Differential Diagnosis for Tingling Forehead
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Migraine: This is often characterized by neurological symptoms including tingling or numbness, which can affect the forehead. The tingling sensation can be a part of the aura phase of a migraine.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Trigeminal Neuralgia: This condition involves sudden, severe, shock-like or stabbing pain typically on one side of the face, but it can also cause tingling sensations in the forehead due to the involvement of the trigeminal nerve.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): MS can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including numbness or tingling in various parts of the body, including the face and forehead, due to demyelination of nerve fibers.
- Hyperventilation Syndrome: This can lead to tingling sensations around the mouth and face, including the forehead, due to respiratory alkalosis causing nerve irritation.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Although less common, tingling in the forehead could be a symptom of a stroke or TIA, especially if accompanied by other neurological deficits such as weakness, vision changes, or speech difficulties. Early recognition is crucial for timely intervention.
- Giant Cell Arteritis: This condition can cause headache, scalp tenderness, and visual disturbances, and less commonly, tingling in the face or forehead. It's a medical emergency due to the risk of vision loss.
- Rare diagnoses
- Lyme Disease: In its later stages, Lyme disease can cause neurological symptoms, including numbness or tingling, though this would be uncommon and typically accompanied by other systemic symptoms.
- Sarcoidosis: This autoimmune disease can affect any part of the body, including the nervous system, leading to a variety of neurological symptoms, including tingling sensations, though this is rare.
- Peripheral Neuropathy: Certain types of peripheral neuropathy can cause tingling sensations in the face, including the forehead, though this is less common than tingling in the hands and feet.