Feeling a cold sensation at the back of your head can be an unsettling experience. This common symptom can stem from various origins, ranging from benign environmental factors to more complex underlying health conditions. Understanding these potential causes can provide clarity and alleviate concern.
Common and Harmless Reasons
A cold sensation at the back of the head often stems from simple, everyday factors. Environmental elements like cold air, drafts, or air conditioning play a role. When the body encounters cold temperatures, it naturally employs vasoconstriction. This process narrows blood vessels, including those in the scalp, to reduce blood flow and conserve heat, leading to a localized cold feeling.
Hair and scalp exposure also influence this sensation. Thinning hair, wet hair, or a lack of head covering in cold weather can make the scalp more susceptible. When hair is wet, evaporation draws heat away, intensifying the cold sensation. These temporary feelings typically resolve once the environmental factor is removed or the body adjusts.
Nerve Conditions
Nerve involvement can directly contribute to a cold sensation at the back of the head, often due to irritation or compression. Occipital neuralgia, affecting nerves from the upper neck through the scalp, is a notable example. When these nerves become inflamed or injured, they can cause sharp pain, or altered sensations like numbness or coldness.
Various factors can lead to occipital neuralgia, including head or neck trauma, chronic muscle tension in the neck, or pinched nerves. Osteoarthritis in the upper spine or conditions like diabetes can also contribute to nerve irritation. Beyond occipital neuralgia, broader nerve compression or irritation in the neck or upper spine can refer unusual sensations, including coldness, to the back of the head. Sensory neuropathy, affecting sensory nerves, can also result in unusual sensations.
Other Health Considerations
Beyond direct nerve issues, a cold sensation at the back of the head can be a manifestation of other health conditions. Migraine and certain headache disorders, for instance, sometimes involve sensory auras or unusual sensations, including coldness, before or during an attack. These sensations are related to changes in brain activity and blood flow during a migraine episode.
Anxiety and stress are linked to physical symptoms, including paresthesias like coldness, tingling, or numbness. When the body enters a “fight or flight” response due to anxiety, blood flow can be redirected, potentially leading to cold sensations. Circulatory issues, where blood flow is reduced, could cause cold sensations, though this is less common for an isolated feeling at the back of the head and is usually accompanied by other symptoms. Certain medications can also have sensory changes as a side effect.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Understanding when to consult a healthcare professional about a cold sensation at the back of the head is important. If the cold feeling is persistent, worsening over time, or significantly interferes with daily activities, medical evaluation is advised. A sudden and intense onset of the sensation also warrants prompt attention.
It is important to seek medical advice if the cold sensation is accompanied by other symptoms. These include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, dizziness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking. If you have pre-existing medical conditions that might be related, or are concerned about the symptom, a doctor can help determine the cause and recommend appropriate steps.