Sudden numbness or weakness in the face is an emergency until proven otherwise. If it comes on suddenly, especially on one side or with arm weakness or speech problems, call 112 or 999 in Ireland, 999 in the UK or 911 in the US. Do this even if it passes.
Many other causes of facial numbness or tingling are less serious. Common ones include a dental injection wearing off, nerve irritation after dental surgery, a migraine aura, and the tingling that can come with anxiety or panic. Shingles can start as tingling in one area of skin before a rash appears.
Numbness that lasts, keeps coming back or slowly spreads is worth a GP appointment. This page covers the face. For tingling in the hands, feet, arms or legs, see our guide to pins and needles.
Get help now
Call 112 or 999 in Ireland, 999 in the UK or 911 in the US if you or someone else suddenly has:
Also call if you have sudden numbness or weakness down one side of the body, sudden loss or blurring of vision, dizziness, or problems with balance. Call even if the symptoms have stopped. Do not drive yourself.
Also call 112, 999 or 911 if numbness comes:
Get an urgent GP appointment the same day (out-of-hours GP if needed, or NHS 111 in the UK) if:
See a GP if:
Feeling in the face is carried mainly by the trigeminal nerve. The NHS describes it as the nerve that carries sensations of pain and touch from your face, teeth and mouth to your brain.
Numbness can come from anywhere along that pathway. It can be the nerve itself, the brain, or a temporary problem such as an anaesthetic. That is why doctors pay close attention to how suddenly it started, which side is affected, and what else is happening.
The FAST test is how the NHS and the HSE describe the main stroke signs. Both also list other symptoms, including:
The NHS says a TIA, or mini-stroke, can cause sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs, and speech or vision problems. The effects last a few minutes to a few hours and fully go within 24 hours. The NHS and HSE both say you should be seen by a specialist within 24 hours.
In the early stages, the NHS says it is not possible to tell a TIA from a full stroke. That is why you should call an ambulance even if the numbness goes away. Read more about the FAST signs and stroke risk factors.
A local anaesthetic numbs the area being treated. The NHS says a tingling or burning feeling as it wears off is a possible side effect. It also lists continuing numbness, weakness or pins and needles. These usually get better within a few minutes or hours.
After wisdom tooth removal, the NHS says nearby nerves can be damaged. This can cause numbness or tingling in the tongue, lips and chin. It usually gets better, but can last a few weeks or months. Tell your dentist if numbness has not gone when you expected.
The NHS says some people get warning signs before a migraine attack, called aura. These include numbness or a tingling that feels like pins and needles, problems with sight, dizziness and difficulty speaking.
Aura symptoms should not last longer than 1 hour. The NHS advises an urgent GP appointment or NHS 111 if aura lasts longer than 1 hour. If this is your first aura, or it feels different from usual, the safer step is to treat it as a possible stroke. If you get migraines, see how to tell migraine apart from other headaches.
The NHS lists numbness or pins and needles among the symptoms of a panic attack. Other symptoms include a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling and a feeling of dread. Most panic attacks last between 5 and 20 minutes.
The NHS also links breathing too quickly, with trembling hands, to pins and needles. Our guide to panic attacks and panic disorder explains when it is worth treating.
A history of anxiety does not explain new one-sided numbness or any of the warning signs above. Get those checked first.
Shingles often starts with a tingling or painful feeling in an area of skin. A rash follows. The NHS says the rash can appear on the face and around the eyes. It can affect your sight or hearing, and make it hard to move one side of your face.
The HSE advises contacting your GP, out-of-hours GP or emergency department immediately if shingles develops around your eyes. Antiviral medicine usually needs to start within 3 days of the rash appearing. A pharmacist can advise.
The NHS lists tingling lips among the symptoms of low blood sugar. Others are hunger, sweating, shaking, feeling anxious and confusion. It usually affects people with diabetes who take insulin or some other diabetes medicines. The NHS says it is rare in people without diabetes.
The NHS describes Bell's palsy as temporary weakness or lack of movement, usually on one side of the face. It usually develops over a few days. Other symptoms include a drooping eyelid or mouth, drooling, a dry mouth, loss of taste and a dry or watering eye.
Bell's palsy is mainly about movement, not feeling. But it can look like a stroke. The NHS says to call 999 if a face droops with arm weakness or speech problems. Otherwise, get an urgent GP appointment. Treatment works better if started within 72 hours. Most people get better within 6 months.
The NHS lists numbness or tingling in different parts of the body among the most common MS symptoms. Others include fatigue, vision problems such as blurred vision or eye pain, and feeling off balance. Symptoms may come and go.
The NHS stresses that these symptoms are common, have many causes, and do not mean you have MS. They are still worth getting checked.
The NHS says a large acoustic neuroma can cause numbness, pain or weakness on one side of the face. This is a non-cancerous growth on the nerve used for hearing and balance. Its usual symptoms develop gradually and include hearing loss in one ear, ringing in the ear and a spinning feeling.
MedlinePlus lists many other possible causes of numbness and tingling. These include nerve injury, some medicines, B vitamin deficiencies, abnormal salt or mineral levels, seizures and infections.
Facial pain has its own set of causes, including jaw joint problems, dental problems and trigeminal neuralgia. Our guide to jaw and facial pain covers these. If pain comes with numbness that does not go away, tell your GP.
This is not a way to diagnose yourself. It shows the details doctors find useful.
MedlinePlus says your doctor will take a medical history and examine you, checking your nervous system carefully. Expect questions such as:
MedlinePlus lists blood tests that may follow, including blood count, blood sugar, thyroid function and vitamin B12. Depending on what the doctor finds, you may need a CT or MRI scan of the head. Nerve conduction studies or referral to a neurologist are other possible next steps.
MedlinePlus advises protecting numb areas from cuts, bumps and burns, because you may not notice an injury. With a numb mouth after dental treatment, take care not to bite your lip or tongue, or burn your mouth with hot drinks.
MedlinePlus also advises not changing or stopping any medicine, or taking large doses of vitamins or supplements, until you have talked to your doctor.
No, but it must be treated as a possible stroke if it comes on suddenly. Call 112, 999 or 911. Doctors would rather check and find something less serious.
The NHS lists numbness or pins and needles among panic attack symptoms. But anxiety should not be assumed. Sudden, one-sided or worsening numbness needs checking first.
The NHS says side effects of a local anaesthetic, including numbness, usually get better within a few minutes or hours. Numbness after wisdom tooth removal can last weeks or months. If you are worried, contact your dentist.
Bell's palsy causes weakness on one side of the face, usually over a few days. A stroke is sudden and often affects the arm or speech too. Both can make the face droop, so if in doubt, call 112, 999 or 911.
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot diagnose the cause of your symptoms. If numbness comes on suddenly, call 112 or 999 (Ireland), 999 (UK) or 911 (US). Talk to your GP or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Reviewed by: Proco Team
Last updated: November 2026