Headaches, injuries, and more: Possible causes of facial pain (plus some natural remedies)

Facial pain is common – usually coming from injuries, headaches, and infections. Fortunately, there are many remedies for facial pain, and some can even be found in your own home.

Here are several common causes of facial pain, and natural remedies you can use at home. (h/t to MedicalNewsToday.com)

Injuries

Injuries may come from falls, impact trauma, or other similar accidents. Pain may come with tingling in the area, numbness, and even paralysis. Wrapping the area with an ice pack is the first thing you should do. If the pain persists, there are several homeopathic treatments for you to consider, such as Arnica (mountain daisy), which can be applied topically to the affected area to relieve pain.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the sinuses. It will most likely be caused by a cold and is likely to pass in time. The pain that comes with it can be remedied by drinking fluids, wrapping your head with a warm towel and letting the steam decongest your sinuses, or drinking chicken noodle soup.

Headaches

Depending on which part of the head the pain is coming from, your headache can be anything from cluster headaches to migraines. Rest coupled with aromatherapy can help. Relax, turn down the lights, and fill up the diffuser with lemon essential oil. Barring that, there are other remedies that you can find from your own home. You can load yourself up with vitamin B2, brew a pot of chamomile tea, or drink lots of water.

Dental abscess

A dental abscess is when your gums become infected and a buildup of pus occurs, usually from tooth decay or other injuries to the teeth. Your gums may start to look red and swollen, you may develop a fever, and an unpleasant smell may come from your mouth. Gargling with echinacea tea can get rid of the infection. After the pain passes, it’s a good idea to reconsider how you keep your teeth healthy.

Temporomandibular joint pain

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are the two joints that connect your jaw to the rest of your skull. TMJ disorders are usually caused by injury, clenching and teeth grinding, or poor posture. Massaging the area and then placing either an ice or heat pack on the affected area can usually resolve the pain. Jaw exercises and relaxation techniques may help prevent TMJ pain from reoccurring.

Sialadenitis

Sialadenitis is a condition where the salivary gland becomes infected. It can result in pain, swelling, and fever. Applying a warm compress can reduce the swelling. Drinking several glasses of lemon-infused water, as well as sucking on sugar-free lemon candy or plain old sour lemons, can help stimulate the saliva, which will help clear out the infection.

Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (TGN), is a chronic pain disorder that affects the trigeminal nerve, or the nerve associated with sensation in the face and movements like chewing and biting. The nerve has several branches that connect to the scalp, forehead, cheeks, lips and lower jaw. TGN pain tends to be localized and comes in episodes lasting days or weeks. Natural remedies include applying homeopathic spegelia or capsaicin (cayenne pepper) cream. Finding out and avoiding what triggered TGN in the first place can help stop it from reoccurring, and acupuncture can help relieve the pain if it returns.

Consider small changes to your lifestyle here and there in order to avoid many causes of facial pain. If the pain does come, a lot of it can be remedied by things found at home, so taking stock of what you have in your kitchen now is a good idea.

Sources include:

MedicalNewsToday.com

Healthline.com 1

TheHealthy.com

Livestrong.com

MedicineNet.com

TMJ.org

Healthline.com 2

LiveStrong.com