1. It Even Hurts to Blink
Facial pain can be so painful that it really does hurt to blink. Facial pain can be localized to one spot or it can occur over a large area. Facial pain may feel like it's a burning or searing pain, a throbbing pain like a toothache or it can cause pain just to touch your face. Facial pain can radiate to your neck, scalp or ears and the pain can be intermittent or continuous.
2. Facial Pain Has Many Faces
Facial pain can occur due to dental or sinus infections, facial injury, facial deformity, tumors or inflammatory conditions. Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition in which the trigeminal nerve of the face and head is affected; causing short episodes of very severe pain that feels like electric shocks. Postherpetic neuralgia occurs up to six months after a bout of herpes zoster (shingles) and causes an aching type of facial pain along the trigeminal nerve. Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ) is a condition that causes facial pain at the TMJ joint, which is located where the lower jaw meets the skull. TMJ pain can be felt when either eating or talking, as well as facial pain or ear pain. Complications from plastic surgery can also cause facial pain.
3. Why Does My Face Hurt?
A complete history and physical is done to help determine the cause of facial pain. The history includes many questions about the type of pain, the duration and how long you've had it. Previous health history is important to determine post herpetic neuralgia or facial injuries. The doctor will order an x-ray of the skull and do a neurological exam. The doctor may also order a CT scan or MRI. A complete exam of the eyes and ears should also be done to determine the cause of facial pain.
4. Relief Comes in Many Forms
Treatments vary based on the cause of your facial pain, but many doctors start with anti-convulsant drugs like carbamazepine. Other drugs your doctor may prescribe include antidepressants, anti-spasmodic drugs and pain medication. Over-the-counter pain medications like NSAIDS are recommended, as well as prescription analgesics. Surgery may be necessary to repair the TMJ joint or remove any tumors that cause facial pain.
5. Seek Alternative Comfort Measures
Some who suffer from facial pain get relief from hot or cold compresses and over-the-counter analgesic creams. Your doctor can prescribe either Lidocaine cream or a Lidocaine patch to wear to help relieve pain. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS unit) stimulates the nerves with a very low voltage electrical current and helps block pain signals. Acupuncture may also help some patients who suffer from facial pain.
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