Facial tingling can occur due to health conditions like anxiety and migraine. But it may also indicate a more serious condition. If it interferes with your daily life, you should seek medical attention.

Facial tingling might feel like a prickly or moving sensation under your skin. It can affect your whole face or just one side. Some people describe the feeling as uncomfortable or annoying, while others find it painful.

Tingling sensations are a sign of a condition called paresthesia, which also includes sensations such as numbness, prickling, itching, burning, or crawling. You may experience one or more of these sensations at a time.

Read on to learn more about what could be causing your facial tingling.

There are several possible causes for tingling in the face, including:

Nerves run all through your body, and some are located in your face. Pain, numbness, or tingling can occur whenever a nerve is damaged.

Neuropathy is a condition that causes injury to the nerves in your body and sometimes affects facial nerves. Common causes of neuropathy are:

Depending on the cause, nerve damage can be treated with:

  • medicines
  • surgery
  • physical therapy
  • nerve stimulation
  • other methods

Trigeminal neuralgia is another condition that causes abnormal trigeminal nerve function in your face. It can trigger tingling and often very intense pain.

Typically, people with this condition report episodes of severe shooting pain that feel like an electric shock.

Certain medications and surgical procedures may help relieve the discomfort.

Migraine headaches can cause tingling or numbness in your face and body. These sensations may occur before, during, or after a migraine episode. They often crop up on the same side of your body that the head pain affects.

A hemiplegic migraine can cause temporary weakness on one side of the body, including the face.

Different medications are available to help or prevent migraine symptoms. Your doctor might also tell you to record your symptoms in a journal, so you can pinpoint specific migraine triggers.

Tingling or numbness in the face and body is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). In fact, it’s often the first sign of the disease.

MS happens when a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks the protective coverings of nerve cells.

People with MS who have extreme facial tingling or numbness should be cautious when chewing because they can accidentally bite the inside of their mouths.

Other symptoms of MS include:

  • difficulty walking
  • fatigue
  • vision problems
  • dizziness or loss of balance
  • tremor
  • issues with bladder or bowel function
  • stiffness or spasms
  • memory or thinking problems

There’s currently no cure for MS, but certain medications can slow the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms.

Some people with an anxiety disorder report a tingling, burning, or numbing sensation in their face and other parts of their body before, during, or after an anxiety attack.

Other common reactions for people with an anxiety disorder include physical symptoms, such as:

  • sweating
  • trembling
  • rapid breathing
  • increased heart rate

Certain forms of therapy, along with medications, including antidepressants, can help treat anxiety.

Sometimes facial tingling is a sign that you’re allergic to something. Tingling or itching around the mouth is a common response to food allergies.

Other signs of an allergic reaction include:

  • trouble swallowing
  • hives or itchy skin
  • swelling of the:
    • face
    • lips
    • tongue
    • throat
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness or fainting
  • diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

Over-the-counter antihistamines can help with minor allergies. A severe allergic reaction is usually treated with an EpiPen, an injectable device containing the medication epinephrine.

Some people report experiencing tingling on one side of their face during or after a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), which is also known as a “ministroke.”

You should seek immediate emergency medical care if your tingling is accompanied by:

  • a severe and unusual headache
  • slurred speech or difficulty talking
  • facial numbness, drooping, or paralysis
  • sudden vision problems
  • sudden loss of coordination
  • weakness
  • memory loss

Both stroke and TIA are considered medical emergencies. Be sure to pursue treatment as soon as you notice symptoms.

Facial tingling and tingling in other limbs is a common sign of fibromyalgia. This condition is characterized by widespread pain and fatigue.

Other symptoms of fibromyalgia may include:

Medications can help relieve pain and improve sleep. Other treatments, such as physical therapy, counseling, and certain alternative treatments, may help people with fibromyalgia.

It’s possible something else is causing your face tingling.

If you were exposed to cold temperatures, frostbite could be the reason.

Tingling or skin numbness is also an uncommon symptom of food poisoning.

Sometimes, it may just be a lack of circulation to your nerves, or a limb “falling alseep.”

If you’re unsure, you should talk with your doctor. However, doctors aren’t always able to identify an exact cause for facial tingling.

It’s a good idea to see a medical professional if your facial tingling becomes bothersome or interferes with your daily life.

A healthcare professional will probably want to perform tests to determine what’s causing the tingling.

Remember to get help right away if you think you’re having a stroke or severe allergic reaction. These can be life threatening conditions that require emergency care.

How do I get rid of face tingling?

Treatments for facial tingling may vary depending on the underlying cause. Some cases of tingling could be solved with medication, while others may require surgical intervention.

Face tingling may also disappear entirely on its own.

Talking with your doctor can help pinpoint the best treatment for you.

Can dehydration cause tingling in the face?

Tingling sensations can be a sign of dehydration.

If you’ve participated in intense physical activity, your electrolytes might be imbalanced, which can disrupt nerve signals and cause tingling.

A variety of medical issues can cause tingling on the face. Sometimes these problems can be easily treated with simple remedies. Other times they require prompt medical attention.

Facial tingling might be a constant symptom, or you might only experience the sensation occasionally. Either way, your doctor can help you determine what’s causing the tingling and how to treat it effectively.