Persistent headache in the temples: what should you know?

Pain at one or both temples can occur with migraine, tension headache, jaw clenching, dental problems, sinus symptoms, or irritation around the scalp and neck. In an older adult, new temple pain with scalp tenderness, jaw pain while chewing, or visual symptoms needs urgent assessment because blood-vessel inflammation can threaten sight. A brain tumour may present with headache, but the temple location does not establish that diagnosis. A clinician may ask about your examination, vision, jaw, medicines, and neurological symptoms. You can read about [Brain Tumour](/conditions/brain-tumour/) and [Glioblastoma](/conditions/glioblastoma/) for background.

Write down whether the pain is throbbing, pressing, or burning; whether it is on one side; and whether light, sound, chewing, posture, or activity changes it. Note nausea, visual changes, jaw symptoms, scalp tenderness, fever, and every medicine taken. Rest, hydrate, relax the jaw, and try a quiet dim room if that helps. Arrange a clinical review when the headache persists, returns often, or differs from your previous headaches. Avoid repeatedly taking pain medicine without advice.

Seek urgent care for sudden severe pain, new visual loss or double vision, a painful red eye, jaw pain with chewing, scalp tenderness with vision symptoms, weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, confusion, seizure, fever with a stiff neck, or repeated vomiting. If you are being treated for cancer, report a new persistent headache or neurological change; cancer can spread to the brain, called [Brain Metastases](/conditions/brain-metastases/), and this requires prompt assessment.

Ask: Could my jaw, eyes, blood vessels, migraine pattern, or neck be contributing? Do my age and symptoms require an eye or neurological examination? Which warning signs should send me to emergency care?