What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Coin-Shaped Cephalgia
• Coin-Shaped Headache
• NH (Nummular Headache)

What is Nummular Headache? (Definition/Background Information)

• Nummular Headache (NH) is an uncommon form of primary headache disorder, which is characterized by mild to moderate intensity pain of variable durations, felt on a circular or elliptical shaped region exclusively on the scalp. The term nummular indicates “resembling a coin”
• The condition may be chronic (lasting over three months), and the pain may sometimes increase in intensity. Nummular Headache may be accompanied by decreased skin (physical) sensation, tenderness, numbness, tingling, and nerve pain
• The cause of Nummular Headache is not well-understood. It is important to rule out any scalp lesions (cutaneous or subcutaneous), prior to diagnosing the condition as NH
• Individuals of any age group, gender, race, or ethnicity may be at risk for Nummular Headache. However, the condition is generally rare

The criteria for diagnosis of Nummular Headache as outlined by the International Headache Society (IHS) is given below:

• Continuous or intermittent head pain fulfilling the criterion below
• Felt exclusively in an area of the scalp, with all of the following four characteristics:
  • Sharply-contoured
  • Fixed in size and shape
  • Round or elliptical
  • 1-6 cm in diameter
• Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis

(Source: International Headache Society Classification ICHD-3, London, United Kingdom)

Diagnosis: It is important to eliminate the presence of any skin or scalp lesions via appropriate exams and procedures prior to diagnosing Nummular Headache.