Differential Diagnosis for Nape Pain that Feels like Fire Burning
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Cervical strain or sprain: This is a common condition that can cause pain in the nape area, often described as a burning sensation due to muscle spasms and inflammation.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Tension headache: Tension headaches can cause pain in the neck and nape area, which may feel like a burning sensation due to muscle tension.
- Cervical spondylosis: This condition involves wear and tear on the cervical spine, leading to pain and stiffness in the nape area, which can be described as a burning sensation.
- Fibromyalgia: This chronic condition is characterized by widespread muscle pain, including the nape area, which can feel like a burning sensation.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Meningitis: Although rare, meningitis is a life-threatening condition that can cause severe neck pain and stiffness, which may be described as a burning sensation.
- Cervical spine fracture or dislocation: Traumatic injuries to the cervical spine can cause severe pain and instability, which may be described as a burning sensation.
- Spinal cord compression: Compression of the spinal cord can cause severe pain, numbness, and weakness, which may be described as a burning sensation in the nape area.
- Rare diagnoses
- Occipital neuralgia: This condition involves inflammation of the occipital nerve, which can cause severe pain in the nape area, often described as a burning or shock-like sensation.
- Multiple sclerosis: This chronic condition can cause a range of symptoms, including pain and numbness in the nape area, which may be described as a burning sensation.
- Cervical radiculopathy: This condition involves compression or irritation of the cervical nerve roots, which can cause pain, numbness, and weakness in the nape area, which may be described as a burning sensation.