Many people have had the sensation of their arm or foot "going to sleep." Numbness is the word used to describe this tingling and lack of sensation. The trigeminal nerve controls sensation in the face. This nerve divides into the three branches. The opthalmic branch affects sensation in the forehead, eyebrow, eyes, upper eyelids and top of nose. The maxillary branch affects sensation in the cheeks, upper lip, sides of nose and lower eyelids. The mandibular branch affects sensation along the jaw and temples. Conditions that affect the trigeminal nerve along any of these branches can result in facial numbness.
Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is an illness spread by a spirochete, a bacteria-like organism that lives inside a deer tick. The disease spreads to humans through a tick bite, typically during the summer months. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that symptoms of Lyme disease begin with a rash shaped like a bull's eye and typically appear one to two weeks after the bite. If left untreated, the infection spreads and affects the nervous system. Most often, this causes numbness or weakness in the nerves of the face, a condition called Bell's palsy. Antibiotics are an effective treatment for Lyme disease. UMMC suggests using a tick repellent containing DEET if you venture into the woods during the summer to prevent tick bites.
Multiple Sclerosis
In a 2008 article published in the "Journal of the National Medical Association," lead author J.P. Mitchell reported that facial numbness could be an initial sign of multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the sheath covering the nerves. This covering is important for the nerves to receive communication from the brain. Symptoms most often begin between the ages of 20 and 40 and are more likely to occur in women. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and includes drugs such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, according to the MayoClinic.com.
Shingles
In people who have had chickenpox, the Herpes zoster virus can reactivate, resulting in a condition known as shingles. The reactivated virus spreads along nerve roots, causing pain and numbness. A 2004 article published in "Minerva Stomatologica" noted that the virus can spread along the trigeminal nerve, causing facial numbness. According to the MayoClinic.com, shingles are more likely if the patient had chickenpox before they were 1 year old, is over 60 years old or has a weakened immune system. Without treatment, red patches and painful blisters often follow the numbness and tingling. The Mayo Clinic notes that antiviral medications such as Acyclovir, valacyclovir or famcyclovir are common treatments for shingles.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lyme Disease and Related Tick-borne Infections
- MayoClinic.com: Multiple Sclerosis
- "Journal of the National Medical Association"; "Lateral Rectus Muscle Palsy, Facial Numbness and Ataxia as theInitial Manifestation of Multiple Sclerosis"; J.P. Mitchell; 2008
- Medline. Plus: Shingles
- Inner Body: Human Facial Nerves
