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Numbness on the left side of your cheek could be a serious medical problem. When you have trouble feeling areas of your face, it can be scary to know when and if you will get any type of feeling back. Occasional facial numbness is generally not a concern. If this type of symptom persists or is accompanied by other signs of numbness or pain, it could be the sign of an underlying medical condition. CausesThere are several causes of facial numbness, and if your left cheek is numb or tingling, it could be an indication that something more serious is infringing on nerves. An initial concern of left cheek numbness is stroke. Stroke is when the blood supply to your brain is blocked. When a stroke occurs, brain cells can begin to die and permanent brain damage can occur within minutes. Some of the signs include facial paralysis, numbness on one area of the face, severe headache and slurred speech. You must seek emergency help immediately if you have stroke symptoms. Another cause could be Bell's palsy. This condition also affects the face -- in particular the facial nerve. You may notice that it comes on suddenly or over a period of a couple of days. You may lose control over one side of the face and your face may droop, you may have excessive tearing in the eye and you may be sensitive to sounds. Other things may also cause occasional numbness, including ear infection, Lyme disease, trauma to the head or face, and a brain tumor. TestingYour doctor may want to run several tests in order to pinpoint a cause of your left cheek numbness. A physical exam may determine if there are any structure problems with your face or if you have a blockage in your ear. Your doctor may also check your reflexes and test your reaction to stimuli on your extremities. An MRI can help rule out problems neurologically. An EEG, or electroencephalogram, may also be used in order to measure the electrical impulses and communication within your brain. Your doctor may also conduct an EMG or ENoG to help test for how well your facial nerves are functioning. Blood tests may be used to eliminate problems such as Lyme disease as a source of the numbness. TreatmentTreatment of your cheek numbness will begin with treating the condition once a diagnosis is made. This could range from blood thinners to rehabilitative therapy if you have had a stroke to medication that is used to help relax the muscles and nerves in the face. If your paralysis or numbness is caused by a virus -- antiviral agents may be used. A steroid may also be used to help reduce inflammation in some cases. PreventionThe best way to prevent cheek numbness is to protect your face from any type of blunt force or trauma. It is also important to get regular exercise 30 minutes a day up to five days a week in order to reduce your risk of stroke. Seeing your doctor as soon as you have symptoms can help him treat you effectively and reduce long-term complications.
Many people experience unexplained tingling or numbness at some point in their lives. But tingling in the head or face can be cause for concern, especially if this is the first time you've experienced the sensation. A number of conditions can cause tingling, from anxiety to multiple sclerosis to COVID-19. So, when should you reach out to your doctor versus treating symptoms at home? Here's a rundown of why your head and face might be tingling and when you should get help. 1. Anxiety or panic attackYou may already be familiar with anxiety's emotional and psychological symptoms, like feeling nervous, restless, or panicked. But anxiety can also be the root of physical issues. For example, tingling or numbness in the body can be a sign you're having a panic attack. Other physical symptoms include:
Repeated panic attacks may indicate panic disorder, an anxiety disorder characterized by unpredictable episodes of overwhelming fear accompanied by physical symptoms like chest pain, heart palpitations, dizziness, and abdominal distress. As many as 3% of American adults experience panic disorder every year. How to treat it: If panic disorder is causing your symptoms, your provider may refer you to a mental health professional to ensure you get the right treatment, which may include medication or psychotherapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to treat panic disorder. This form of psychotherapy teaches you different ways of reacting to the feelings that pop up before or during panic attacks in order to help reduce their frequency. Your doctor may also prescribe medications of which the most common are antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). In more rare cases, beta blockers or anti-anxiety medications may also be an option. 2. Vitamin B12 deficiencyVitamin deficiencies can be tricky to spot since symptoms often come on gradually and intensify over time. "A vitamin B12 deficiency usually causes numbness and tingling in the hands and feet due to the small blood vessels. However, some people also experience these symptoms in their face or head," says Leighanna Jagels, ND and owner of Wildcraft Family Wellness. Other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency might include:
How to treat it: You can raise your vitamin B12 levels by eating more foods rich in B12 including certain fish, meat, and dairy products. Vegans and strict vegetarians can increase their vitamin B12 intake by consuming fortified cereals or supplements. 3. MigraineWhile the most recognizable migraine symptom is the intense throbbing pain in one area of the head, migraines can also cause numbness or tingling in the head and face. A migraine can be triggered by any of the following:
You might experience additional sensory symptoms beyond your headache, such as numbness or changes in vision. These symptoms indicate a migraine "aura." Only 25%-30% of people with migraines experience auras, which occur just before or during the headache phase. These sensory disturbances might include flashes of light, blind spots and other vision changes, or tingling in your hands or face. Symptoms of migraines with aura include:
