Tingling In Head: 14 Possible Causes - Medical News Today

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat causes tingling in the head?

Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — Written by Jenna Fletcher — Updated on August 12, 2025

Sinus infections
Anxiety or stress
Migraine
Diabetes
Medications
Injuries
Multiple sclerosis
Seizures
Autoimmune conditions
Occipital neuralgia
Other infections
Stroke
Trigeminal neuralgia
Other causes
Contacting a doctor
FAQ
Summary

Possible causes of tingling in the head include sinus infections, anxiety, headaches, diabetes, and more. Certain medications and a head injury may also be responsible.

Understanding related symptoms can help a person identify the possible cause of tingling in the head. However, if tingling persists or keeps coming back, it is best to contact a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

The doctor can then advise on treatments to help manage symptoms and the underlying cause.

Keep reading for more information on the possible causes of tingling in the head, as well as when to contact a doctor.

Sinus infections

A person has their head in their hands. — FG Trade/Getty Images

Sinus infections cause a person’s sinuses to become irritated and inflamed.

As the sinuses enlarge, they can put pressure on surrounding nerves. When this occurs, it can cause cranial neuropathy.

Over-the-counter cold medications, warm compresses, or steam can help relieve the pressure on the nerves. Once the pressure is released, the tingling sensation will likely resolve.

In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Anxiety or stress

When a person feels anxious or is under a lot of stress, they may feel a tingling sensation.

Stress triggers the release of norepinephrine and other hormones. These are responsible for directing blood flow to the areas of the body that need it most.

As a result, extra blood is sent to the head, which may cause a person to feel a tingling sensation.

Migraine

Certain types of headaches and migraines may cause tingling in the head.

A migraine aura may occur before a migraine episode. A tingling sensation is a common part of migraine auras.

Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the body cannot produce insulin or cannot use it properly. Insulin is responsible for processing sugar in the blood. When there is not enough insulin, a person’s blood sugar levels can become too high and cause a variety of symptoms.

Without treatment, diabetes can lead to nerve damage. People with diabetes tend to experience nerve damage in the outer extremities, such as the feet.

Focal nerve damage can affect the face and head, which may be a source of tingling. Other symptoms can include:

vision problems
pain behind the eye
Bell’s palsy or an inability to move one side of the face

It is important to contact a doctor if these symptoms occur.

Certain medications

Certain medications may cause a tingling sensation in the head. For example, labetalol, which doctors prescribe for high blood pressure, can also tingle the scalp and skin.

Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), which doctors prescribe for ADHD, may cause paresthesia in some cases.

It is best to contact a doctor if someone believes their medication is causing tingling in the head. Continue to take any prescription medication until a doctor advises otherwise.

Head injuries

If a person injures the back of their head, they may damage the nerves inside the brain. As a result, they may feel a tingling sensation in the head or face.

They may also experience facial paralysis, where the muscles in the face do not work.

Other head injuries may damage the nerves in the outer part of the head. If this occurs, a person may also feel a temporary sensation of tingling or numbness in the affected areas.

»Learn more:Everything you need to know about concussion

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive condition that causes the body’s immune system to attack the central nervous system.

MS can damage nerves throughout the body. If it damages nerves in the face or head, a person may feel tingling in that area.

»Learn more:Understanding and treating MS tingling patterns

Focal aware seizures

Focal aware seizures can affect people with epilepsy. When a person has a simple partial seizure, they do not lose consciousness, as the seizure occurs in only one part of the brain.

Instead, someone having a focal aware seizure may experience numbness or tingling in the head or face.

Autoimmune conditions

Autoimmune conditions attack parts of a person’s body. In some cases, they attack the nerves and surrounding tissues, causing tingling in the head.

Some autoimmune conditions that may cause tingling include:

rheumatoid arthritis
lupus
Sjogren syndrome
sarcoidosis

Occipital neuralgia

Two occipital nerves run on both sides of the head. They go from the neck to the top of the head, stopping at about the forehead.

These nerves are responsible for the feelings and sensations on the top and back of the head. If something irritates either of them, it can cause shooting pain or a tingling sensation in the head.

Occipital neuralgia is a condition that can irritate these nerves and cause tingling.

Other infections

Though not common, some infections can cause nerve damage in the head, which can lead to a tingling sensation.

Some infections that can cause nerve damage include:

shingles (herpes zoster)
HIV
COVID-19
poliovirus
enterovirus

Stroke

A stroke occurs when a person loses the blood supply to their brain. The loss of blood causes a loss of oxygen, which can damage the brain.

Symptoms of a stroke include:

loss of function
vision problems
tingling or numbness in different areas of the body, including the head
confusion
drooping on one side of the face

»Learn more:What does a stroke feel like?

Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia can cause tingling in the face. The trigeminal nerves run on both sides of the face and give sensation to the forehead, cheeks, teeth, and jaw.

Sometimes, the trigeminal nerve can become irritated or compressed, which can cause numbness or tingling.

Other causes of tingling in the head

Less commonly, some other conditions may cause a person’s head to tingle. Some of these are benign, while others are potentially serious.

These additional causes include:

poor posture that puts pressure on the head
a nerve trapped in the neck
exposure to toxic substances such as radiation or lead
poor diet
excess alcohol consumption
brain tumor

When to contact a doctor

If tingling in the head persists or interrupts a person’s life, it is best that they contact a doctor as soon as possible.

Anyone experiencing the symptoms of a stroke or seizure should seek emergency medical attention.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean when a person's head tingles?

There are many possible reasons why a person is experiencing tingling in the head, including:

sinus infection
anxiety
migraine
diabetes

What does it mean when your head feels weird?

There are many possible reasons why a person’s head may feel weird.Injuries to the head, occipital neuralgia, and stroke can all cause a tingling sensation on the head or scalp, which may feel weird or unusual.

There are many possible reasons why a person’s head may feel weird.

Injuries to the head, occipital neuralgia, and stroke can all cause a tingling sensation on the head or scalp, which may feel weird or unusual.

Can high blood pressure cause tingling?

High blood pressure can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which can cause pain, numbness, and tingling.Also, certain medications prescribed for high blood pressure, such as labetalol, may cause a tingling sensation in the scalp.

High blood pressure can lead to peripheral neuropathy, which can cause pain, numbness, and tingling.

Also, certain medications prescribed for high blood pressure, such as labetalol, may cause a tingling sensation in the scalp.

Summary

Conditions that affect the nerves may cause tingling in the head or face. These include infections, diabetes, MS, occipital neuralgia, and trigeminal neuralgia.

Other possible causes include anxiety, migraine, head injuries, seizures, and autoimmune conditions. Some medications can also cause tingling as a side effect.

In most cases, tingling in the head is not a major cause for concern.

However, since some more serious underlying conditions may be responsible, anyone experiencing persistent or chronic tingling in the head should contact a doctor.

Multiple Sclerosis
Respiratory
Anxiety / Stress
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.

About stroke. (n.d.).https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke
Attal N, et al. (2021). Potential for increased prevalence of neuropathic pain after the COVID-19 pandemic.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7850724/
Focal aware seizures. (2023).https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/about-epilepsy/epileptic-seizures/focal-aware-seizures
Highlights of prescribing information: Vyvanse. (2015).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/021977s039lbl.pdf
Labetalol. (2023).https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a685034.html
Migraine. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/
Nerve damage. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/diabetes-complications/diabetes-and-nerve-damage.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-nerve-damage.html
Numbness or tingling. (n.d.).https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Symptoms-Diagnosis/MS-Symptoms/Numbness
Peripheral neuropathy. (2024).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/peripheral-neuropathy
Pins and needles. (2024).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pins-and-needles/
Product information. TRANDATE® (labetalol hydrochloride) tablets. (2010).https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/018716s026lbl.pdf
Sinusitis (sinus infection). (2024).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sinusitis-sinus-infection/
Traumatic brain injury (TBI). (2025).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi
Trigeminal neuralgia. (2023).https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/trigeminal-neuralgia
Tyrer P. (2018). Against the Stream: Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) – a redundant diagnosis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6001853/

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Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — Written by Jenna Fletcher — Updated on August 12, 2025

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