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What Causes Tender Spots On Scalp Along With Severe Headaches?

Posted on Fri, 16 Jan 2015

Question: So ive been having headaches pretty much every day for like 6 months, also i have like sensitive spots on my scalp that are not constant, they also move around to different spots on my head and feel different sometimes, sometimes its just 1 spot that is painful, sometimes it is just like sensitive, sometimes it feels painful or sensitive when i run my fingers through my hair, ive seen doctors that at forst said it was a cold, after a month they said i had allergies/ sinus infection, then after about another month they said it was tension headaches, i also have like really tight neck and upper shoulders, after a couple months of chiropractic care, my headaches and sensitive spots are still around, muscles right on the back bottom of my skull all around to behind my ears are really sensitive when i push on them, when i put my head down and to the side either way and push down on it with my hands i can feel the muscle behind my ears really stretch a lot, this has been going on for a really long time and im really scared that i have a brain tumor because of all of these headaches?!?! Please help me, what do you think this could be?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This is Tension type Headache(TTH).

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for being here on Healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar, a neurologist and I'd surely help you.

The symptoms you have described are very classical for a Tension type Headache(TTH) and the sensitive, tender, migrating spots on scalp, which you are telling about are the 'Trigger points' which are hallmark of 'TTH'. Pain while running fingers through your hairs, is just another example for this sensitivity.

This actually should be understood in context with the pathophysiology of TTH. TTH arise from the tonically contracted scalp and neck muscles, which can be due to various factors like stress, depression, straining eyes. These tonically contracted muscles are very prone to pain while touching them and as the contraction pattern keeps changing with time, the location of the trigger points or painful points keep changing.

Medicines like amitriptyline will surely help you(under your physician's guidance). If you are so apprehensive and as the problem is now a chronic one, a contrast enhanced Computerised scan(CECT) of Head can be done, to rule out any other intracranial lesion and to make you feel secure.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have some follow up questions, I shall be glad to answer them, else close the thread- rate it and please write a review.

Dr.Ajay Panwar
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (34 hours later)

You are sure that this is not a tumor or something more serious?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes,absolutely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for being in follow-up.
You are welcome for the day.

Regarding your query-
Yes.I am sure about that.Absolutely.Yet,as I already said that you may plan a CECT Head(after consulting your physician), so that you may feel secure when it comes out to be normal and as the problem is chronic it's indicated too.
If you have any further queries,I shall be glad to answer them else,please close the thread-rate it and write a review.Wish you good health.

Dr.Ajay Panwar
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D