The most common areas of attack are the cheeks and jaw. An attack usually follows some sort of trigger. Between attacks, most people are free of pain. Some may have a dull ache. The causes are not well understood.
Trigeminal neuralgia produces no clinical changes that can be measured.
Therefore, the person's symptoms may be used to diagnose it. The person may favor the area of the face by trying to hold it still. He or she often stops washing and shaving the area and may keep it covered. Tests may be needed to rule out other causes of pain such as tumors or infections of the teeth or sinuses. Certain medicines may relieve the pain.