Facial Numbness Causes

Definition of Facial Numbness

Facial numbness can include a lack of or distortion of feeling in the skin on the face and lips. The condition also can include tingling of the face and lips. Swelling, redness, burning sensation and loss of muscle control can also be seen in cases of facial numbness.

Causes of Facial Numbness

There are several possibilities for facial numbness. The most common is brain damage caused by stroke. When a stroke develops, the brain can be deprived of oxygen and blood. The damage that develops can cause paralysis in the face, leading to numbness. Another common cause of numbness is nerve damage. Nerve damage can be caused by trauma (such as a blow to the neck or head) or by a medical condition (diabetic neuropathy, palsy). Another cause for facial numbness includes side effects of drugs. Some drugs can have inhibitors that alter the working of neurotransmitters--which can lead to numbness in the body, including the face.

Treatment

Doctors begin with a person's medical history to determine whether facial numbness is tied to any medical condition, trauma or drug. Once those have been ruled out, testing begins in order to diagnose the health of the nervous system--especially in relation to the face. A CAT scan and an MRI scan will more than likely be performed, as well as blood tests to observe hormone and enzyme levels in the body.

References

• Facial Paralysis

Resources

• Facial Numbness