Temple Pain: Causes, Other Symptoms, And Treatment

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat can cause pain in the temple?

Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Bethany Grayland-Leech — Updated on August 20, 2024

Tension headache
Migraine
Cervicogenic headache
Giant cell arteritis
Brain injury
Intracerebral bleed
Brain tumor
Seeing a doctor
FAQ
Summary

Pain in the temples can stem from many factors. Temple pain usually results from a tension headache but can indicate a more serious condition, such as a brain tumor.

Over-the-counter pain medication and lifestyle changes can often relieve pain in the temples. If a person has additional symptoms or concerns, however, it may be a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

In this article, we look at possible causes of temple pain. We also describe their symptoms, treatments, and when to see a doctor.

Tension headache

A woman experiences a headache in her temples. — MementoJpeg/Getty Images

A tension headache commonly causes vice-like pain in a band around the head. It can also cause tenderness in the head and neck muscles.

These headaches may last about 30 minutes, though a severe tension headache can last for up to 1 week.

Tension headaches usually cause mild or moderate pain. They do not get worse with physical activity, so people are often able to carry on with their routines.

While, unlike other types of headache, tension headaches do not cause nausea or vomiting, people may feel increased sensitivity to either noise or light.

Diagnosis

The doctor will review the person’s medical history and symptoms.

There are no specific tests to diagnose tension headaches, and they can sometimes seem similar to other types of headaches, such as sinus headaches or migraine headaches.

Treatment

If tension headaches are frequent, they may be defined as chronic headaches. In this instance, a doctor may recommend preventive treatment such as an antidepressant called amitriptyline, as well as massage and relaxation therapy.

During a tension headache, a person may benefit from taking over-the-counter medication for pain relief, such as acetaminophen or an anti-inflammatory drug.

Migraine

Migraine headaches usually start on one side of the head. They can also cause pain behind the eye.

A migraine headache can start as a dull ache that develops into a pulsing pain. Some people feel pain or pressure in their temples.

A migraine episode may have the following four stages, distinguished by changes in symptoms:

Prodrome: This stage can include tiredness, mood changes, neck stiffness, and food cravings.
Aura: A migraine aura is a sensory disturbance. An aura may be visual, involving lights, lines, or spots in the field of vision. Or, an aura can cause other symptoms, such as pins and needles sensations. About a quarter of people with migraine have experienced at least one aura.
Headache: A migraine headache causes pain that gets worse with movement. A person may also have nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound, smells, light, or a combination.
Postdrome: The final stage of a migraine episode can involve tiredness and is often described as feeling similar to a hangover.

Each migraine episode can include between one to four of these stages, and the headache stage is the most commonly experienced stage.

Diagnosis

There is no test to diagnose migraine.

A doctor will ask for detailed descriptions of the intensity and frequency of migraine headaches and the extent to which symptoms interfere with everyday life.

Keeping a record of symptoms and any medications can help the doctor recommend the best course of treatment. Meanwhile, an MRI or CAT scan can rule out certain serious causes of head pain.

Treatment

When a person is experiencing a migraine episode, the following treatments can help:

Analgesics and antiemetics: Examples include metoclopramide and the combination medications Fioricet and Fiorinal.
Triptans: Examples include naratriptan, zolmitriptan, rizatriptan, and sumatriptan.
Sleep: This may help put an end to a mild episode.

However, people should not use triptans if they have a history or risk of cardiac ischemia.

The following medications may help prevent migraine episodes:

tricyclics, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or dosulepin
propranolol, a beta-blocker
anticonvulsants, such as topiramate, if the two options above are not effective
fremanezumab-vfrm or erenumab
Botox injections around the head, neck, and shoulders to block muscle contraction

Cervicogenic headache

A cervicogenic headache can result from a disorder of the cervical spine, injuries to the neck, or arthritis of the upper spine.

Symptoms of a cervicogenic headache can include:

pain on one side of the head, possibly in the temple
a stiff neck
nausea
blurred vision
a sensitivity to light and sound
a reduced range of motion of the neck
a headache that gets worse with certain movements of the neck

Diagnosis

A doctor diagnoses a cervicogenic headache after considering the person’s medical history and symptoms.

Treatment

Treatment for cervicogenic headaches involves medication, including nerve blocks, and physical therapy.

Giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) causes inflammation of blood vessels. This results in pain that is intense, burning, and pulsating. The pain tends to occur in the temples, though it can extend throughout the head.

Common symptoms include:

fatigue
tenderness in the scalp or temples
pain in the jaw when chewing
a fever
a loss of appetite
weight loss

Rarely, GCA can also cause blurring, double vision, or permanent loss of vision if it affects the blood supply of the eyes. To prevent this, it is important to obtain a swift diagnosis and immediate treatment.

Doctors do not know what causes GCA.

Diagnosis

The doctor will do a blood test and a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis. The person will then begin treatment immediately.

Treatment

A high dosage of corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can help with GCA. This treatment will continue for 1 month until symptoms go away. Then, the doctor will gradually lower the dosage. Overall, the treatment lasts about 1 year to prevent recurrence.

Side effects of steroids can include:

weight gain
jittery moods
muscle weakness
bone loss
skin bruising

Vitamin D and calcium supplements may help prevent bone loss.

Tocilizumab is another treatment for GCA, and a healthcare professional administers this as a series of injections.

If GCA causes vision loss, it is usually irreversible.

Mild traumatic brain injury

A mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by an impact to the head.

Common symptoms of a TBI include nausea, vomiting, seizures, and a headache. A person may feel this pain anywhere in the head, including the temples.

Diagnosis

After a mild TBI, doctors may use MRI or CT scans to detect any blood clots or bruising to the brain.

If memory problems, dizziness, visual disturbances, or persistent headaches occur, the person may need to see a neurologist.

Treatment

After a TBI, it is important for the person to follow their doctor’s instructions. Mainly, a mild TBI is treated simply with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers.

Intracerebral bleed

An intracerebral bleed, which is a bleed in the brain, can occur due to trauma, stroke, or a ruptured cerebral aneurysm.

A cerebral aneurysm is a weak, bulging area in the wall of an artery in the brain. If it bursts, this causes a sudden, excruciating headache. An aneurysm can develop in any artery in the brain.

Symptoms can include:

sensitivity to light
eye pain
a stiff neck
nausea
vomiting
a sudden, severe headache
weakness on one side of the body
difficulty speaking
diminished coordination
seizure
loss of consciousness

Diagnosis

Doctors use the following tests to diagnose an aneurysm:

Digital subtraction angiography: This produces an image of the blood vessels of the brain.
CT scan: This shows a more detailed image to help detect irregularities.
MRI: This can show small changes in brain tissue.
Magnetic resonance angiography: This involves using intravenous dye to make the blood vessels more visible on the scans.

Treatment

The primary treatment for an aneurysm is surgery, of which there are two types:

neurosurgical clipping, which involves using a metal clip to prevent blood flow to the aneurysm
endovascular coiling, which involves inserting soft coils through a catheter to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing

Brain tumor

A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of cells in the brain. Symptoms can include:

headaches
dizziness
nausea
confusion
seizures
paralysis

Diagnosis

To diagnose brain tumors, doctors can use various forms of imaging, including:

CT scans
PET scans
MRI scans

To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend a biopsy. However, this is a risky procedure. Since a biopsy is an invasive brain surgery, the whole tumor would be removed during the surgery. It would usually be examined with a microscope to identify the type of tumor.

Treatment

Doctors usually treat brain tumors with:

Surgery: During brain cancer surgery, the neurosurgeon will remove as much of the tumor as possible without damaging the surrounding brain tissue.
Radiation: This therapy can shrink the tumor by killing cancerous cells.
Chemotherapy: This treatment damages the cancerous cells.
Laser interstitial thermal therapy: This is a newer technique where doctors put a catheter into the affected area, sometimes take a small sample, and then use a laser to burn away the lesion. However, its long term efficacy has yet to be established.

When to see a doctor

It is important to seek medical attention for head pain when it:

increases in frequency and severity or does not stop
interferes with daily life
is accompanied by symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, a fever, or vomiting
occurs as a result of a head injury
Is accompanied by vision loss, a loss of consciousness, or vomiting

Frequently asked questions

What causes pain in the temple of your head?

There are many possible causes of temple pain, such as:

tension headache
migraine
cervicogenic headache
giant cell arteritis
mild traumatic brain injury
a bleed in the brain
a brain tumor

If a person experiences persistent or severe pain, they should talk with a healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis.

Does temple pain mean an aneurysm?

Temple pain does not necessarily point to an aneurysm. It can be caused by tension headaches, migraine headaches, or other less serious conditions.

However, if a person experiences sudden, severe temple pain accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light, and weakness on one side, they should seek urgent medical attention. These symptoms suggest a person may have had an aneurysm.

Summary

Tension headaches are the most common cause of pain in the temples.

However, it is important to recognize when head pain or accompanying symptoms are not manageable at home.

If the pain becomes more frequent or intense, or if symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, a fever, or vomiting occur, a person should see a doctor.

Headache / Migraine
Neurology / Neuroscience

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Acute medicines. (n.d.).https://migrainetrust.org/live-with-migraine/healthcare/treatments/acute-medicines/
Brain tumors. (2024).https://www.aans.org/patients/conditions-treatments/brain-tumors/
Dodick DW, et al. (2020). Migraine patients with cardiovascular disease and contraindications: An analysis of real-world claims data.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7585888/
Giant cell arteritis. (n.d.).https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/giant-cell-arteritis
Shaterian N, et al. (2022). Botox (OnabotulinumtoxinA) for treatment of migraine symptoms: A systematic review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8989603/
Stages of a migraine attack. (n.d.).https://migrainetrust.org/understand-migraine/stages-of-a-migraine-attack/
Overview: Brain aneurysm. (2022).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/brain-aneurysm/
Tension-type headache: Symptoms, types and treatments. (2023).https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/tension-type-headache/
The complete headache chart. (n.d.).https://headaches.org/resources/the-complete-headache-chart/
Traumatic brain injury (TBI). (2024).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi
What is migraine? (2021).https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/what-is-migraine/
When is a headache an emergency. (n.d.).https://headaches.org/resources/when-to-see-a-healthcare-professional/
Yang H. (2023). Giant cell arteritis.https://rheumatology.org/patients/giant-cell-arteritis

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Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D. — Written by Bethany Grayland-Leech — Updated on August 20, 2024

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Tension headache

Diagnosis

Treatment

Migraine

Diagnosis

Treatment

Cervicogenic headache

Diagnosis

Treatment

Giant cell arteritis

Diagnosis

Treatment

Mild traumatic brain injury

Diagnosis

Treatment

Intracerebral bleed

Diagnosis

Treatment

Brain tumor

Diagnosis

Treatment

When to see a doctor

Frequently asked questions

What causes pain in the temple of your head?

Does temple pain mean an aneurysm?

Summary

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