SUNCT stands for short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing.
It belongs to the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, a group of primary headache disorders with one-sided pain and cranial autonomic symptoms.
SUNCT can resemble TN, but prominent eye redness and tearing are defining features.
Diagnosis is clinical and based on attack duration, frequency and autonomic symptoms.
MRI is usually considered because secondary causes can mimic SUNCT or SUNA.
Specialist review is important because treatment differs from TN and cluster headache.
Treatment should be led by a neurologist or headache specialist and usually focuses on preventive medicines.
Severe uncontrolled periods may require treatment in a specialist setting.
Do not start, stop or change treatment without specialist advice.
Frequent attacks can make eating, speaking, sleep and leaving home difficult. Record attack length, number, triggers and exactly which eye or nasal symptoms occur.
Very frequent attacks can make eating, speaking, sleeping and leaving home difficult.
Support for sleep, anxiety, low mood and coping can sit alongside medical treatment. It does not mean the pain is imagined.
If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental-health help that is not an immediate emergency, use NHS 111 and select the mental-health option where available.
Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing.
SUNCT requires both eye redness and tearing. SUNA has one or more cranial autonomic symptoms but not necessarily both.
Yes. Both can cause brief triggered attacks, but SUNCT has prominent autonomic eye symptoms.
A neurologist or headache specialist should confirm the diagnosis and lead treatment.
Other facial pain conditions and useful information
This information is for general guidance and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional.
What 567 people affected by trigeminal neuralgia and facial pain told TNA UK Pain is usually recorded at the point of care. Much of its impact happens somewhere else: at […]
