OpenHealth Q&A

Numbness on One Side of My Face After Sleeping on My Phone

I wanted to share a concern that arose recently. About three days ago, I dozed off with my face resting on my phone. Upon waking, I noticed a faint red mark along my right eyebrow, which was pressed against the edge of the phone case. The mark extended vertically across the middle of the eyebrow. Initially, there was a bit of numbness in that area and just above it, but I didn’t look into it too closely at the time. Yesterday during my face washing routine, I realized that the numbness had progressed to my hairline and slightly beyond it, nearing the top of my head. On the side of my ear, I began to feel some sensation returning, just past the outer edge of the eyebrow. In summary, I have no feeling from the eyebrow upwards in a region stretching from the nose to the brow’s end, and this is confined to that side of my face, while the left side remains unaffected. It’s difficult to gauge whether the numbness is worsening or spreading, but it certainly hasn’t improved. Fortunately, I’m not experiencing any pain, nor do I have issues with muscle control, and there’s no redness or irritation besides the initial mark from waking up. I’ve been consulting Dr. Google, which has suggested a variety of possible conditions, ranging from multiple sclerosis to stroke, and even shingles (I did have shingles on the same side of my body a couple of years ago, primarily affecting my back). After dismissing several of these possibilities due to certain key symptoms being absent, I feel a bit stuck. I plan to visit the emergency room tomorrow if there’s no change, which I suspect will be the case. Most sources I’ve come across recommend seeing a neurologist or a family practice physician as soon as possible. I was simply hoping for some advice to help ease my mind... and to encourage better sleep without using my phone as an impromptu pillow. By the way, the closest self-diagnosis I could find points to potential nerve damage, possibly involving a nerve with a name starting with "tri"—I can’t quite recall the full term. This nerve is reportedly responsible for sensory and motor functions, but I’m not sure what the third role is. Unfortunately, this diagnosis didn’t provide much useful information, except to suggest that numbness typically resolves within minutes to hours, often followed by a fleeting period of ‘pins and needles.’ It’s been days, and I’m still stuck at the initial stage.

Answers (1)

9/6/2025, 8:20:48 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to feel concerned about the numbness you're experiencing on one side of your face. It sounds like you may have caused temporary pressure on a facial nerve while sleeping, leading to the numbness. While it's always wise to be cautious, let's break this down:

Main Points:

1. Possible Nerve Compression: The pressure from your phone against your face may have compressed a nerve, leading to temporary numbness.
2. Monitoring Symptoms: Since the numbness has persisted for several days without other concerning symptoms like pain or weakness, it's generally less likely to be something serious like a stroke.
3. Next Steps: Focus on self-care measures while monitoring your symptoms, and plan to seek medical help if things worsen or change.

Explanation:

Facial numbness can occur when there's pressure on nerves, particularly the trigeminal nerve (which you mentioned). This nerve is responsible for sensation in the face and some motor functions like biting and chewing. If it's compressed, it can lead to numbness or tingling that may take a little time to resolve, especially if there was significant pressure on it.

Next Steps:

1. Avoid Pressure: Be mindful not to rest your face on your phone or any hard surfaces during sleep. Consider using a softer pillow that supports your head and neck appropriately.

2. Gentle Massage: You may try gently massaging the affected area to promote circulation. Use light pressure to avoid aggravating any possible irritation.

3. Warm Compress: A warm (not hot) compress can help relax the muscles and potentially improve blood flow to the area. Apply it for about 10-15 minutes.

4. Hydration and Rest: Ensure you’re drinking enough fluids and getting good quality sleep. Both hydration and restful sleep are important for nerve function and recovery.

5. Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of any changes in the numbness. If you notice any worsening, or if new symptoms develop (such as weakness, vision changes, or severe headache), seek medical attention sooner.

6. Emergency Room Visit: If there’s no improvement or if you develop new symptoms, visiting the emergency room as planned is a sensible choice, as they can assess your condition thoroughly.

It's good that you're taking your symptoms seriously and plan to seek help if necessary. Remember, most cases of temporary nerve compression resolve with time and care. Take care of yourself!