Occasional Sharp Pain Above Right Temple
Headache is one of the most common complaint for which people consult their doctor. Pain in head can originate from the brain itself or the tissues that overlie the skull namely the skin and muscles. It can also be a referred pain from adjacent organs. Fortunately most headaches occur for short duration and recede after sometime, maybe a day or two. Some headaches are chronic and persist for days and weeks. The pain can be all over the head or it can be one sided.
Sharp pain in head above the right ear can occur due to many reasons.
Throbbing pain in right temple Such pain, in the first place, can be a reaction of your brain to stress. Most often, the throbbing pain in the right temple is a manifestation of sharp jumps in intracranial pressure (idiopathic intracranial hypertension), spasms of cerebral vessels or migraines. Occipital neuralgia is a pain disorder caused by irritation or damage to the occipital nerves. Sporadic shock-like or shooting pains occur in conjunction with continuous burning, aching or throbbing pain that begins at the nape of the neck and radiates upward over the back of the head.
The pain may vary in intensity from mild to moderate and in some cases severe shooting pain. Pain of such nature can be extremely discomforting for the person. It may affect his daily activities. Sharp shooting pain above the right ear can also occur during night which keeps the patient awake throughout the night.If you are having headaches above the right ear, the first thing that you should do is to consult your physician. There are many probable causes to produce such headaches. Your doctor after thorough physical examination, medical history and several tests will be able to detect the cause and treat the underlying pathology.
What Causes Sharp Pain In Head Above Right Ear?
Headaches with the localization of the pain in the right temple region can be caused many other medical conditions, which are rare when compared to the causes mentioned above. Some of other cause of pain in the right temple include: inflammation of the sinuses, aneurysms, stroke, clenching of.
Unilateral pain in head above the right ear can be an associated symptom of ear disorder or it can have its origin from the brain. Here are some of the reasons for such type of pain in head.
- Tension headache is one of the common forms of headache. The pain is experienced above the ear on one side of head or it can be bilateral pain. It is generally caused due to tightening of muscles above the right side of ear. Usually the muscles in this area may contract to trigger pain when a person is under stressful situation.
- Herpes zoster is skin condition caused due to virus infection. It can occur anywhere of the body surface. Small fluid filled blisters can develop on skin above the ear. Herpes is a painful condition. Patient suffering from it will experience sharp shooting pain.
- Nummular headaches are typically characterized by pain in certain part of scalp and head. The pain is often experienced above and behind one ear. The skin in painful area is tender to touch. It is caused due to damage to the nerves innervating the scalp skin. The exact cause is not known, but it is suspected to be due to reactivation of herpes virus for this type of headache.
- Carotid artery dissection can produce one sided pain in head behind and above the ear. Carotid artery is the main vessel from the heart which supplies blood to the brain. If right side of carotid artery is dissected it may cause pain above the ear in the head. The pain is sharp and sudden in onset. It can occur soon after traumatic neck injury.
- Mastoiditis is the infection of mastoid bone which is a part of skull bone. The bone lies just behind the ear. Infection in middle ear is responsible for mastoiditis. Pain in head behind and above the ear is one of the symptoms of mastoiditis.
Treatment Options For Sharp Pain In Head
As there are several causes which can lead to pain in head above the ear, managing this condition mainly depends on treating the underlying condition. MRI and CT of brain are usual imaging techniques which many doctors advice to diagnose the condition. Treatment may depend on the underlying disorder.
- In case of tension headache, over the counter pain killers and anti inflammatory medicines often alleviate the symptom. If you are experiencing recurrent tension headaches, patient should seek stress management techniques. Yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture are alternative remedies that are found beneficial in reducing the symptoms.
- Herpes zoster is a viral disease which resolves on its own in 8 to 10 days. However, during this period to alleviate pain, doctors do recommend pain killers. Anti viral medications are also prescribed to shorten the course of disease.
- Applying heat over the area is beneficial in alleviating sharp shooting pain if the cause is nummular headache or tension headache.
- Carotid artery dissection is an emergency and it needs immediate medical treatment. Many people with this condition suffer from stroke. If stroke has not developed doctors try to thin the blood with medications to prevent stroke.
- In case of mastoiditis, surgery may be required to alleviate the symptoms.
Patients suffering pain in one side of head should avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks.
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Isolated headaches are not uncommon, and one of the more persistent ones is a headache above the right eye.
The pain can range from subtle to excruciating, and people will stop at nothing to end that pain above the right eye.
One would often ignore frequent headaches, and most of the headaches resolve on their own.
But at times this pain is not just a random sensation, it may indicate a serious underlying condition. But, what causes headaches above the right eye?
