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90 FAMILY ILLNESS

Facial pain

Pain in the face may be sharp and stabbing or dull and throbbing, and is most often caused by an inflammation of structures in the face, such as the sinuses or teeth. Facial pain is usually short-lived, but some types, such as neuralgia, may persist. Consult your doctor if the pain is persistent, unexplained, or is not relieved by analgesics.
Do any of the following apply?
Your scalp is sensitive to touch
You don’ t feel well
START
Where is the pain?
Over one or both temples
ACTION
GO TO ANOTHER CHART Eye pain or irritation, p. 98
Pain comes on when chewing
None of the above
In or around the eye
Elsewhere
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR You may have trigeminal neuralgia( severe pain due to an irritated nerve).
• Try to avoid triggers if possible.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR
OR DENTIST You may have a disorder in the joint between the jaw and the skull.
• Take acetaminophen to relieve the pain.
• Hold a wrapped heating pad against the affected area.
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW You may have temporal arteritis( inflammation of blood vessels around the head), especially if you are over 50.
Which of the following describes your pain?
Stabbing pain when touching the face or chewing
Aching pain on chewing and / or yawning
Dull aching around one or both cheekbones
None of the above
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES You probably have sinusitis, especially if you have recently had a cold and both sides of your face are affected. If only one side is affected, a dental problem, such as an abscess, is more likely.
• Take an analgesic such as acetaminophen.
• Try inhaling steam from a bowl of hot water( p. 165) if you think you have sinusitis.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
OR DENTIST if you do not feel better within 2 days.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR if you cannot identify a possible cause for your facial pain from this chart.