Understanding Facial Pain – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Facial pain is the sensation of pain in the face and/or head. It can be the result of head or facial injury, or due to a condition which travels along the same nerves that carry sensations from the face to the brain. This pain may be mild and achy, or it can be stabby and fierce and damn near debilitating, as in you will have trouble getting through nourishment, hygiene, and other tasks. The root of facial pain is highly diverse—from relatively simple infections like the common cold to complexities like nerve injuries. One such question is, “Can a cold give you facial pain?” — and the answer is yes, often thanks to sinus congestion. In this post we look at some of the most common reasons behind facial pain, the way in which it is diagnosed, and the most appropriate forms of treatment.
What is Facial Pain?
Facial pain is any type of pain that is felt in any area of the face, such as the cheek or the jaw, forehead, or around the eyes. It can be dull and aching — a common symptom with sinus infections — or intense and stabbing, as is so often the case with nerve-related disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia.
Pain may also be described as being continuous (constant) or as having periods of relief between episodes of pain. The character of the pain can also help suggest a cause. Though sinuses, muscles, or teeth can be the direct cause, pain can also refer—so you might have a dental problem (or even heart issues), but feel it in your face.
Common Causes of Facial Pain
Facial pain can occur for a multitude of reasons. Here a just a few of the most popular:
- Dental problems: Tooth abscesses, cavities, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause major facial pain, also on the jaw or cheeks.
- Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses due to infection can cause pain and pressure in the face, particularly behind the eyes and on the forehead. “Do colds cause face pain?” is a question many people ask. Yes, indeed, colds are a cause of sinus congestion, and that can lead to facial pain.
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: This is a long-term disease that affects the trigeminal nerve of your face causing sudden electric shock-like facial pain. It is frequently set off by simple things, like brushing teeth or talking.
- Migraines and Cluster Headaches: These disorders of the nervous system can result in facial pain that is described as one-sided, accompanied by a pulsating headache which usually occurs around the eye.
- Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox can cause a painful rash and sensation of burning on facial nerves.
- Injury or trauma: Automobile accidents, surgeries or even a simple scratch on the face can lead to long-term pain or discomfort of the trigeminal nerve.
- Myofascial Pain Syndrome: This chronic muscle pain involves discomfort or pain in the muscles of the jaw or face, commonly occurring in people who have experienced severe emotional or physical stress or who have habitually tensed their jaw muscles over time.
In rare instances, facial pain can be idiopathic, having no identifiable cause even after extensive exploration.
When to Worry: Emergency Signs
Anyone suffering from facial pain, even if it is mild, is advised to seek medical consultation:
- Chest or Arm Pain Plus Facial Pain: Could signal a heart attack, especially in older adults.
- Acute onset of severe facial pain with vision changes: This may be acute angle-closure glaucoma, an emergency.
- Tooth pain with swelling: This may indicate an abscess or significant dental infection.
If you have any of these signs, get medical care right away.
Diagnosing Facial Pain
Appropriately identifying the aetiology of facial pain requires a careful medical assessment. Depending on your symptoms, the following tests may be performed:
- Dental Check-Up And X-Rays: It helps find problems such as cavities, infection, TMJ issues.
- Sinus Imaging (CT/MRI): Assist in the finding of sinusitis or other significant sinus pathology.
- Neurological Assessment: Particularly useful when trigeminal neuralgia or other nerve conditions are suspected.
- Blood Tests or MRI Scans: These can help identify whether a body-wide disorder, like an autoimmune disease or tumour, is responsible.
A thorough medical history and physical exam is crucial to identify the pain point and direct treatment.
Treatment Options for Facial Pain
Medical Treatments
- Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or paracetamol can offer relief from mild to moderate pain.
- Antibiotics: for treatment of bacterial infections, like sinusitis or dental abscess.
- Nerve Medicines: Such as gabapentin and other anticonvulsants for syndromes like trigeminal neuralgia.
- Steroid Injections: For inflammatory conditions such as TMJ pain and some muscle pain.
Home Remedies
- Warm or cold compress: Can help ease sinus pressure and can reduce any muscle tension in the jaw or face.
- Salt water rinses – Good for small dental problems and swelling gums.
- Dealing with Stress: Building a good meditation routine or enjoying a yoga class is especially helpful if you’re experiencing stress and muscle tension, which in turn causes cramps.
Specialist Care
Depending on what appears to be the cause, you may be referred to:
- A Dentist: If you have any kind of dental or jaw issue.
- An ENT Specialist (Otolaryngologist): If you suspect sinus issues or nerve pain.
- A Neurologist: For nerve-related facial pain that is chronic or severe.
Preventing Facial Pain
As with other conditions, prevention starts with a good daily routine:
- Have great oral hygiene: Brush, floss and make regular trips to your dentist to prevent infection and cavities.
- Treat Allergies: Controlling allergies can prevent sinus congestion, which can cause facial pain.
- Decrease Stress: Relax to minimise clenching of your jaw or tensing of your facial muscles.
These preventive measures will greatly decrease the chances of suffering facial pain again.
Conclusion
Facial pain can be mild or so severe as to cause disability, and the aetiologies that clinical situation can be a lesion in the mouth, face or head. The root cause needs to be addressed for effective treatment. Whether the cause is dental (like infected gums or decay), a sinus infection, or a disorder of the nerves, early intervention can help immensely.
If you have unexplained or prolonged facial pain, err on the side of caution and see a healthcare provider today.
For specialist care and individual attention, come to Chase Lodge Hospital.
