Differential Diagnosis for Sensitivity to Skin Behind Ear and Scalp

• Single Most Likely Diagnosis
  • Contact dermatitis: This is a common condition that occurs when the skin comes into contact with an irritant or allergen, leading to inflammation and sensitivity. The skin behind the ear and scalp are common areas for contact dermatitis due to hair products, jewelry, or other personal care items.
• Other Likely Diagnoses
  • Seborrheic dermatitis: A chronic inflammatory condition that affects areas rich in sebaceous glands, such as the scalp, leading to sensitivity, redness, and flaking.
  • Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition that can cause sensitivity, redness, and scaly patches on the scalp and behind the ear.
  • Eczema (atopic dermatitis): A chronic condition characterized by dry, itchy, and sensitive skin, which can affect the scalp and areas behind the ear.
• Do Not Miss Diagnoses
  • Meningitis: Although rare, meningitis is a life-threatening condition that can cause sensitivity and pain in the scalp and behind the ear, along with other symptoms like fever, headache, and stiff neck.
  • Temporal arteritis: An inflammatory condition that affects the blood vessels in the head, leading to sensitivity, pain, and tenderness in the scalp and behind the ear, particularly in older adults.
• Rare Diagnoses
  • Trigeminal neuralgia: A chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, causing sensitivity and pain in the face, including the scalp and areas behind the ear.
  • Dermatomyositis: A rare autoimmune condition that causes skin inflammation and muscle weakness, leading to sensitivity and rash on the scalp and behind the ear.
  • Cutaneous lymphoma: A type of cancer that affects the skin, which can cause sensitivity, redness, and lesions on the scalp and behind the ear.