My 20 year old son is complaining that the side of his head feels numb with pins n needles?

Question

we have rang nhs direct but they seem unconcerned as he has no head or ear aches .
He does not drink or smoke or take drugs he had a cold last week but it has cleared.
Any ideas??
I am thinking of taking him to hospital as he said it started last night..

Answer 1

I had similar mate... sinuses.. I took some sudafed and it cleared up but don't take no risks lad. hope he gets better...

Answer 2

hi. I'm an ergonomist so I deal with this kind of thing all the time. Sounds like it could be carpel tunnel syndrome, especially if the tenderness is on your thumb and first 2 fingers. If it is, or if it's any kind of oedema (fluid based swelling) it's better to get it sorted sooner than later. It can get worse, and it's better to know if only to put your mind at ease. For the time being, try eating lots of ginger to open up the capiliaries in the upper limbs (in case it is just retarded circulation). (Ginger tea, root ginger, sugered ginger etc.). Do you work on a lap top? Do you hold your hands above shoulder height very much at work? It can be related to these behaviours (and vibration as someone said) and/or may be hereditary or related to pregnancy. hope this helps.

Answer 3

This type of symptom can be caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. The virus often affects the trigeminal nerve that runs along the bottom of the jaw, and upward to the ear. It usually affects only one side of the body, and starts out out with a tingling or burning sensation.

Most of the time, this type of infection clears up after about 10 days, but it can occasionally cause nerve damage. It would be a good idea to see a doctor.

Answer 4

The blood vessels and nerves, which supply the face and head, originate in the neck and shoulders. Many of these nerves and blood vessels are routed across the head to the face. When the body is under stress these areas of the body are usually the first to become tense. Facial numbness can be very disturbing but is usually nothing to worry about and is usually the result of this tension.

Answer 5

Teeth problems?
Eye problems?
Is he telling you the truth? Feeling numb ok. That is something. Feeling pins and needles is an opposing thing to say at the same time as numb. Which one is it. Numb? or pins and needles.

See the doctor right away.

Answer 6

Might be an ear infection - some antibioptic drops would clear it up. But go see a Doc - the NHS helpline is NOT to be trusted!

Answer 7

He could have pulled or strained a muscle.....get him to try moving his neck in a few different direction to see does it heal it a bit....

I'd also get out the fact that he doesn't drink, smoke or take drugs checked out.....doesn't seem like a normal 20yr old....you better get him on them straight away heaven forbid if he waits until he's 40 to take them up...

Answer 8

Go to the doctor or hospital.

Anything concerning the head shouldn't be taken lightly - and don't trust NHS direct.

Answer 9

I'd go to a doctor or hospital. Does he have any other symptoms? Like nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, loss of balance, vision problems, etc? Does he have any present health issues? Did something happen to bring this on?

Answer 10

Go to the hospital. He may have pinched a nerve. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 11

Without wishing to sound like a harbinger of doom, i'd go to a hospital and get him checked out there, better safe than sorry, as for NHS direct, my GP laughed when i said i'd rung it as they refer to it at my surgery as NHS dire - im guessing he isn't to impressed with them.