Print OverviewTrigeminal neuralgia (try-JEM-ih-nul nu-RAL-juh) is a condition that causes intense pain similar to an electric shock on one side of the face. It affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries signals from the face to the brain. Even light touch from brushing your teeth or putting on makeup may trigger a jolt of pain. Trigeminal neuralgia can be long-lasting. It's known as a chronic pain condition. People with trigeminal neuralgia may at first experience short, mild episodes of pain. But the condition can get worse, causing longer periods of pain that happen more often. It's more common in women and people older than 50. But trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, doesn't mean living a life of pain. It usually can be managed with treatment.Products & ServicesA Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health BookNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital EditionShow more products from Mayo Clinic Symptoms Branches of the trigeminal nerve Enlarge image Close Branches of the trigeminal nerve Branches of the trigeminal nerve Trigeminal neuralgia results in pain occurring in an area of the face supplied by one or more of the three branches of the trigeminal nerve. Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms may include one or more of these patterns: Episodes of intense shooting or jabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock. Sudden episodes of pain or pain triggered by touching the face, chewing, speaking or brushing your teeth. Episodes of pain lasting from a few seconds to several minutes. Pain that occurs with facial spasms. Episodes of pain lasting days, weeks, months or longer. Some people have periods when they experience no pain. Pain in areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve. These areas include the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums or lips. Less often, the eye and forehead may be affected. Pain on one side of the face at a time. Pain focused in one spot. Or the pain may be spread in a wider pattern. Pain that rarely occurs while sleeping. Episodes of pain that become more frequent and intense over time. When to see a doctorSee your healthcare professional if you experience pain in your face, particularly if it's long-lasting or comes back after going away. Also get medical attention if you have chronic pain that doesn't go away with pain medicine that you buy off the shelf. Request an appointment There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. 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Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry Causes Trigeminal neuralgia Enlarge image Close Trigeminal neuralgia Trigeminal neuralgia Trigeminal neuralgia is caused by a disruption in the trigeminal nerve's function. In trigeminal neuralgia, the trigeminal nerve's function is disrupted. Contact between a blood vessel and the trigeminal nerve at the base of the brain often causes the pain. The blood vessel may be an artery or a vein. This contact puts pressure on the nerve and doesn't allow it to function as usual. But while compression by a blood vessel is a common cause, there are many other potential causes. Multiple sclerosis or a similar condition that damages the myelin sheath protecting certain nerves can cause trigeminal neuralgia. A tumor pressing against the trigeminal nerve also can cause the condition. Some people may experience trigeminal neuralgia as a result of a stroke or facial trauma. An injury of the nerve due to surgery also can cause trigeminal neuralgia. TriggersSeveral triggers may set off the pain of trigeminal neuralgia, including: Shaving. Touching your face. Eating. Drinking. Brushing your teeth. Talking. Putting on makeup. A light breeze blowing over your face. Smiling. Washing your face. Risk factorsResearch has found that some factors put people at higher risk of trigeminal neuralgia, including: Sex. Women are more likely than men to experience trigeminal neuralgia. Age. Trigeminal neuralgia is more common among people 50 and older. Certain conditions. For example, hypertension is a risk factor for trigeminal neuralgia. In addition, people with multiple sclerosis are at higher risk of trigeminal neuralgia. By Mayo Clinic Staff Trigeminal neuralgia care at Mayo Clinic Request an appointment Diagnosis & treatment Dec. 28, 2023 Print Show references Ho CC, et al. Trigeminal neuralgia. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 16, 2023. Trigeminal neuralgia. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/trigeminal-neuralgia. Accessed Oct. 16, 2023. Loscalzo J, et al., eds. Trigeminal neuralgia, Bell's palsy, and other cranial nerve disorders. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 21st ed. McGraw Hill; 2022. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Oct. 16, 2023. Benson HT, et al., eds. Orofacial pain. In: Practical Management of Pain. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 16, 2023. Trigeminal neuralgia. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/neurologic-disorders/neuro-ophthalmologic-and-cranial-nerve-disorders/trigeminal-neuralgia?query=Trigeminal%20neuralgia#. Accessed Oct. 16, 2023. Ferri FF. Trigeminal neuralgia. In: Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2024. Elsevier; 2024. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 16, 2023. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Sept. 4, 2023. Araya EI, et al. Trigeminal neuralgia: Basic and clinical aspects. Current Neuropharmacology. 2020; doi:10.2174/1570159X17666191010094350. Gambeta E, et al. Trigeminal neuralgia: An overview from pathophysiology to pharmacological treatments. Molecular Pain. 2020; doi:10.1177/1744806920901890. Lambru G, et al. Trigeminal neuralgia: A practical guide. Practical Neurology. 2021; doi:10.1136/practneurol-2020-002782. Bendtsen L, et al. Advances in diagnosis, classification, pathophysiology and management of trigeminal neuralgia. Lancet Neurology. 2020; doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30233-7. Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 19, 2023. Yin Z, et al. Acupuncture methods for primary trigeminal neuralgia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022; doi:10.1155/2022/3178154. Pollock BE, et al. Prospective comparison of posterior fossa exploration and stereotactic radiosurgery dorsal root entry zone target as primary surgery for patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Neurosurgery. 2010; doi:10.1227/01.NEU.0000377861.14650.98. Zhu J, et al. Microvascular decompression can effectively reduce arterial blood pressure in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery. 2023; doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.107945. Kissoon NR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Oct. 20, 2023. Pan S-L, et al. Increased risk of trigeminal neuralgia after hypertension: A population-based study. Neurology. 2011; doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182343354. 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There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview. Email Address 1 ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry