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numbing sensation on head

numbing sensation on head


  I have an area on the upper left side of my head that has a numbing sensation. It is approx. 2 to 3 inches in diameter.  It feels similar when my hand of foot "goes to sleep". Is this something I should be concerned with or will it pass in a few days?
  Thank you for your help
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Depends. It's probably benign, but here's some information to help you decide whether you need to see a doctor.
The sensation to the scalp is provided by nerves which come either directly from the brain or from the upper part of the spinal cord. The face, from around the hairline down to the jaw and chin, in front of your ears, is served by the nerve(s) coming from the brain, called the trigeminal (cranial 5) nerve. The back of the scalp is served by the upper cervical nerves.
Scalp numbness is often due to transient pinching of one of the cervical nerve roots with just the right (wrong) position of the head or neck. It's not necessarily bad, but sometimes shows up in patients who also have other symptoms and they wonder what it's from.
If you have symptoms other than just this numbness, or if it persists more than a few days, I'd see a doctor. There may be "nothing wrong" which is OK - I'd just hate to make such a statement without in person contact: interview and physical (neurologic) exam.
I hope this helps. CCF MD mdf.




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