HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Causes One Sided Numbness, Unilateral Tearing, And Earpain?

Posted on Wed, 2 Apr 2014

Question: I have left side facial and head numbness occasionally with occasional ear pain (like I slept on it wrong) and my ear sometimes feels full. I also have tearing only in my left eye. I have been previously diagnosed with dry eyes.

Answered by Dr. Praveen (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: Bell's Palsy is most likely Detailed Answer: Hello.Thanks for writing on HCM. One sided numbness, unilateral tearing, ear pain/fullness is most likely due to Bell's palsy- temporary paralysis of facial nerve. I would like to know if you have any difficulty in eating, talking or difficulty in closing the left eye lid completely? The diagnosis is more likely in case of above symptoms.Since this condition is reversible you may not panic and it restores to normal within a 2- 4 weeks of treatment. I were to treat by medications such as steroids (prednisolone needs to be calculated based on body weight and tapered gradually over 2-4 weeks), prophylactic antibiotics.Recommend administration of artificial tears twice every half an hour to prevent dryness. Hope this answers your query.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Praveen (8 hours later)

I have had this condition for about a year. I have told my physician numerous times and that is why she kept trying different medications. The pain I have in my ear is occasional and never lasts all day. All the symptoms I have never last for more than 2-3 hours and it's not every day. No difficulty eating or talking. I don't believe I have trouble closing my eye. My doctor has told me to take Zyrtec-d on a reg basis and I have a lot of drainage not only in my throat but nose. I did schedule an appt with an ENT because I don't think continuing to medicate without resolving the problem is a good idea either. I do have a tendency to turn the tv up to a higher level but when talking on the phone I prefer it to be lower.

Answered by Dr. Praveen (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: CT scan rules out hidden infection Detailed Answer: Hi.Thanks for writing me back. Repeated numbness along with ear/nasal complaints can be due to lurking infection in the sinuses etc.This can cause dysfunction of the windpipe and lead to some amount of hearing loss which is why you prefer listening TV at high volume. I am glad to know that you have made the right decision to consult an ENT specialist who is the right choice. In your case I were to do a CT scan of skull and paranasal sinuses to rule out any pockets of infection and treat accordingly. Zyrtec-d is a decongestant and gives symptomatic relief and does not treat the cause. Hope this answers your query.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj