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Symptoms of Occipital Neuralgia

Occipital neuralgia is a condition in which a person experiences pain spasms from the skull base. These pain spasms are intense and often spread to behind the eyes, and all parts of the head, including the front, back and the sides. This ailment is also commonly known as either Arnold's neuralgia or C2 neuralgia. It often results either from the occipital nerves being irritated or due to any injury. There are various symptoms that are commonly associated with occipital neuralgia.

  1. Scalp Sensitivity

    • The scalp being sensitive is one major occipital neuralgia symptom. The scalp will often feel very tender, sore and painful if it is touched. Simple tasks including washing and combing the hair can be very painful and difficult due to the scalp's hypersensitivity.

    Eyes

    • There are a couple of eye-related symptoms of occipital neuralgia. People might often feel either pain or pressure behind their eyes. Also, the eyes might feel particularly sensitive to light.

    Headaches

    • Headaches are probably the most common warning sign that a person might have occipital neuralgia. The headaches are generally localized. They often follow a pattern in which they begin at the skull base or the upper part of the neck. They can occur on two sides, or be one-sided as well.

    Neck Motion

    • Some people who have occipital neuralgia might notice that if they move their neck, whether the motion is fast or unexpected, it triggers an intense spasm of pain, either a shooting or throbbing pain.

    Migraine Headaches

    • Many people who have occipital neuralgia describe the headache pain as feeling very similar to a migraine headache. Along with the headache feeling similar to migraines, they might experience other symptoms that are similar to those of migraine headaches, including sensitivity to sound.

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