How to treat it: While migraines can often be treated at home, you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience new symptoms, like vision loss, speech difficulty, or muscle weakness on one side of your body. This can help your provider rule out more serious conditions, such as a stroke. 4. Nerve damageA tingling or numb feeling in your face or head might be a sign that a nerve is irritated and sending altered signals to your brain. Think of your numbness or tingling as a roadblock in your nervous system. The constant pressure placed on a nerve can prevent your nervous system from moving the electrical impulses that typically transmit sensations. This can lead to a loss of feeling or numbness. "Alteration to the function of the nerves affecting the skin on your head and face is what causes this tingling sensation," says Joshua Burnham, DC, and owner of Precision Chiropractic Services. According to Burnham, there are several conditions that can result in changes to the nerves' function. "Diabetes, migraines, dental conditions, mental and emotional stress, and cervical nerve irritation can all impair your nerves' ability to function correctly," says Burnham. In some instances, a nerve may be injured from an accident, leaving that nerve trapped in a "pins-and-needles stage." This might leave you in constant pain. How to treat it: Your provider may recommend physical therapy to prevent stiffness and restore function and feeling to treat a nerve injury. Anti-inflammatories like aspirin can also relieve nerve pain. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroid injections. Antidepressants are also an effective treatment for nerve pain, even when depression isn't at play. This is because antidepressants increase the neurotransmitters in your spinal cord that reduce pain signals. If your nerve damage is caused by an underlying medical condition, your doctor will need to treat this condition. "Considering that one in three US adults is prediabetic according to the CDC, it makes sense to see a doctor and start with blood work to rule out an insulin-resistance induced neuropathy as the cause for tingling," says Burnham. Moreover, if you know that you have carpal tunnel syndrome or diabetic neuropathy, tingling in the head or face is a sign you should seek immediate medical care. 5. Bell's palsyBell's palsy is an acute episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis. It may be preceded with a sense of numbness that begins abruptly and worsens over 48 hours and is joined with facial paralysis. This condition is the most common cause of facial paralysis and generally occurs on only one side of the face. Symptoms of Bell's palsy include:
While the cause of Bell's palsy is unknown, it has been linked to inflammation of the nerve that controls your facial muscles. This is an autoimmune response that occurs when your immune system attacks your own body. How to treat it: If you develop acute facial weakness you should contact your doctor immediately. Your provider may try to rule out more serious conditions, such as a stroke. An estimated 85% of people with Bell's palsy will recover on their own, seeing a spontaneous improvement within three weeks of symptoms. However, the other 15% of individuals will need medical treatment to regain facial functioning, which is why it's so important to see your doctor as soon as possible if you're experiencing Bell's palsy. Oral steroids are a highly effective treatment for people with new-onset Bell's palsy and increase your chance of recovering facial functioning. Additional therapies like physical therapy, facial massage, or acupuncture may also provide a slight improvement in symptoms. Treatment should be started as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours of symptom onset, to increase your odds of a full recovery. 6. Ramsay Hunt syndromeIf you're only experiencing tingling or numbness in one side of your face or head in addition to facial paralysis, dizziness or hearing loss, Ramsay Hunt syndrome may be to blame. This condition occurs when a shingles outbreak impacts the facial nerve near one of your ears and can lead to prolonged facial muscle weakness. Symptoms of Ramsay Hunt syndrome include:
How to treat it: Call your medical provider immediately if you experience facial paralysis or a rash that could be shingles on your face. Your provider may try to rule out more serious conditions, such as a stroke. Your doctor may suggest antivirals, corticosteroids, anti-anxiety medications, and pain relievers to combat your symptoms. Starting treatment within 72 hours of these warning signs can help you prevent long-term health complications like permanently weakened facial muscles and deafness. 7. StrokeNumbness or weakness in your face, arms, or legs, especially on just one side of your body, could be a sign of stroke. You can use the acronym "FAST" to identify the condition:
Other symptoms of stroke might include:
While strokes generally occur without warning, some individuals experience temporary numbness, tingling, weakness, or other symptoms before the actual onset of stroke. This is what's called a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. How to treat it: If you are experiencing any symptoms of stroke or TIA, go to a hospital immediately or call 911. Treatments administered within the first few hours of symptoms can reduce or fully reverse brain injury. Your doctor may administer a t-PA (a medication that opens blocked blood vessels) or remove a blood clot from your brain via catheter. 8. Multiple sclerosisNumbness in your face or body is usually the first noticeable and one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). But it comes with a wide range of symptoms that can affect any body part. As a result, each person experiences MS differently, and symptoms are unpredictable. While some individuals might experience steadily worsening symptoms, others might experience an ebb and flow. Periods when symptoms lessen or disappear entirely are known as remissions. Periods of worsening symptoms are known as relapses. Common symptoms of MS include:
