Electroencephalogram (EEG)

EEG (Electroencephalography)

How It Feels

There is no pain with an electroencephalogram (EEG).

If paste is used to hold the electrodes, some paste may stay in your hair after the test, so you will have to wash your hair to remove it. If needle electrodes are used (which is rare), you will feel a brief, sharp prick (about like having a hair pulled out) when each electrode is inserted. If electrodes are placed in your nose, they may cause a tickling feeling and, rarely, some soreness or a small amount of bleeding for 1 to 2 days after the test.

If you are asked to breathe rapidly, you may feel light-headed or have some numbness in your fingers. This reaction is normal. It will go away a few minutes after you start breathing normally again.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: November 6, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Barrie J. Hurwitz, MD - Neurology
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