Facial pain refers to any kind of pain or discomfort felt in the face. The pain can occur all over the face or can be localized to a certain part of the face. In some cases, the pain may radiate from the head or ears to the face. The pain can be mild to severe depending on a case by case basis. It can be constant or come and go at different intervals. Depending on the causes, facial pain may be accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, jaw pain, toothache, earache, tingling/numbness/weakness in the face, swelling in the face, rash, sinus symptoms such as runny nose, PND (Post Nasal Drip means the dripping of mucus from the back of the nose in the throat), nasal congestion and eye-related symptoms such as redness of the eyes, watery eyes, etc. Facial pain can arise from several causes:
1. Trigeminal Neuralgia: Trigeminal neuralgia refers to severe pain on one side of the face along the course of the trigeminal nerve, mainly due to compression, irritation, or damage to the trigeminal nerve.
2. Sinusitis: It refers to inflamed paranasal sinuses i.e. air filled cavities in the skull bone. It can cause facial pain along with other symptoms such as runny nose, nasal drip, headache and nasal congestion. Facial pain can be felt in the cheek area, forehead, root of the nose, or upper jaw, depending on the sinus involved.
3. Toothache or cavities (hole in a tooth due to tooth decay) in the teeth and dental procedures such as tooth extraction, root canal treatment, etc.
4. Herpes Zoster or Postherpetic Neuralgia: Herpes Zoster refers to a painful rash with fluid-filled bumps (blisters) caused by the varicella zoster virus. If this pain persists for more than three months after the rash has healed, it is called postherpetic neuralgia.
5. Herpes Simplex: It is also known as cold sores, characterized by small blisters around the mouth and on the lips caused by herpes simplex virus 1.
6. Headaches such as migraine (unilateral headache, usually throbbing type, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to sound and light)
7. An injury to the face or a fracture of the maxillary or mandibular bone
8. Oral infection (infection of the gums, tooth abscess – accumulation of pus in different parts of the tooth due to bacterial infection) and infection of the salivary glands
9. TMJ (Temporo Mandibular Joint) disorders: These are disorders that arise from complaints of the temporomandibular joint or the muscles related to jaw movements.
10. Atypical facial pain when no obvious cause is found.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathy can be of great help for facial pain. Homeopathic medicines are natural remedies that help relieve facial pain by addressing its cause. Once the cause is treated, long-lasting relief from facial pain follows. The most suitable homeopathic medicine for facial pain is selected after taking into account the individual symptoms and the cause behind facial pain. It is advisable that any case of facial pain should always be assessed by a homeopathic doctor for the correct diagnosis and prescription. In most cases, facial pain occurs due to mild causes that can be treated with homeopathy. However, in very rare cases, pain in the face or jaw may occur due to a heart attack. So if pain suddenly occurs in the chest or left arm and radiates to the face or jaw, then immediate relief through the conventional method of treatment should be taken as homeopathy has limitations in treating such critical cases.
Homeopathic medicines for facial pain
1. Belladonna – Top Medicine
Belladonna is a very effective drug for treating facial pain. It can help facial pain related to various problems such as sinusitis, headaches, migraines and nerve involvement. In cases where this is necessary, the pain is made worse by touching the face or by moving the face. The pain may radiate to the side of the head, ear or neck. The pain can be relieved by pressing hard on the face. Although pain can occur on any side, it most commonly affects the right side of the face. The pain can be cutting, shooting and tearing in nature. In addition to pain, a heated sensation may be felt on the face. The face may also be noticeably red. Swelling may appear on the cheeks. This medicine is also useful in treating nerve pain that starts on the right side of the head and spreads to the right eye and right cheek.
2. Spigelia – For facial pain due to trigeminal neuralgia
Spigelia is one of the best medications for facial pain due to trigeminal neuralgia. The pain is mainly felt on the left side of the face. One feels pain on the forehead, eye, cheek, teeth on the left side of the face. The pain can be tearing, stabbing, or burning, like hot needles. Pain tends to come and go suddenly. The left side of the face is also very sensitive to touch.
3. Magnesia Phosphorica – For right sided facial pain
This medicine is well indicated for the treatment of facial pain on the right side, especially due to trigeminal neuralgia. It is recommended when the pain starts from the right eye and radiates from there to the entire right side of the face. The pain can be stabbing, shooting or cutting. The pain tends to worsen with the slightest touch, air flow and washing with cold water. Relief is felt by applying warm to the right side of the face.
4. Colocynth – For left sided facial pain
Colocynth is a wonderful drug for treating pain on the left side of the face. In cases where this is necessary, facial pain becomes worse even with a light touch to the face. The left side of the face is red, warm and swollen, along with pain. The pain improves with the application of heat. It is also illuminated by absolute tranquility. The pain may radiate to the head, left ear and left side of the neck. Pain may be associated with excessive tearing from the left eye. It is also indicated when pain radiates from the left cheekbone to the left eye.
5. Kali Bichrome – For sinusitis pain
Kali Bichrome is a useful medicine for treating facial pain caused by sinusitis. In cases where this is necessary, the pain is usually felt on the forehead above the eyes, the root of the nose or the cheeks. In addition, thick, yellow or greenish discharge may appear from the nose or the discharge may drip from the back of the nose into the throat, i.e. PND – post-nasal drip. There may be a nasal blockage.
6. Merc Sol – From toothache
This drug is well indicated when pain from painful teeth radiates to the face and even to the ears. The pain can be of the tearing or shooting type. The affected tooth may be rotten. Gingivitis may also be present. Swelling over the cheek may be present on the affected side of the tooth. The pain gets worse when you eat something cold or hot. Relief is obtained by rubbing the affected tooth with the cheek.
7. Hecla Lava – From rotten teeth or after tooth extraction
This medicine is very suitable for the treatment of facial pain caused by rotten teeth or after tooth extraction. The pain is located above the jaw area. Swelling may also be present. The affected area is painful to the touch. The pain makes it difficult to eat and sleep.
8. Silicea – For pain due to gum infection or tooth abscess
Silicea is a very important medicine for the treatment of pain in the cheeks or face, or infections of the gums or tooth abscess. In cases where this is necessary, there is pain and inflammation of the gums. There is throbbing pain in the teeth. This pain tends to radiate from the teeth to the cheek or face. The pain gets worse at night.
9. Rhus Tox – For pain due to TMJ disorder
This medicine is beneficial for controlling pain arising from TMJ disorder, especially due to joint inflammation. It is indicated when pain occurs in a jaw joint. It is accompanied by stiffness. Heat or pressure on the joint relieves the pain.