Experiencing a burning sensation on any part of your body can be unsettling, and when it occurs on your face, particularly on the left side, it can be a cause for concern. The location of this sensation can often provide clues to its underlying cause. While a burning feeling might be fleeting and harmless, persistent or severe burning on the left side of your face warrants attention.
Here we explore some of the common reasons why you might be experiencing this uncomfortable symptom and when it’s important to seek professional medical advice.
Neurological Factors
One of the primary categories of causes for a burning sensation on the left side of the face involves the nervous system. Nerves in your face are responsible for transmitting sensations, and irritation or damage to these nerves can manifest as burning pain.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: This condition is a well-known cause of severe facial pain. It affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by episodes of intense, stabbing, or electric shock-like pain, often on one side of the face. While it can affect either side, it commonly presents as sharp, burning pain that can be triggered by simple actions like touching your face, chewing, or even a breeze.
Occipital Neuralgia: Although primarily affecting the back of the head and neck, occipital neuralgia can sometimes radiate pain forward, causing a burning sensation that might be felt in the face, including the left side. This condition involves the occipital nerves that run from the top of the spinal cord to the scalp. The pain is often described as piercing, throbbing, or burning.
Migraines and Cluster Headaches: These severe headache disorders can also present with facial pain. Migraines, while typically known for head pain, can sometimes cause pain or unusual sensations in the face. Cluster headaches, known for their excruciating pain around one eye, can also cause radiating pain that might be perceived as a burning sensation on the side of the face affected.
Bell’s Palsy: This condition causes sudden weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles, typically on one side of the face. While the main symptom is muscle weakness, some individuals with Bell’s Palsy can experience pain or unusual sensations, including burning or tingling, on the affected side of their face.
Infections
Infections can also lead to a burning sensation on the left side of the face. These can range from viral infections affecting nerves to bacterial infections of the skin or sinuses.
Shingles (Herpes Zoster): Shingles is caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After chickenpox, the virus can lie dormant in nerve tissue. When it reactivates as shingles, it can cause a painful rash and burning sensation along nerve pathways. If shingles affects the trigeminal nerve, it can cause a burning sensation on one side of the face.
Sinus Infections (Sinusitis): Inflammation and infection of the sinuses can cause facial pain and pressure. While sinus pain is often described as pressure or aching, it can sometimes manifest as a burning sensation in the face, depending on which sinuses are affected and the severity of the inflammation.
Dental Infections: Infections in the teeth or gums, particularly in the upper left jaw, can sometimes radiate pain and cause a burning sensation in the cheek or jaw area on the left side of the face.
Musculoskeletal Issues
Problems with muscles and joints in the face and jaw can also contribute to facial burning sensations.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders: The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ disorders can cause pain in the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. This pain can sometimes radiate to the face and be perceived as a burning sensation, particularly if muscle tension and inflammation are involved on the left side of the jaw and face.
Skin Irritation and Conditions
While less likely to be isolated to just one side of the face unless due to specific contact, skin issues can still be considered.
Contact Dermatitis: Irritants or allergens coming into contact with the skin on the left side of your face can cause a burning sensation. This could be due to new skincare products, cosmetics, soaps, or even environmental factors.
Sunburn: If the left side of your face has been exposed to excessive sun, sunburn can cause a burning sensation. However, sunburn typically affects exposed areas more broadly, not just one side of the face unless sun exposure was uneven.
Psychological Factors
Stress and anxiety can sometimes manifest physically, and in some cases, this can include facial sensations. While less common as a direct cause of localized burning pain, psychological factors can exacerbate or contribute to the perception of pain and discomfort.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While some causes of a burning sensation on the left side of your face might be minor and temporary, it’s crucial to know when to seek medical advice. Consult a doctor if you experience any of the following:
- Persistent or Severe Pain: If the burning sensation is intense, doesn’t subside, or worsens over time.
- Accompanying Symptoms: If the burning sensation is accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Muscle weakness or paralysis on the face
- Rash or blisters
- Headache, especially severe headache
- Sinus congestion or discharge
- Dental pain
- Swelling, redness, or warmth in the affected area
- Numbness or tingling
- Vision changes
- Fever
Conclusion
A burning sensation on the left side of your face can stem from a variety of causes, ranging from nerve-related issues like trigeminal neuralgia and shingles to infections, TMJ disorders, and even skin irritations. Understanding the potential causes can help you better describe your symptoms to a healthcare professional. It is essential to pay attention to the nature of the burning sensation, its duration, and any accompanying symptoms. If you are experiencing persistent or concerning burning on the left side of your face, seeking medical evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause and receive the necessary treatment to alleviate your discomfort and address any potential underlying medical conditions.
