We all experience odd twinges, tingles, and ticks at times. Some people have these little spasms fairly frequently while others only experience them occasionally. Of course, no matter how often they happen, they definitely feel strange. They can make you wonder if there’s some underlying cause for them that you should be concerned about or if you can do anything to stop them.
Nose twitching is one of the most common of those situations, and it can catch you off-guard. Read on to learn more about the typical nose twitching causes to better understand why those annoying, and sometimes uncomfortable, movements happen.
Muscle Fatigue and Stress
Muscle fatigue and stress are a couple of the most common reasons why a person’s nose might twitch. You might have had your eyelid twitch when you were tired or tense or you’d been staring at a computer screen for a little too long. The same thing can happen with the muscles and nerves of your nose. Stress is often an underlying cause as well. It can bring about muscle tension and trigger the release of adrenaline and other chemicals that affect your muscles and nerves, including those in your face.
Stimulants
Stimulants like caffeine and energy drinks are prime culprits in facial twitching too. They put your nervous system in high gear and can make your nerves and muscles more sensitive. Though stimulants can give you a much-needed boost when you’re fatigued or having trouble concentrating, they may overstimulate in some cases.
Electrolyte Imbalances
Your body needs certain electrolytes in just the right amounts to function properly. Potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium are among the most important for muscle and nerve health and functionality. If your electrolyte levels get too low, you might experience muscle cramps and spasms not only in your nose but all over your body. Low electrolyte levels can also cause dizziness, confusion, heart palpitation, and many other problems.
Trigeminal Nerve Inflammation
Another common cause of nose twitching is inflammation of the trigeminal nerve. That the nerve that controls facial movement and sensation. It can become inflamed because of sinus pressure and many other problems. If it does, it might not control the muscles in your nose as well as it should.
Allergies
Allergies may trigger nose twitching as well. Pollen, pet dander, dust, and other allergens can irritate your nasal passages. That may make the nerves in that area more sensitive and cause tingling or twitching. You’ll most likely experience sneezing, itchy eyes, and other symptoms along with nose twitching if you’re suffering from allergies.
Repetitive Facial Movements
If you have a habit of repeatedly making certain facial movements, that may cause your nose to twitch. Furrowing your brows, biting your lip, raising an eyebrow, wrinkling your nose, and many other movements can trigger nose twitching if you do them frequently enough. They can put strain on all the muscles of your face, which may stimulate the muscles and nerves that control the nose.
Dealing With Nose Twitching
For most people, nose twitching is a harmless occasional problem. Though it may be annoying, it’s not a sign of serious underlying issues. Stress on the nerves and muscles of the face are primary causes. However, if twitching is accompanied by coordination problems, weakness, trembling, or other troubling symptoms, that could be a sign of a neurological condition that warrants medical attention.