Burning sensation & reduced sensitivity in right cheek and temple area

[hgosha]

Burning sensation & reduced sensitivity in right cheek and temple area. Gradually disappears within a week.

It happened to me couple of times few years back. In both cases I was carrying my son on my shoulders a day before the symptoms.

This morning it started again, but as far as I remember I didn't do anything unusual yesterday, except for using new shoe orthotics to help with my flat-foot.

What could it be and what could I do about it? Please help!

[hgosha]

Thank you very much for answering my question! I think I didn't provide enough information.

I'm 33 years old.

The first two instances of reduced sensitivity at the right side of my face occurred about 2 years ago. Both lasted for about a week, then gradually everything was back to normal. The current one started 3 days ago and it is almost gone now.

Since last spring I've been suffering from aching joints at legs, feet and knees + some mild occasional headaches. I've been refereed to bones&joints specialist who suggested mild case of arthritis, although no test were made.

Also, there is a numbness area on my back, which appeared about 7 years ago. I've been referred to MRI scan that came normal.

Other then that I don't have any other medical history.

[Christopher R Newey, DO]

Thanks for using the forum. I am happy to address your questions, and my answer will be based on the information you provided here. Please make sure you recognize that this forum is for educational purposes only, and it does not substitute for a formal office visit with a doctor.

Without the ability to examine and obtain a history, I can not tell you what the exact cause of the symptoms is. However I will try to provide you with some useful information.

The burning sensation of the right cheek is probably not related to the foot orthotics or carrying your child on your shoulders. This area is supplied by a cranial nerve which arises from the brainstem. Decreased sensation of this region can have several etiologies. Some being anxiety, prior injury to that area, or anatomical variation. There have been cases of benign tumors called meningiomas affecting the nerve or nerve cell body.

I would suggest that if you are older than the age of 50 to have a test called ESR checked to rule out temporal arteritis. Additionally, if you have headaches and not normally a person to have headaches, you should be evaluated. If this is a new problem, I would encourage you to be evaluated by your primary care physician. Depending on what he/she discovers on exam and history, you may need neuroimaging (i.e., MRI).

Thank you for this opportunity to answer your questions, I hope you find the information I have provided useful, good luck.