The face is built upon the skull that consists of the cranial and facial bones. On top of these bones are layers of facial muscles, which work to produce the variety of facial expressions. For muscles to move, specialized cells called nerves carry messages from the brain to the muscles. A network of nerves that branch from the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain runs through the face. Damage to any of these nerves or those that connect to the main trigeminal nerve can result in partial numbness in the face.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia, also called neuropathic facial pain, is a nerve disorder of the trigeminal nerve that runs through the face. Although the cause is unknown, trigeminal neuralgia causes pain in the face near the lips, nose, eyes or ears that ranges from a dull burning pain to a pain that is so intense some call the condition the suicide disease as described by The Facial Pain Association. In addition to pain, trigeminal neuralgia can cause tingling and numbness of the face.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, MS, is an autoimmune disease in which the body's own immune cells attack and damage the fatty substance, known as myelin, which surrounds and protects the nerves. MS affects approximately 2.1 million people worldwide, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. As the myelin breaks down, the nerves throughout the body become damaged resulting in one of the most common symptoms of MS: numbness of the face, body or extremities.
Bell's Palsy
Bell's palsy is a condition of temporary facial numbness and paralysis caused by injury to one of the facial nerves. The National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke report that Bell's palsy is the most common cause of facial paralysis. Bell's palsy can be caused by a viral infection, such as meningitis or the herpes virus, which can cause the nerves in the face to become inflamed resulting in the numbness.
Pinched Nerve
The trigeminal nerve branches into three branches: the ophthalmic nerve, maxillary nerve and mandibular nerve. These nerves are connected to the cervical nerves in the spine. Irritation to these nerves, such as from a herniated disc that pinches the nerve, can cause partial facial numbness and tingling.
Shingles
Shingles is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. Following an episode of chicken pox, the virus remains in the body lying dormant in nerve cells near the spinal cord and brain. Years later the virus can be reactivated, for reasons not fully understood but a weak immune system may be a contributing factor, to produce shingles.
Symptoms of shingles include fluid-filled blisters that form a red rash, itching, fever, chills, headache and fatigue. The area of the blisters, which can include the face, can experience a burning, tingling or numbness sensation, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic.
