Facial Pain: Causes, Management and When to Seek Help

Facial pain can be caused by a variety of factors, and its intensity can vary. It may affect one side of the face or be more generalised, and it may relate to the sinuses, teeth, nerves, or muscles.

Causes:

Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses often leads to pain in the forehead, cheeks, or around the eyes, usually accompanied by nasal congestion.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ): This condition affects the jaw joint and can cause pain around the ears, cheeks, and jaw.
Dental Issues: Tooth infections or abscesses can cause sharp facial pain.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: A nerve disorder causing severe, stabbing pain in the face.
Cluster Headaches: Intense pain around one eye, often accompanied by eye-watering and nasal congestion.

Management and Treatment:

Over-the-counter pain relief: Ibuprofen or paracetamol can help alleviate mild facial pain.
Warm or cold compresses: Applying a warm or cold pack to the affected area may reduce pain and swelling.
Saline nasal rinses (Neilmed/ Xlear Sinus rinses)or Saline sprays: If sinusitis is the cause, these can help relieve congestion.
Dental treatment: For tooth-related pain, seeing a dentist is crucial.
Muscle relaxation exercises: For TMJ, gentle jaw exercises or physiotherapy can ease pain.

When to See an ENT Specialist: If facial pain is persistent, severe, or accompanied by nasal symptoms. We can help identify the underlying cause and recommend the best course of treatment, ensuring your pain is properly managed.