Related Reading:Pressure Points for Headaches and Migraine Pain Relief
What Causes Headaches above Right Eye?
Pain above the right eye on the forehead can ruin your day. The discomfort can result in nausea or confusion.
A head injury from the past may cause lingering skull issues. Fluctuating blood pressure may cause headaches above the right eye.
Various other things can cause pain above the right eye and temple, some of which are listed below:
1. Migraines
A migraine may cause a headache above the right eye. These headaches have a severe focused pain.
It can result in vomiting, confusion, and numbness in some cases. These can be triggered by any number of things and leave you with sharp pain above right eye and temple.
2. Glaucoma
Glaucoma damages your eye’s optic nerves and causes a fluid buildup.
This will cause an increase in pressure behind your eye. Generally, it will cause pain above the right eye on forehead and discomfort.
3. Sinus Infection
Sharp Stabbing Pain Right Temple
Whether it is a sinus infection or other infection, it will cause pain above the right eye.
Your sinuses are very sensitive to the changing weather and can develop infections. This will build up pressure inside the skull and eventually create headaches.
4. Increased Skull Pressure
Your skull is a very finely tuned area. The slightest change to its existence can cause a problem.
Increased pressure triggered by infections, tumors, and trauma will result in pain above the right eye socket and pain over the right eye and temple.
5. Cluster Headaches
Sharp and pricking pain above the right eye could be due to cluster headaches. They are focused and can occur several times a day for weeks and months at a time.
Cluster headaches are usually attributed to the changing histamine hormones, smoking, drinking, or various environmental factors like bright light.
6. Blood Vessel Disorders
Your brain requires the supply of fresh blood throughout the day.
If any of these blood vessels are malfunctioning, it may result in headaches over the right eye and temple. These can be caused by any number of environmental factors or previous health issues.
7. Other Causes
Other causes can trigger headaches above the right eye. Allergies, irritation, or injury may result in pain above the right eye. These things usually cannot be avoided.
Headache above Right Eye Treatments
Pain above the right eye on the forehead is extremely discomforting.
To relieve the pain, there are various headaches over right eye remedies that can be tried at home. You can also consult with a general physician who can offer medicine for these issues.
Mentioned below are a headache above the right eye treatments:
1. Over-the-counter Pain Relievers
Some medications do not require a prescription to relieve headaches above right eyebrow.
Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are two of the most well-known medicines which can provide relief. Make sure you consult with a physician before overlapping two medications.
Also, do not use these for more than ten days at a time. This can cause prolonged damage and a more serious issue.
2. Lie Down
Sometimes you can relieve a headache above the right eye with a simple nap. Lying down takes pressure off of your body and allows the stress to decrease.
Sleeping may also result in a headache going away completely. Relaxing is always the best medicine when it comes to pain over right eye and temple.
Right Temple Sharp Pain
Related Reading:How to Treat Pain in Left Temple of Head?
3. Apply Cold Compresses
Coolness and pressure can help alleviate a headache above right eyebrow. Take a washcloth and soak it in cold water.
Place it on the spot that hurts. This will reduce swelling and provide some comfort. You can also opt for ice-packs to relieve pain.
4. Relieve the Tension
Stop and take deep breaths throughout the day. Reducing stress will reduce discomfort.
Decreasing your overall stress level will help you lower sharp pain above right eye and temple. Relaxing will always help with a headache above the right eye.
5. Exercise on a Regular Basis
Sharp Shooting Pain Right Temple
Getting your blood pumping and moving around will decrease the amount of pain above right eye socket. Making sure that freshly oxygenated blood is reaching your brain.
This will decrease the pain level. Simple things like walking and jogging can increase your heart rate and get rid of a headache above the right eye.
When to Seek Medical Help?
Sharp Pain Above Right Temple
Your general physician will always be able to tell you exactly the cause of the pain and what can alleviate it. But, medical help should be sought when the headache home remedies do not work.
Occasional Sharp Pain Above Right Temple In Head
If pain above right eye socket begins to impede your daily life or require you to miss days of work, then you should go to the doctor.
A headache above right eye is something that can be fixed by yourself, but it is always best to seek medical help when needed.
Sources:
“Headaches above Right Eye: Causes and Treatments,” Healtholino web site; https://www.healtholino.com/headache-above-right-eye-its-causes-and-treatment/, last accessed Nov 28, 2017.
“Head Pain Above Your Right Eye: Causes and Treatments,” Med-Health web site; http://www.med-health.net/headache-above-right-eye.html, last accessed Nov 28, 2017.
“What Causes Headaches Above Your Right Eye?,” Just-Health web site;
http://www.just-health.net/Headache-Above-Right-Eye.html, last accessed Nov 28, 2017.