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Pain in the Facial Area - Facial Pain

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Facial pain refers to pain or discomfort in the front of the head. The face includes the eyes, nose, mouth, forehead, cheeks, and chin.

What is going on in the body?

Pain in the face can occur for many reasons. It can be mild or severe, and involve any area of the face. Most causes of facial pain are not life threatening, but a few are serious.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

There are many possible causes of facial pain. Common causes include:

trauma or injury to the face, such as being hit

irritation of the skin of the face, such as from an insect bite or sunburn

skin infections, such as cellulitis

chronic sinusitis or acute sinusitis

temporal arteritis, which can cause forehead or jaw pain and is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. An autoimmune disorder is one in which the person's body attacks its own tissues for no known reason.

allergic-type conditions, such as seasonal allergies, which can cause a burning sensation or even pain in the eyes from inflammation. Cheekbone pain from sinus congestion may also occur.

headaches, especially migraines

trigeminal neuralgia, a type of nerve pain that occurs for unknown reasons

dental cavities

diseases of the temporomandibular joint, where the back of the jaw attaches to the skull

a tumor or cancer in or under the skin of the face, such as skin cancer

a salivary gland tumor

Other causes are also possible. Sometimes, no cause can be found.

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