How to treat it: While there are no medications available to relieve numbness associated with MS, most instances of numbness are not disabling and tend to fade on their own. In some instances of a new onset of severe numbness, your doctor can prescribe a short course of corticosteroids to speed up your recovery. While there is currently no cure for MS, research is ongoing to develop new disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) and medications to ease symptoms and improve the quality of life of people diagnosed with this condition. 9. High blood pressureIn rare cases, high blood pressure can cause numbness or tingling in the head, face, or extremities. This is known as a hypertensive emergency and happens when your blood pressure climbs so high that it damages your body, potentially injuring major organs like your brain, heart, and kidneys. You should seek emergency care if your blood pressure is above 180/120 and you have any of the following symptoms, as these can be signs of organ damage:
Most hypertensive emergencies happen in patients already diagnosed with chronic hypertension (high blood pressure). As the name states, this is an emergency and should be treated like one. How to treat it: If you are experiencing a noticeable increase in your blood pressure or related symptoms, go to your nearest hospital. Your doctor can prescribe fast-acting medication to lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk of bodily injury. 10. COVID-19COVID-19 symptoms are notoriously difficult to pin down since they vary from person to person. The CDC doesn't currently list facial numbness or tingling as a symptom, but this may change as further research is performed. After recovering from COVID-19, many people experience one or more lingering neurological issues, like numbness, tingling, impaired memory, or loss of smell. For example, one 2020 study of 229 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 found that 47 patients (33.57%) reported a tingling, sore, or dry feeling in their noses. Interestingly, this symptom was a common complaint of patients without any other nasal symptoms, such as loss of smell. Another 2020 study found that COVID-19 patients may suffer from similar issues of numbness or tingling after treatment. This study details the nerve damage some individuals have suffered after being turned onto their stomachs in the ICU (prone positioning) during a life-saving measure to help them breathe. For COVID-19 survivors with neuromuscular complications like tingling or numbness in the face, head, or extremities, imaging can help identify the root of the problem and guide further treatment. How to treat it: Since the jury is out on whether or not tingling and numbness is a sign of COVID-19, reaching out to your doctor can help you identify other potential symptoms and find the right treatment plan. Your provider may suggest antiviral medications, monoclonal antibody treatments, or bedrest to treat COVID-19, depending on the severity and onset of your symptoms. Insider's takeawaySince many conditions are linked to numbness and tingling in the head and face, it might take a professional to identify what's causing your symptoms. Reaching out to your medical provider can give you peace of mind when you find yourself worrying about your symptoms. Numbness and tingling of the face can have various causes, from vitamin deficiencies to potentially life-threatening conditions like a hypertensive crisis. "If you haven't started or changed a medication recently, seeking emergency medical attention could save your life," says Jagels.
Cassandra Miasnikov is a writer specializing in positive psychology and women's health. Her work has been featured in publications including NAMI, Thrive Global, and the International Bipolar Foundation. Cassandra received her Bachelor's in Literature and New Media at UC Santa Barbara and studies Clinical Psychology at the graduate level at Pepperdine University.Cassandra has earned the 20 Under 40 Award in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. She is a Lead Presenter for NAMI's Ending the Silence campaign, where she teaches middle and high schoolers about mental health.Cassandra is the founder of Selene Marketing, crafting content and websites that help socially conscious entrepreneurs build a brighter tomorrow. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she spends her free time playing electric guitar, reading too much high fantasy, and info dumping about Marvel comics. You can connect with Cassandra on LinkedIn. Read more Read less Should I be worried if my face feels numb?A numb face is not usually anything to worry about — in some cases, it may just be due to being very cold. A mild allergic reaction is also a possible cause. However, a person who experiences a numb face along with the symptoms of a more serious medical condition, such as MS, should speak to a doctor.
What is a numb face a symptom of?Viral and bacterial infections can result in facial numbness. Dental problems, including infections underneath your gums and in the roots of your teeth, can also cause this symptom Other infections that can lead to a feeling of numbness over one side or all over your face include: blocked saliva glands. shingles.
Can stress cause left face numbness?Anxiety can cause facial numbness and a tingling sensation. These symptoms of anxiety may trigger fears of a serious medical problem, such as a stroke or head injury. Many different conditions can cause numbness, but tingling and numbness are among the most common anxiety symptoms, especially during a panic attack .
Does numb face mean stroke?One of the warning signs of a stroke is that your face suddenly goes numb or droops. Without blood and oxygen, brain cells die quickly, and the part of the body they control stops working. With a stroke, every minute counts. The longer you wait to get treatment, the higher your chance of lasting brain damage.
What causes temporary numbness in face one side?Mini-strokes. Transient ischemic attacks, or mini-strokes, can cause one side of the face to go numb and droop . Encephalitis. In severe cases, inflammation in the brain and spinal cord can cause a loss of sensation in parts of the body or partial paralysis in the arms or legs.
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Why does the left side of my face feel numb
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