Sluder neuralgia

Sluder neuralgia is the explanation for some idiopathic facial neuralgia. Nerve fibers of the nerve node “Ganglion pterygopalatinum” are supposed to erroneously stimulate fibers of the nerve trigeminal nerve with its main branches adjacent to it. Inflammation could lead to corresponding damage to the nerve tissue that would allow such an interaction.

Atypical facial pain

Atypical facial pain does not show the character of neuralgia. There are dull permanent pains, mostly of unclear origin. The patients suffer, similar to trigeminal neuralgia, from the psychological stress caused by the pain symptoms and show increased psychological disorders such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders or anxiety disorders. Although it is possible to stimulate the pain fibers due to a previous inflammation with subsequent scarring of the tissue, the psyche of the patient often plays a major role in that clinical picture.

Toothache with neuralgia

If the upper or lower jaw nerve branches in the face are affected, misinterpreted toothache is more common. The nerve branch of the upper jaw is called ramus maxillaris in technical jargon. The nerve branch of the lower jaw is called ramus mandibularis.

If the ramus maxillaris is affected, the pain can spread to the teeth of the upper jaw, the upper lip, the nasal wings, the nasal mucosa and the palate. If the ramus mandibularis is damaged, pain may occur in the lower lip, tongue and teeth in the lower jaw. Frequently, those affected bite the jaw together reflexively during the pain attack. Due to the typical pain character of the attack, actual toothache can be distinguished. You can read more about toothache here.

Is neuralgia contagious?

Neuralgias are generally not contagious. An inflammation of the facial nerve can have various causes. Shingles on the face and other infections can develop into neuralgia.

If the facial nerves are temporarily irritated due to a cold, the cold is contagious. Shingles on the face, for example, can also be contagious for people who have not yet experienced chickenpox. These people can therefore contract chickenpox. But inflammations of the facial nerve branches or a classic trigeminal neuralgia are not contagious according to current knowledge.