Minor sore throat, swollen glands and localized scalp sensitivity

[erom43]

I recently developed a strange set of symptoms....at least for me.  It started with a slight pain when swallowing, which felt like it was due to a swollen gland on the right side.  The swallowing pain was hardly noticable unless I was swallowing a hot or cold liquid.  Accompanying this symptom, was a localized area on my scalp, that was sensitive to the touch.  Located on the top right side of my head, the area was about three inches in diameter.  No pain, just sensitive when touched.  Additionally, there was occasional tenderness felt from the inner ear area of my right ear.  Again, mild and infrequent.
Symptoms occurred on day one, but day two were hardly noticable.  Reappeared on day three, four and five.  No other cold or flu like symptoms to speak of.  No coughing, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, scratchy throat, post nasal drip, fever, headaches or excess fatigue to speak of.
The primary reason this concerns me, is that it is not typical.  Normally, if I get a cold or flu or sinus infection, it starts with a scratchy throat, followed by bad sore throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose etc.  Never noticed the scalp tenderness before.  Open to any ideas or suggestions that readers might have.  Thanks.

[Jblieb]

I have had this for roughy 10 years. A couple of times each year I get these symptoms. Tender scalp, minor sore throat when swallowing and ear pain. I have tenderness on the outside of my neck below the ear and can massage it for some relief. If I turn my neck a certain way, nerve pain shoots from my scalp to shoulder. I 100% believe it’s heroes related as I have had fever blisters for year and had shingle like tenderness on my abdomen 15 years  ago or so.

[bangmos]

I am having the same symptoms.  All on the right side.  This is day 7.  I recently got over that nasty flu about 2 weeks ago.  Still have leftover congestion and cough. Was wondering if that virus is causing this. Im not on any medications, just vitamins and herbs.  I don't have diabetes as far as I know.

[ruthea45]

No real answer. I am glad I found this blog so I know I am not totally nuts. (My MD  probably thinks so). I am a medical professional and have never found anything like this in the  medical literature I have studied. I also believe it may be a virus effecting a cranial nerve such as herpes with shingles- like symptoms. I never get a sore anywhere on my scalp, ear, face or throat lips or gums.. I usually get the symptoms on my left side for the last 20+ years, but this time it is on my right and more severe. I usually take  Ibuprofen 400mg. 4 times a day or up to 800mg. 3 times a day and 500-1000mg. 2 times a day of an over- the- counter supplement protein called L-lysine that purportedly helps with cold sores/herpes. I take these for a few days and it seems to help some. Good luck. I hope someday someone really knows the answer to this aggravating problem.

[specialmom]

There is nothing like real life experience to make us feel not alone in what ails us, right?  Medical literature is great but the real world looks different sometimes!  That does make sense that it follows the nerve pattern like shingles/herpes. I did read about 'giant cell arteritis'.  While it often speaks about the temples as the place affected, that's not always the case.  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/giant-cell-arteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20372758.  Since it is very rare, doctors may not be educated in looking for this or evaluating for it.

[moosegoosecaboose]

See my newest post on the bottom of this thread- I think the solution for you is Valacyclovir??

[ImHelping]

Ok bear with me here. Have any of you ever had a cold sore or any strain of herpes? I believe this is related. Many many threads all over the internet with no answers and terrible misdiagnosis like neuralgia ms etc. I have had this several times a year as well for many years. I found one thread where a user described these symptoms before getting a cold sore. This has not preceded a cold sore with my case but it got me thinking about the possibility. So as i had this for going on 24 hours with no signs of relief i decided to take two mega doses of lysine an amino acid which will stop cold sores in their tracks. Guess what within a couple of hours no more ear ache no more scalp / head stabs sensitivity etc. I would say this is relted to a virus possible the herpes virus because lysine killed it for me.

[mx123]

[OCPatch]

Search ‘Occipital Neuralgia’.  Have you had any injury to the back of your head or neck?  Extreme muscle tension in this area?  I took an accidental whack on my neck and 3 days later developed these symptoms.  Inflammation of or pressure on nerves that service these areas can cause these symptoms.  Good Luck and Be Well.

[moosegoosecaboose]

SOLUTION (short answer): if you think it's herpes related like many on this thread do: Get a script for Valacyclovir or equivalent cold sore meds.

MORE DETAIL (my experience):
I have had repeatedly similar symptoms over the past couple years. It usually starts as pain/soreness under one side of my tongue near the back, then moves to my gums/throat on one side (like where my wisdom teeth used to be and back toward the throat). Sometimes it stops there and fades away after a day or 2. Sometimes it keeps going and my inner ear becomes painful/sore. Only about 3 times has it progressed to the scalp sensitivity, but when it has its exactly as described elsewhere on this page. Just a small spot atop my head, on the same side as the others.

When I first got these symptoms I consulted my aunt and uncle who are retired nurse practitioner and retired doctor respectively. Coincidentally, my uncle says he had a similar thing for years, and could never get a doctor to diagnose it. He concluded it must be related to herpes due to the hemispheric nature (occurring only on one side or the other). He got a prescription for Valacyclovir which is commonly used to treat cold sores caused by herpes. He said that trying to get an accurate diagnosis from a doctor would be difficult, because this is an uncommon condition. He recommended that I just go to my doctor and say I get cold sores a lot on my mouth and that OTC creams usually don't work.

In my case, my aunt (who was practicing at that time) prescribed me Valacyclovir HCL 1 gram tablets. I take 2 by mouth every 12 hours for 1 day (so 2 tablets, then 2 tablets 12 hours later, then done). This treatment has worked every time for me, and the symptoms are gone 12-24 hours after the 2nd dose. Hope this helps someone out there!

Here is a link to Mayo Clinics general intel on Valacycolvir. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/valacyclovir-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066635?p=1

[moosegoosecaboose]

I thought I'd also mention there are a number of online services that sell Valacyclovir without an in person doctor visit. I use one but wont say the name bc I don't want this to look like spam or I'm supporting a particular business. Just google "Valacyclovir online" and you'll get ads for about 4 services that offer this. It may be less or more expensive than conventional routes depending on your insurance.

[Beth4444]

Look into TMJ...it can have a weird presentation.

[AS2411]

I think this is  directly related to herpes as this cluster of symptoms often appears a few days before a fever blister, and always on the same side.  The downside is that these are painful sensations (the ear ache, sore throat, and scalp pain as though someone pulled my hair), but the upside is that this is a fever blister warning that tells me to start my prevention regimen.  I take one Super Lysine+ supplement 4xs / day, and so long as I catch it early, I can usually prevent a cold sore from forming. I've also recently started applying lemon balm essential oil directly on my lips, which seemed effective last time I had a sore emerging (but didn't catch it early enough to start the Lysine in advance).  I had chicken pox relatively late in life (around age 12), and it was a very severe case. My understanding is that chicken pox, shingles, and herpes are all related. My advice: boost your immune system with an effective supplement.

[Theresa4340]

Exactly the same for me. Did not expect Google  to throw up and similar symptoms. All on the left side for me. It’s the top of  my head towards the left that is sore, my left ear and like a gland deep in my throat on the same side. One of the comments above suggests that it could be related to herpes and I think that might be right. I get very similar skin sensitively on my stomach and thighs that i realised after years was related to herpes (although ive never had any blisters).

[Aceallenk]

This is the same thing I am dealing with, and my second bout in 5 months. Has anyone got any update by any medical professional as to a remedy or solution..  Whatever the culprit it really sends me for a loop, starts with raw nasal passageways,  runny nose, headache, fever, swollen throat glands, tiredness,  and the sensitive scalp. The first time I came down with these flu/cold like conditions I blamed the sensitive scalp  on the possibility of freezing my scalp walking home getting the mail that time. Not the case this time around..  

[Theresa4340]

Exactly the same for me. Did not expect Google  to throw up and similar symptoms. All on the left side for me. It’s the top of  my head towards the left that is sore, my left ear and like a gland deep in my throat on the same side. One of the comments above suggests that it could be related to herpes and I think that might be right. I get very similar skin sensitively on my stomach and thighs that i realised after years was related to herpes (although ive never had any blisters).

[rd63]

Did anyone with these symptoms get checked for temporal arteritis or occipital neuralgia?

[ruthea45]

No, but that sounds like a logical idea if you can convince your M.D. that you are not nuts. I have not found any medical person that takes this discomforting symptom complaints that I have seriously.

[TonyB1999]

So I am experiencing the same symptoms. Started with the ear, seemed like the outside of my ear, then over several days my inner ear, neck and throat became sensation and eventually in constant mild pain... And of course my right lymph node is swollen and I have this weird sensitivity on my scalp.. But just on the right side.

I also had a cold or flu recently and have a lingering light cough that hasn't gone away but no other symptoms.

I'll be going to the doctor if it gets any worse but if really like to know what the heck this is about.

