Does your face hurt too? Shall we talk about this facial pain?

Are you also uncomfortable with a sudden sharp pain in your face, or a constant ache? Around the eyes, around the mouth, in the jaw, in the cheek... this pain can disrupt your entire day. Sometimes you can't figure out where this pain is coming from or why it's happening. Many people think this is normal, but sometimes this facial pain can be a symptom of another health problem inside our body. So let's talk about this in a little more detail today.

What exactly is facial pain?

Simply put, facial pain is any pain or discomfort that occurs anywhere on your face. It is not a disease, but a symptom of another disease. The way this pain is experienced can vary from person to person.

• Some people experience a sharp pain that comes and goes for a few seconds , like an electric shock .
• Others may feel a sharp pain , like a knife stabbing them .
• Sometimes it feels like a tingling sensation all over my face.
• Other times, there may be a throbbing pain.
• This may also be the reason why your face feels like it's tingling .

This pain can be on just one side of your face, or it can be on both sides. Some pain goes away in a few days (acute), but some pain lasts for a long time (chronic). Most of the time, this is not an emergency. However, if you have persistent pain that comes and goes without a cause, it is important to talk to your doctor .

What are the main ways facial pain can occur?

Facial pain can be divided into several types depending on the cause. Once you understand this, it's easy to get a rough idea of ​​the pain you're experiencing.

Can we explain a little about this strange type of facial pain (Atypical Facial Pain)?

People with this condition called ``(AFP)`` have constant facial pain for at least three months. This is a very annoying condition.

• The pain may increase with cold, heat, or even when touching the face.
• Some people say that pain increases when they are tired or stressed.
• The pain can occur on the right or left side of the face, often near the jaw or ear.
• The way this pain is described varies from person to person. Some say it feels like a burning sensation in the face, a burning sensation coming from within , or a tingling sensation . Sometimes, the pain in the lower back can suddenly become a sharp pain.

What are the common causes of facial pain?

In addition to the types we discussed earlier, there are several other common causes of facial pain.

• Headache: Facial pain is common with regular headaches, especially migraines.
• Sinus Infections: When the sinus cavities in the forehead, cheeks, and under the eyes become infected, there is intense pain and pressure in those areas.
• Herpes Virus: Cold sores (Herpes simplex) and chickenpox or herpes zoster (Herpes zoster/shingles) can cause severe pain along the nerves in the face.
• Tooth Abscesses: A severe pain caused by a pus-filled abscess inside a tooth or in the gums can spread to the cheek, jaw, and even the ear.
• Sialadenitis: An infection or stone formation in the salivary glands can cause pain and swelling in the cheek area.
• Myofascial Pain Syndrome: A condition in which pain is caused by problems in the muscles of the face and neck.

What are the treatments for facial pain?

Facial pain is treated by finding the underlying cause. The doctor will first try simple non-surgical treatments. Only if these fail will he consider surgery.

Nonsurgical Procedures

• Medications: Depending on the cause of the pain, different types of medications may be prescribed. For nerve-related pain, anti-epileptic drugs, some antidepressants, and muscle relaxers are used. These are very effective in controlling pain.
• Botox® Injections: This injection, called OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox®), temporarily paralyzes the muscles that cause pain. This reduces muscle contractions and relieves pain.
• Nerve Blocks: Pain can be relieved by injecting an injection into the nerve where the pain is located, temporarily numbing that nerve.
• Complementary Therapy: Some people find relief from things like facial massage and acupuncture. If you have sinus problems, there are special massage techniques for that.

Surgical Procedures

These are usually done in cases of severe pain where other treatments have not been successful.

• Microvascular Decompression (MVD): Sometimes pain is caused by a blood vessel pressing on a nerve. In this surgery, the skull is opened slightly (craniotomy) and a small pad is placed between the blood vessel and the nerve. This relieves the pressure and the pain goes away.
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery: This involves using a device called the ``Gamma Knife®'' to precisely target a beam of radiation to the nerve causing the pain. It is as delicate as a surgical knife and does not damage surrounding tissue.
• Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS): This involves sending very subtle electrical signals to the nerve that is causing pain through a small electrode, stopping the nerve from becoming overactive.

Are there things you can do at home?

There are a few things you can do at home for minor pain. But remember, if the pain lasts more than two or three days or is severe, you should definitely see a doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

• If the pain does not subside after a few days .
• If the pain goes away and comes back (comes and goes).
• If you can't think of a clear reason for the pain.
• If there are other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, or vision changes along with facial pain.
• If the pain is so severe that you cannot perform your daily activities .

When should you go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU)?

Sometimes facial pain can be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as a heart attack or stroke. If you have facial pain along with the following symptoms, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) without delay or call 1990.