What Causes Burning Sensation On Scalp Which Runs To Temple And Eye?

Posted on Tue, 22 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 Answered on

Tue, 13 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I havaway.e been having a burning sensation on the left side top of scalp and runs to my temple, check bone and around the eye. my scalp hurts even when I toch it. my husband says I dont have anything. I been like this for 3 weeks now. last night I had a bad headache that woke me from my sleep at 4am. I took a tylenol and it went away, around 3pm I got the headache again tiok another tylenol and went away. I just still feel the burning sensation and I can't even touch the area.

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: details below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to us. Unilateral affliction of scalp, temple and periorbital area can occur in cluster headache, migraine, trigeminal neuralgia and herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO). HZO is characterised by extreme pain and burning sensation over unilateral scalp, temple, around eyes and upper part cheek. It is a viral infection and small clustered blisters are commonly seen in affected area. However sometimes the typical rash or blisters might be missing but typical pain persists. This is known as zoster sine herpes. Also there is a possibility, that the rash has healed in your case and you are still having persistent pain or post herpetic neuralgia. HZO can be managed with medicines like paracetamol, tramadol, pregablin, gabapentin, amitriptyline etc. Please meet a physician nearby so that an appropriate diagnosis can be made and treatment be prescribed. Take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Kalpana Pathak (1 hour later)

I've not had any rash nor bumps at all just the burning sensation as well as i feel it in my inner ear. my doc gave me keflex but its not doing anything.

Answered by Dr. Kalpana Pathak (45 hours later)

Brief Answer: details below Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for writing to us. Keflex is an antibiotic and wont help to relieve symptoms.To relieve pain, an analgesic has to be added.Ear infection too can cause pain inside ear and referred pain in surrounding area. Ear infection can simply be ruled out by ear examination. As mentioned earlier, please meet a qualified physician to rule out the differentials mentioned in my previous post. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar