Facial pain can cause aching, pressure, burning, shooting, or electrical sensations.
Because there are many structures in and around the face, there are many different causes of facial pain.
This article will review various facial pain causes, treatment options, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Facial pain can result from a variety of different conditions that affect any of these structures.
Sinus Infection
The sinuses are empty cavities within the nose and middle of the face.
They transport air and help drain mucus.
Sinusitis, or asinus infection, results from respiratory infections, including thecommon cold.
This causes pressure to build up within the inflamed sinuses, causing facial pain.
The trigeminal nerve arises from the pons, an area of the brain that forms part of the brainstem.
Trigeminal neuralgia is resulting from compression of the trigeminal nerve.
Facial pain from TMJ disorders can spread to the jaw, ears, temples, forehead, and neck.
Tightness in the muscles that control the jaw may also become tight and tender.
Cluster headacheis a punch in of severe headache that comes on suddenly and occurs in clusters of time.
It causes pain on one side of the head, forehead, and around the eye.
The causes of migraine and cluster headaches are not fully understood, but certain triggers can bring them on.
Wounds, sores, and infections affecting teeth, mouth, or gums can also cause facial pain.
Shingles
Shinglesis due to the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causeschickenpox.
To develop shingles, you should probably have had chickenpox in the past.
The virus lays dormant in the body but can be triggered by an infection or stress.
Shingles cause a painful skin rash, which can develop on the face.
Symptoms ofshingles on the faceinclude:
Shingles can also cause a complication called postherpetic neuralgia.
This condition causes nerve pain and burning in the skin that continues even after the shingles rash goes away.
Heart Attack
Aheart attackis a serious condition in which blood flow to the heart is blocked.
A heart attack is a medical emergency and requires immediate medical treatment.
How to Relieve Facial Pain at Home
Relieving facial pain requires treating the underlying condition causing it.
While medical management is key, at home treatment methods can help alleviate discomfort.
Applying ice or a cool compress to the affected part of your face can help reduce pain intensity.
Over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications to reduce pain and inflammation can also be used to help with your symptoms.
Avoiding triggers for certain types of facial pain can prevent symptoms from occurring.
You may also benefit from jaw exercises and physical therapy.
Medicated Facial Pain Treatment
Various medications are used to treat facial pain depending on the underlying cause.
Several surgical procedures can be performed to treat trigeminal neuralgia.
See your healthcare provider if you experience facial pain that does not improve after one week.
These symptoms require more urgent treatment.
Heart attacks and strokes are medical emergencies and require immediate medical attention.
Managing Chronic Facial Pain
It can be difficult to find relief from chronic facial pain.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke.Bell’s palsy.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and stroke.Trigeminal neuralgia.
2020;83(1):5-16. doi: 10.1159/000505727.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Migraine headaches.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cluster headaches.
Centers for Disease Control And Prevention.Shingles symptoms and complications.
