What causes pain on both sides of the head, right above the ears, when pressing? What should be done about it?

Generally, pain when pressing on both sides of the head directly above the ears may be caused by tension headaches, lack of sleep, temporal myofasciitis, radiating pain from otitis externa, cranial periostitis, or other reasons. Depending on the specific situation, general adjustments, physical therapy, medication, and other approaches can be used to improve symptoms. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Tension Headache

Prolonged stress causes sustained contraction of neck and head muscles, compressing local nerves and triggering pain. Reduce mental stress, perform a 10-minute scalp massage daily, maintain regular sleep habits, and avoid prolonged periods of looking down.

2. Sleep Deprivation

Inadequate sleep duration or poor sleep quality prevents proper recovery of brain nerves, making the head sensitive to pressure. Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep per night, avoid electronic devices one hour before bedtime, and consider soaking feet in warm water to promote sleep.

3. Temporal Myofasciitis

Chewing hard foods or trauma can lead to strain and inflammation of the temporal muscle fascia, causing significant pain upon palpation. Under medical guidance, medications such as celecoxib capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, or ibuprofen capsules may be taken, along with local heat application to relieve discomfort.

4. Radiating Pain from Otitis Externa

Bacterial infection of the external auditory canal causes inflammation, with pain radiating to the surrounding areas of the ear and head. Under medical supervision, use of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride ear drops or ofloxacin ear drops, oral administration of cefradine capsules, and keeping the ear canal dry are recommended.

5. Cranial Periostitis

Trauma or infection leads to congestion and edema of the cranial periosteum; pressure stimulation triggers nerve-related pain. Under medical guidance, antibiotics such as amoxicillin capsules, cefuroxime axetil tablets, or roxithromycin dispersible tablets may be prescribed. In severe cases, surgical periosteal incision and drainage may be required.

In daily life, it's important to avoid excessive fatigue, minimize strenuous chewing, and keep the ear canal clean. If pain persists beyond three days or worsens, especially accompanied by fever, hearing loss, or similar symptoms, prompt medical evaluation is necessary to determine the underlying cause.