Why does the crown of my head hurt when I touch it?

Author: Saul Hermann I  |  Last update: Thursday, January 15, 2026

There are many possible reasons why a persons scalp feels sore and tender to touch, including skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. Other potential causes of a sore and tender scalp include occipital neuralgia , a type of headache, and alopecia areata .

What does it mean when your head crown hurts?

Scalp pain or tenderness can have a variety of causes including trauma, psoriasis, dermatitis, folliculitis, infections, or even your hairstyle. Underlying conditions like headaches or migraines could also be to blame.

Why is my scalp tender in one spot?

Scalp tenderness in one spot can be caused by a range of issues, including trauma, friction from headgear, sunburn, or scalp conditions like psoriasis. Preventing tenderness involves gentle scalp care, avoiding tight hairstyles, using UV protection, and keeping the scalp clean and moisturised.

Why does my crown hurt when I touch it?

Dental crown pain is temporarily manageable using home remedies like OTC pain relievers, salt water rinses, herbal medications, treating bruxism, and avoiding problematic foods. Unfortunately, if the discomfort is severe and doesn't subside, you must seek a dentist for a solution.

Why does my head hurt to touch in one spot?

Common causes of scalp tenderness and sensitivity. Migraines, headaches, and autoimmune disorders can cause scalp pain, irritation, and inflammation. Sunburns, rashes, wounds, and insect bites also commonly cause scalp tenderness.

Scalp Pain Decoded: What's Behind the Discomfort?

When should I be worried about skull pain?

See a GP if: your headache keeps coming back. painkillers do not help and your headache gets worse. you have a bad throbbing pain at the front or side of your head – it could be a migraine or, more rarely, a cluster headache.

How to know if a crown is infected?

Common Signs and Symptoms
  1. Persistent Pain. One of the most apparent signs of a dental crown infection is continuous pain in the affected tooth. ...
  2. Swelling and Redness. Swelling of the gums around the crowned tooth is a common symptom. ...
  3. Sensitivity to Hot and Cold. ...
  4. Bad Taste or Odor. ...
  5. Pus Discharge. ...
  6. Loose Crown. ...
  7. Gum Recession.

How long should a crown be sore?

After dental crown placement, you can expect some discomfort that should subside after a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, if you have the conditions described in this article, you must discuss the issue with your dentist to determine your problem.

What are the symptoms of a bad crown?

Identifying Bad Dental Crowns

A faulty crown is usually hard to miss, often causing mild to severe tooth pain, inflammation, and tooth decay. Over time, this can lead to infections and further symptoms. If you have a faulty crown, you may notice: Dental overhangs that are difficult to clean.

Is scalp tenderness a symptom of MS?

People with multiple sclerosis (MS) may experience abnormal sensations, including pain, burning, itching, or numbness. For some, these sensations affect the scalp and cause discomfort.

Why does the top of my head hurt?

What causes a headache on top of your head ? Occipital neuralgia, migraines, poor posture, head injuries, and certain medications all cause your head to hurt at the top of your head. There are rare, more severe possible causes, such as high blood pressure or a brain tumor.

Can a brain tumor cause scalp sensitivity?

It is usually caused by a medical condition that irritates the scalp itself. Medical conditions such as scalp psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp folliculitis, eczema, contact dermatitis, alopecia, temporal arteritis, brain tumor and basal cell carcinoma can trigger scalp pain.

What does a pre-stroke headache feel like?

People describe a stroke-related headache as a very severe headache that comes on within seconds or minutes. Oftentimes, the area affected by the headache is directly related to where the stroke occurs.

What autoimmune disease causes tender scalp?

Most people who get polymyalgia rheumatica are older than 65. It rarely affects people younger than 50. This condition is related to another inflammatory condition called giant cell arteritis. Giant cell arteritis can cause headaches, vision troubles, jaw pain and scalp tenderness.

Can pain under crown go away?

Pain under the crown may temporarily subside and then reappear. Do not ignore signs of inflammation. Ignoring these symptoms may lead to: Swelling of the gums.

Why does my crown hurt when I press on it?

It may be that the crown has not bonded properly to your tooth, or has become infected due to improper placement. Either way, you should seek the attention of your dentist if pain persists or gets worse after two weeks.

Why does my crown hurt my head?

A crown that is misaligned can cause pain and sensitivity to the area around that particular tooth, which may result in other issues like headaches or jaw soreness.

How do I know if I need a root canal?

Root canal treatment is needed when dental X-rays show that the pulp has been damaged by a bacterial infection. The pulp may become inflamed if it's infected by bacteria, allowing the bacteria to multiply and spread. The symptoms of a pulp infection include: pain when eating or drinking hot or cold food and drink.

Can a crown infection go away on its own?

A tooth abscess won't go away without treatment. If the abscess ruptures, the pain may improve a lot, making you think that the problem has gone away — but you still need to get dental treatment. If the abscess doesn't drain, the infection may spread to your jaw and to other areas of your head and neck.

Is it normal to have throbbing pain after a crown?

After getting a crown, it's common to experience tooth sensitivity. The area around the tooth can be inflamed or irritated. This is particularly true if you had dental work done just prior to the crown placement. Sensitivity to hot or cold foods may cause discomfort, leading to throbbing tooth pain after a crown.

What is a leaky crown?

The Crown Is Leaking

Poor oral hygiene can cause your crown to leak, allowing acids and sugars to become trapped. This can lead to tooth decay that may go unnoticed for years until it's visible or you have persistent pain. In some cases, the cement may wash off from under the crown, which can cause it to become loose.

Why does my head hurt when I press on it?

Check if it's a tension headache

Common symptoms of tension headaches include: pain on both sides of your head, face or neck. feeling like something is pressing on your head or being tightened around it. the affected area may feel tender and your head may hurt more when touched.

What are red flags for head pain?

We review the following red flags: (1) systemic symptoms including fever; (2) neoplasm history; (3) neurologic deficit (including decreased consciousness); (4) sudden or abrupt onset; (5) older age (onset after 65 years); (6) pattern change or recent onset of new headache; (7) positional headache; (8) precipitated by ...

What does tumor head pain feel like?

Brain tumor headaches tend to cause pain that's worse when coughing or straining. People with brain tumors most often report that the headache feels like a tension headache. Some people say the headache feels like a migraine. Brain tumors in the back of the head might cause a headache with neck pain.

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