The International Headache Society classifies ice pick headaches as primary stabbing headaches, also referred to as jabs, jolts, and – less concisely – ophthalmodynia periodica. It is a rare form of headache that only about 2% of the population experiences. One study calculated a mead onset age of 47-years-old, so this type of pain is not likely to occur in children or teenagers.

Pain associated with ice pack headaches is transient, and localized to around the eye socket or temple, generally lasting under a minute. According to IHS, one study indicated that 80% of these stabs lasted three seconds or less. The pain can manifest as a single jolt, or multiple jolts, and may appear just once a day, or various times during the day, though repetitive jolts throughout the day are rare.

If this abrupt, stabbing pain centralized around the eyes and temples sounds familiar, you are most likely suffering from ice pick headaches. Ice pick headaches are generally not accompanied by associated symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, or any visual disturbances, though these have been reported to occur. If you do experience symptoms like this along with your headaches, you should contact your doctor immediately.