions often appear on the pathway of a nerve
  • If the facial nerve is affected by shingles, then the tingling sensation in the face might be present, along with sharp pain and other modifications.

Treatment

Often times, it is sufficient for the underlying condition to be treated, in order for the tingling sensation to disappear. These are the most common courses of treatment undertaken for the above mentioned causes:

• For stress, emotion & anxiety
  • Psychological counseling
  • Breathing and relaxation techniques
  • Yoga
  • Medication – antidepressants, mood modulators
  • Stress coping strategies
• Nerve damage
  • Surgery is often chosen as a course of treatment for nerve pinching or entrapment
  • Physical therapy might be recommended during the recovery period, as it will guarantee faster healing and prevent any functional deficits
• Stroke
  • Depending on the severity of the stroke, the patient might be administered oxygen
  • Medication to prevent the brain from swelling is going to administered
  • Administration of intravenous liquids to keep the body hydrated
• In case of exposure to chemicals
  • The face should be thoroughly washed and cleaned with a soft towel
  • The patient is going to be instructed to refrain from touching the affected area
  • A dressing can be applied to the area in order to protect it from infection
• In case of vitamin deficiency
  • Administration of vitamin supplements
  • Intravenous administration is recommended in more severe cases
• Multiple sclerosis
  • Specific medication to slow down the progression of the disease
  • Physical therapy to deal with the physical consequences of the condition
  • Occupational therapy for daily living activities
  • Speech therapy in case of speech impairment
• Head injury
  • Emergency medical intervention – ensure the vital signs are stable
  • Surgery
• Brain tumor
  • Chemotherapy/radiation therapy
  • Surgical removal
• Migraines
  • Anti-inflammatory medication – Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen
• Shingles
  • Anti-viral medication.