Trigeminal neuralgia or tic douloureux is a debilitating pain condition. Patients suffering from this type of facial pain often describe it as one of the worst pains that they have experienced. Pain is typically electric-shock-like and affects the same location of the face (along the course of one of the trigeminal nerves). Patients often have triggers such as cold air, brushing, shaving, or washing the face. It can affect males or females and tends to occur after the age of 50. Trigeminal neuralgia is thought to occur due to irritation of the trigeminal nerve; uncommonly, it can occur due to a blood vessel applying pressure on the nerve in the brain, a brain tumor, or multiple sclerosis.

Diagnosis involves history, examination, and MRI of the brain to rule out a brain pathology. Treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia ranges from medications, steroid injections, antibiotic injections, Botulinum toxin injections, topical medications, etc. If you suspect that you are suffering from Trigeminal neuralgia, consult your primary physician right away. Most cases respond well to anti-seizure medications (such as Oxcarbazepine or Gabapentin). Cases that do not respond to medications should seek consultation with a specialist, including an orofacial pain specialist, a neurologist, or a neurosurgeon.