What causes sharp pain in head behind ear?
Sarah Martinez
Updated on April 03, 2026
Occipital Neuralgia is a condition in which the occipital nerves, the nerves that run through the scalp, are injured or inflamed. This causes headaches that feel like severe piercing, throbbing or shock-like pain in the upper neck, back of the head or behind the ears.
How long does it take for occipital neuralgia to go away?
Most cases disappear in 1 to 2 months. In rare cases, it can last longer than a year. If you’re older than 50, it’s wise to get vaccinated against shingles and postherpetic neuralgia.
What causes sharp pains behind the ear?
Pain behind the ear can often be caused by infection, like Swimmer’s ear, dental complications, or swollen lymph nodes behind the ear. Sharp pain behind the ear can also be associated with headaches, jaw pain, or pain located in the back of the neck. Read below for more information on causes and treatment options.
What is this painful spot behind my right ear?
If you develop an ear infection and don’t get treatment, you may develop a more serious infection of the ear called mastoiditis. This infection develops in the bony protrusion behind the ear, which is called the mastoid. It may cause pus-filled cysts to develop. In turn, you may feel those as lumps or knots behind your ear.
What causes shooting pain in right ear?
The excess wax build up can get dried and blocked, causing a sensation of fullness in the ears. This usually results in shooting pain in the ears. Ear Barotrauma – Pressure changes in the ear, commonly occurring at higher altitudes can cause sudden shooting pain in the ears.
What causes intense, sharp pain on the right side of my head?
Temporal arteritis can cause pain on the right side of the head. This condition is characterized by inflammation and damage to arteries bringing blood to the head. The large and medium arteries that branch from the neck are particularly susceptible to temporal arteritis.