What Causes Pins And Needles Sensation In The Forehead?

Posted on Tue, 14 Feb 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 Answered on

Tue, 14 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Every so often, I have an area on my forehead, just above my left eye, that gets sensitive. If I touch that area, or hair in the area (brow), I get a shooting pain that feels like needles piercing me. It lasts for a second or two but is very painful. I've had this happen before where it lasted for a few months & disapeared after an especially painful episode. It was gone for a few months & is now back. I'm a 46 year old male in good health. My email address is: YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Explained

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome

I appreciate your concern

Based on your description, it's trigeminal neuralgia also known as tic douloureux.

A neurologist should be consulted to advise necessary brain imaging if needed to exclude causes like multiple sclerosis and any posterior fossa neoplasm.

Carbemezepine is the first line drug for trigeminal neuralgia.

Surgery and local alcohol injection are reserved for those that don't respond to medication.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar