Occipital neuralgia is a condition where a person suffers pain or spasms that originate from the base of the skull, radiating to the back, as well as to the front, or even sides of the head. Sometimes the pain can be felt behind the eyes as well. It can be categorized as one type of headache and is mostly caused due to inflammation or damage to one or both occipital nerves. The human body has two occipital nerves that originate from the second and third vertebrae of the neck. These nerves can get damaged either by a blow to the area or by whiplash injury or by an illness such as a tumor. These nerves can also get trapped inside muscles through which they pass. This causes spasmodic pain and cramping which is often localized. Occipital neuralgia affects more women than men.
Symptoms of occipital neuralgia includes pain that is sometimes described as a “ram’s horn” pattern occurring on the sides of the head that begins from the base of the neck or skull and then radiates to either one or both sides of the head. The scalp feels tender to touch and becomes hypersensitive. Scalp sensitivity can be quite bad, causing even light brushing of the hair to be painful. Some patients even complain of being sensitive to the light. They experience severe pain and pressure in the region behind the eyes. The symptoms of occipital neuralgia are also sometimes compared to those of migraine headaches where light and sound sensitivity aggravate the headache.
This condition can be treated with certain drugs designed to reduce nerve activity in the occipital nerves. Your doctor may also prescribe a nerve block injection that is given at the base of the skull. This is usually a steroid that contains a pain killer and is meant to provide temporary pain relief. Besides these you can also treat this condition with simple home care remedies such as massages, rest, and exercise. Some over-the-counter pain relievers can provide relief for mild cases of this disorder. Ask your doctor to prescribe a stronger dose or muscle relaxant if ordinary pain relievers don’t help. Try to rest when you suffer an attack of occipital neuralgia. Stay out of the light if it aggravates the pain. Take a shower as it can help you relax. Use a cold compress on the back of your neck, head, and eyes to relieve the pain. Some people may also find relief in a warm compress; you will have to check which works best for you.