Facial prickling and tiny twitches

[Frenchdressing]

For around 6 weeks I have noticed my face and scalp feel a bit prickly.Even my nose sometimes ! I also experience a feeling around my face where it’s like a feather moving around. The intermittent twitches are tiny and occur anywhere but have had them mainly in the left. Under my eye and once on my chin. My left ear gets blocked occasionally.

I scared myself by thinking it was hemifacial spasm and I’m not discounting this as it’s left side but honestly the tickly, prickly feeling that moves around my face and head is worse.

im 60 and otherwise feel fine. No twitches or weakness on body. I have been to gp who suggested my facial nerves are irritated but I have no idea way! Obviously I will return if it worsens.

Just wondering if anyone else experienced this and what it turned out to be. One Google search (I know…) suggested MS! But another said stress and tiredness can upset our facial nerves. I wonder about low B12 as I have an absorption issue.

I honestly feel like there are tiny little explosions going off around my head and face. I can distract myself but then worrying brings them back!

I have awful health anxiety at the best of times. Any suggestions? ( sorry it was so long)

I had something similar for about 2 weeks then it manifested itself into shingles. Could it be that? At the time it felt like I had the beginnings of Bell’s palsy or something

Thanks. Would shingles take so long to manifest? I did think that at first though.

I’m not sure, you’d need to check with a GP. Keep a look out for little spot type things around your scalp and edge of your face, mine started by the hairline of my temples. Brushing my hair was awful, my scalp was so painful. Of course if things go on longer or get worse definitely go back to your GP for a second opinion.

Honestly please don’t leave it to the imaginings of non-professionals. Go to your GP with a list of symptoms and times it happens and for how long it has been happening.
There are myriad things this could be. Some are innocuous like Vitamin B12 deficiency and some are much more sinister. Nobody here can diagnose you and they absolutely shouldn’t try.
Regardless, the sooner you go, the sooner you get an ACCURATE diagnosis.

Yes I’ve been to GP and a waiting to go back. He asked me to return if things didn’t settle down. I appreciate that MN isn’t a substitute for medical advice. It’s just sometimes useful to see if someone has experienced anything similar.

Hi OP,

I've had the facial prickling and tiny twitches, also also involuntary arm twitches and wasn't able to raise my left arm. It was down to low B12 so I th8nk you should get your GP to investigate this more.

After having symptoms and no answers through different tests I looked online and they came up as symptoms to low B12, I said this to my GP who did the blood tests, very low B12.

Once they loaded me up on B12 the symptoms all disappeared.

Thankyou. I have had low B12 in the past actually. I am going to suggest a blood test as haven’t had one for ages. I am coeliac and have poor gut absorption at the best of times.

If you have poor gut absorption you probably need b12 injections. What is the cause of your absorption issues? Don't take any supplements in the meantime as this can affect blood results. B12 can stay in your system for months.

Edit - just seen your coeliac, you most likely need injections but definitely get your bloods checked anyway. I have autoimmune gastritis and need injections too. If your b12 is low they should do a blood test to check for intrinsic factor antibodies and parietial cell antibodies to see if you have pernicious anaemia aka autoimmune gastritis.

I have something similar connected to chronic migraine.

My immediate thought was a deficiency of some kind or metabolic disorder - did the GP do a blood test? It can of course be caused by stress too.

Google says
Muscle twitching (fasciculations) can serve as physical evidence of an underlying metabolic disorder or nutritional deficiency. When the chemical environment surrounding nerves and muscles is altered by metabolic dysfunction, it disrupts normal electrical signaling and causes muscle fibers to fire involuntarily. 1, 2, 3]

Common Deficiencies Leading to Twitching
Nerves rely on a strict balance of minerals (electrolytes) to transmit signals. A shortage of these nutrients leads to an over-excitable nervous system: 1, 2]

• Magnesium Deficiency: Magnesium regulates calcium levels within muscle cells. When it is low, calcium flows unchecked, causing continuous muscle contraction and hyper-irritable nerves. 1, 2]
• Calcium Deficiency (Hypocalcemia): Severe lack of calcium alters nerve cell membranes, forcing them to fire spontaneously. This can progress from minor twitching to widespread, painful spasms known as tetany. 1]
• Potassium Deficiency (Hypokalemia): Potassium is essential for the resting state of nerve and muscle cells. Low levels prevent muscles from relaxing properly, resulting in cramps and twitching. 1]
• Vitamin D Deficiency: Because Vitamin D is necessary for the body to absorb calcium and magnesium, a deficiency indirectly destabilizes nerve signaling and triggers spasms. 1, 2]
• Vitamin B Complex Deficiencies: Vitamins like B12 protect the myelin sheath (the protective coating of nerves). A deficiency can lead to peripheral nerve irritation and subsequent twitching. 1, 2]

Metabolic Disorders That Trigger Twitching
Systemic metabolic conditions affect how the body filters waste, regulates hormones, and processes energy, all of which directly impact nerve function:

Chronic Kidney Disease / Uremia
Thyroid Disorders (Hyperthyroidism)
Uncontrolled Diabetes
Liver problems

A blood test will rule all these in or out.

I’ve had prickly feelings in my face and mouth for five weeks now along with random short bursts of pain and numbness around my face and head that come and go all day.
I’m waiting blood results for low B12 and have temporarily come off a BP medication in case it’s a reaction.

I do have Hemifacial spasm, and it did begin with odd sensations and slight twitching around the eye. It also took almost 18 months for a diagnosis, and 2 misdiagnosis to get there. Try to take videos and photos when you get the twitching, this helps the GP. Also, HFS is very rare, so many GPs are not great at diagnosing it

Please let me know outcome of your tests.

thanks all.

Benign fasciculation syndrome?

I was thinking that.

i used to get yearly blood tests as part of supporting me with coeliac disease but these were phased out where I am. Last couple of blood tests on my record show B12 as 290 which is within range but I think is low? Might account for my hairloss.

i almost wasn’t able to give blood last time I went as I was borderline for the anaemia test they do. Hmmm I do think something is up.

I have a lot of family stuff going on too which means my stress levels are high. Happy days.

Back to the docs I think.