Differential Diagnosis for Electricity Sensation over Head
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Migraine with aura: This condition often presents with neurological symptoms, including sensations of electricity or tingling, which can precede a migraine headache. The sensation of electricity over the head could be part of the aura phase.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Anxiety or panic disorder: Individuals with anxiety or panic disorders may experience a range of physical sensations, including feelings of electricity or buzzing, particularly over the head or scalp, due to heightened nervous system activity.
- Tension headache: Tension headaches can sometimes be accompanied by unusual sensations, including a feeling of electricity, possibly due to muscle tension affecting nerve endings.
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): MS can cause a variety of neurological symptoms, including sensations of electricity or buzzing, due to demyelination affecting nerve conduction.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): Although less common, a sudden sensation of electricity over the head could be an atypical presentation of a stroke or TIA, especially if accompanied by other neurological deficits.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: A severe headache with sudden onset, sometimes described as "the worst headache" of one's life, can be accompanied by unusual sensations, including electricity, due to bleeding into the space surrounding the brain.
- Rare diagnoses
- Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD): This is an autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the optic nerve and spinal cord but can also cause brainstem symptoms, including unusual sensations.
- Epilepsy (simple partial seizures): In some cases, seizures can manifest as unusual sensations, including feelings of electricity, without the more common convulsive symptoms.
- Trigeminal neuralgia: This condition involves sudden, severe facial pain but can also cause abnormal sensations, including electricity, in the face or, less commonly, over the head.