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.

[MinMom]

I get scalp sensitivity to the point where brushing my hair hurts any time I'm coming down with a cold or flu.  I don't even get bothered by it anymore, I just think of it as a warning that I need to get some rest and get some extra vitamins in me to fight of what's hitting.  

[boogie123912]

Hi,
I am having exactly the same thing. Sensitivity on top of the scalp (probably a bit swollen), had a some flu symptoms yesterday (fatique and a bit of sore throat) and very mild ear pain. Nothing of all really painful but I have never had the swollen scalp part with sensitivity. Very odd. I did not sleep much the past weeks but I had these periods before, so this cannot be the cause, only that I got older in the meantime. I usually don't have ear infections either, so it is quite a curious incidence.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Good to see you are doing better. Sometimes diabetes can present with these odd sensations due to neuropathy. It is a disorder of the nerves which causes numbness, tingling, unusual sensations and sometimes pain. Other causes like vitamin deficiencies, alcohol consumption and certain medications can cause neuropathy. So, check with your doctor to rule out diabetes. It can be detected by a simple blood test. Good Luck.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[erom43]

Thank you.  I saw a doctor yesterday, who agreed, that there is no ailment that results in all symptoms indicated.   Scalp sensitivity seems to be the odd man out.  He suggested that brain tumor and stroke are unlikely.  He thinks that allergy is possible, and I am now taking Claritin daily to see if that helps.  Pain is so low that it seldom warrents tylenol, but I have tried occasionally just to see if it was effective.....and it was.  If symptoms get any worse, I will have it checked again, but for now they are fairly benign.

[racerx69]

Im having same symptoms exactly with the addition of a sore on my gum near my wisdom teeth.  Feels like canker sore...but too far back to see.  Ear ache.  Neck gland slightly swollen. Weird localized pain on skin at top of head near right side.  Small area.  Did you ever get any further diagnosis or validation of what it was for you?

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Your symptoms could be due to a developing throat infection. This could cause pain with swallowing and pain in the ear. But this is unlikely to cause any sensitivity on the scalp. Sometimes herpes zoster or shingles can present initially with sensitivity which can progress to pain and rash. So, wait and watch and keep track of the symptoms you develop. In the meantime for pain relief you can use OTC Tylenol (acetaminophen).

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.