Occipital neuralgia occurs when the occipital nerves, or the nerves that run from the top of the spinal cord up through the scalp, are injured or inflamed. People often mistake sharp pain behind the ear to be the result of a migraine or similar types of headaches, as symptoms can be similar.
People who suffer with occipital neuralgia describe the chronic pain as piercing and throbbing. They also describe it as similar to the feeling of receiving an electric shock in the following places:. Occipital neuralgia happens as a result of pressure or irritation to the occipital nerves. It typically only appears on one side of the head. In some cases, the pressure or irritation maybe because of inflammation , overly tight muscles, or an injury. Often, doctors cannot find a cause for occipital neuralgia.
This infection is much more common in children than adults and generally responds to treatment with no complications. Mastoiditis causes a headache behind the ear as well as fever , discharge from the ear, tiredness , and hearing loss in the affected ear. The temporomandibular joints TMJ are the ball and socket joints of the jaw. These joints can become inflamed and painful.
While most people with TMJ inflammation feel the pain in the jaw and behind the ear, others may just experience a headache behind the ear. Often, it can start in the neck and work its way up to the back of the head. People experiencing TMJ may sense jaw tightness and pain in addition to a headache behind the ear. The main causes of headache behind the ear often overlap. It is crucial to get a proper diagnosis so the condition can be treated appropriately.
For diagnosis, a doctor will ask a person questions about medical history. Information about any recent head, neck, or spine injuries should be included. After asking questions, a doctor will probably do a physical examination.
For this, the doctor will press firmly around the back of the head and base of the skull in an attempt to reproduce the pain through touch. This examination checks for occipital neuralgia, as this condition is sensitive to the touch in most cases.
Some additional steps in diagnosis may include a shot to numb the nerve. If a person experiences relief then occipital neuralgia is likely to be the cause of the pain. Symptoms of occipital neuralgia include continuous aching, burning and throbbing, with intermittent shocking or shooting pain that generally starts at the base of the head and goes to the scalp on one or both sides of the head.
Patients often have pain behind the eye of the affected side of the head. Additionally, a movement as light as brushing hair may trigger pain.
The pain is often described as migraine-like and some patients may also experience symptoms common to migraines and cluster headaches. Occipital neuralgia can be very difficult to diagnose because of its similarities with migraines and other headache disorders.
Therefore, it is important to seek medical care when you begin feeling unusual, sharp pain in the neck or scalp and the pain is not accompanied by nausea or light sensitivity. Begin by addressing the problem with your primary care physician. They may refer you to a specialist. Diagnosis of occipital neuralgia is tricky, because there is not one concrete test that will reveal a positive or negative diagnosis.
Typically, a physical examination and neurological exam will be done to look for abnormalities. If the physical and neurological exams are inconclusive, a doctor may order further imaging to rule out any other possible causes of the pain. A magnetic resonance imaging MRI test may be ordered, which can show three-dimensional images of certain body structures and can reveal any impingement. There are several treatments that can help TMJ, including:. With rest and treatment, pain due to occipital neuralgia should improve.
Continued stress on the neck can cause symptoms to return. Symptoms of mastoiditis should improve within days of starting the antibiotics. Most people make a full recovery. To be sure the infection is gone, you must continue the full course of antibiotics, even if symptoms have improved.
In some cases, TMJ can get better without treatment. Recovery time depends on the severity of the condition and the treatment. In women, fluctuating hormone levels are a major contributing factor in chronic headaches and menstrual migraines. Learn about causes, treatment, and….
When taken in safe doses, magnesium can effectively prevent migraines for many people. Learn more about if it's right for you. Find out what's causing your early morning headaches. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. What Causes a Headache Behind the Ear? Medically reviewed by Euna Chi, M. A different type of headache Most people have experienced a headache at some point in their lives.
Read on to learn more about headache behind the ear and when you should see a doctor. What causes pain behind the ear? When to see a doctor. How is it treated? How to prevent headaches. Read this next.
Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Magnesium for Migraines When taken in safe doses, magnesium can effectively prevent migraines for many people. What Causes Early Morning Headaches?
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