[Brittany_rn]

This is the second time I've experienced this. It is very similar in nature to nerve pain like you would experience with shingles. Almost as if I have shingles on the left side of my throat with nerve pain radiating to left inner ear and top left of my scalp. All on the left side which is linear in nature when thinking about nerves being affected. My scalp is also sore to touch and every now and then I will feel a sharp stab/jolt to that area. So weird. Definitely characteristic of nerve pain associated with a virus.... just need a diagnosis.

[Deborita1]

Did you found out what it was I have the something?

[RichF07]

How strange, I have the exact same symptoms:  Left ear pain, left throat soreness,  headache and scalp tenderness on left side.  I assume it's a sinus infection, but can't explain the scalp tenderness.  Are there any doctors monitoring this thread?  Seems to be a lot of people with these symptoms with no diagnosis.

[Patbach]

Wow, really didn't exect my weird google search to get any results. Sensitive hair on top of the head and sore throat? Wth is that.

This started Thursday I think and it is now tuesday and the throat is now really painful. I guess I could wait it out, probably some weird virus..

Never had ear sensitivity tough. Just scalp and throat

[Deborita1]

What was it?

[JamsRalph]

About two weeks ago, I developed a soar throat only only on my left side.   I also had a headache behind the eyes and my scalp felt like someone had pulled my hair.
Now my headache is gone, my soar throat is not as acute (but still a little soar), I get an ear ache on the left side for less than a minute at a time and my scalp and face are still sensitive.
Has anyone had these symptoms accurately diagnosed and treated ?
Has anyone heard of of neuralgia as the possible cause of these symptoms?

[JamsRalph]

About two weeks ago, I developed a soar throat only only on my left side.   I also had a headache behind the eyes and my scalp felt like someone had pulled my hair.
Now my headache is gone, my soar throat is not as acute (but still a little soar), I get an ear ache on the left side for less than a minute at a time and my scalp and face are still sensitive.
Has anyone had these symptoms accurately diagnosed and treated ?
Has anyone heard of of neuralgia as the possible cause of these symptoms?

[Deborita1]

Did you found out what is was ii have this happen to me

[Medimon]

I also had the same thing happen to me yesterday-I was on antibiotics which wiped my immune system so I picked up a cold/flu virus. Only on the right side of my head I have: a sore throat, swollen lymph node, ear pain, mild eye redness, and even swollen gums and scalp, but sinuses are clear and no cough. So I'm pretty sure it's just normal inflammation from the virus, although it's a bit weird. Whenever I have a gum infection the same thing happens so maybe the virus is confined locally vs. spreading throughout the whole body.

[suspendedlight]

This is spot on I think: 'Whenever I have a gum infection the same thing happens' ... I remember now, I ate some nuts and I think some were a bit too dry and cut my gums (near the grinding teeth), it was slightly swollen for a day, then I started getting all these symptoms ... throat then ear and then scalp ... makes sense that it was a spreading virus/infection ... seems to be dying down on all fronts now ...

[morph3ux]

Same happens to me. I can't find any explanation

[6thman]

Have had same basic symptoms - small spot of tender scalp, on top right side, and swollen right gland. Have had these symptoms appearing jointly every 6 weeks or so for the last few years - always disappearing after 2-3 days, always with only minor discomfort. The most recent occurrence had a minor left earache as well. My internist was clueless as was my rheumatologist -as am I. Didn't learn much here as to the cause, but am glad to learn that am I not alone. Please keep this thread going. (Any doctors out there?)

[morph3ux]

Same happens to me. I can't find any explanation

[Landshark67]

Have these same symptoms.  Painful scalp area on right side of my head, swollen glands on the right side and a dull headache.  It's Spring so I've attributed it to allergies or a mild virus.  It's day three so if I don't see improvement item I'm off to the doctor.

Extra vitamins are a good idea.  

[KTP2015]

Any updates? I'm having the same thing and I'm curious it the problem went away for each of you or if it continued.

[PatTex]

I've been having same thing sort of, scalp sensitivity on top right area about 2-3 in diameter, feels like someone is constantly pulling out my hair by the roots, while what feels like inner ear pain that gets worse when I swallow hard, right above the mastoid process so guessing it's inner ear. I'm on 100mg Neoral and 365mg Myfortic as immunosuppressants as I'm > 10 yrs post liver transplant.100mg, levothyroxine, 5mg ambien, and some supplements but nothing new recently. It's been going on 4 days now.