How to Get Rid of a Sinus Headache

Co-authored by Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: August 6, 2024 Fact Checked

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Many people experience headaches, but if your headache feels like pressure and tenderness behind your forehead, eyes, or cheeks, you probably have a sinus headache. Sinuses are spaces within the bones of your skull filled with air that they purify and humidify. Your skull contains four pairs of sinuses that can become inflamed or congested, causing sinus headaches. If you determine that the source of your headache is sinus pressure and not a migraine, you can reduce the inflammation and drain your sinuses using over-the-counter medication or professional medical treatments.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Medications

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1
Take antihistamines.^{[1]
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Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist

Expert Interview. 26 August 2020.} These medications block histamine, a substance your body makes as a response to allergens. Histamine is responsible for the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, itchy eyes, and itchy, runny nose). Several antihistamines can be purchased over-the-counter and are taken once a day. Second-generation antihistamines, like loratadine, fexofenadine, and cetirizine are all designed to minimize drowsiness, a problem with first-generation antihistamines (like diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine).^{[2]
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American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
National professional organization of allergists, asthma specialists and immunologists that focuses on supporting and publishing research

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- If seasonal allergies are the cause of your sinus headaches, try taking intranasal corticosteroids. These over-the-counter medications are the most effective at treating the allergies. Take fluticasone or triamcinolone spray daily, using 1 to 2 sprays in each nostril.^{[3]
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2
Use nasal decongestants. You can take these medications topically (as nose sprays like oxymetazoline) or orally (as pseudoephedrine) to relieve nasal congestion. Topical decongestants can be used every 12 hours, but not for more than 3 to 4 days, or you may develop rebound nasal congestion from decongestant overuse.^{[4]
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Research source} Oral decongestants can be taken between 1-4 times a day, depending on the medication.^{[5]
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National Health Service (UK)
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Go to source} Keep in mind that some decongestants are also combined with other medication types, like antihistamines or painkillers.^{[6]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Because it’s a major ingredient of methamphetamine (or speed), pseudoephedrine, alone and in combination with antihistamines, is highly regulated and kept behind the pharmacy counter to prevent stockpiling by methamphetamine manufacturers.
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3
Take pain relievers. You can take aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen for short-term relief of sinus headaches.^{[7]
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Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist

Expert Interview. 26 August 2020.} Even though over-the-counter pain relievers will not treat the underlying cause of a sinus headache, they can help reduce or remove the head pain associated with sinus trouble.
- Be sure to take them as directed on the packaging or by your doctor.
4
Take prescription medications. Headaches and facial pressure can be symptoms of sinusitis, also known as a sinus infection.^{[8]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Although sinusitis is typically viral, it can sometimes be bacterial. In case of the latter, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat a bacterial infection that can accompany or cause sinus headaches.^{[9]
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Research source} Symptoms of a bacterial sinus infection include a cough, yellow or green discharge from your nose, nasal congestion, fever, and fatigue.^{[10]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Your doctor may also prescribe triptans, which are medications used to treat migraines. Research has shown that the majority of patients with perceived sinus headaches had significant improvement in symptoms with triptans.^{[11]
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  PubMed Central
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  Go to source} Examples of triptans include sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, almotriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, and eletriptan.^{[12]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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Your doctor may recommend allergy injections if you don't respond well to medication, have significant side effects from medication, or have allergen exposure that's unavoidable. An allergy specialist (allergist) will typically administer the injections.^{[13]
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Cleveland Clinic
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6
Find out about surgical options. You'll meet with an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist who can determine if you need surgery to prevent sinus headaches. Nasal polyps that might cause sinus infections can be surgically removed, or your sinuses can be opened if you have a deviated septum.^{[14]
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- For example, balloon rhinoplasty involves inserting a balloon into the nasal cavity and inflating it to enlarge the sinus cavity.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Learning About Sinus Headaches

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1
Distinguish between migraines and sinus headaches. According to several studies, the majority of people diagnosed with a sinus headache had undiagnosed migraines. Fortunately, there are several symptoms that may help distinguish sinus headaches from migraines. For example:^{[15]
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- Migraines usually worsen with noise or bright light
- Migraines are accompanied by nausea and vomiting
- Migraine pain tends to pulse and throb
- Migraines won't have thick, nasal discharge or loss of smell
2
Recognize the symptoms and causes. The primary cause of a sinus headache is inflammation of the mucus membranes lining your sinuses. The inflammation prevents your sinuses from secreting mucus. This causes pressure to build up and causes pain.^{[16]
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Expert Source

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist

Expert Interview. 26 August 2020.} Sinus inflammation can be caused by any infection, allergies, infections of the upper teeth, or, rarely, tumors (benign or malignant). Symptoms of sinus headaches include:^{[17]
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Research source}
- Pressure and tenderness behind the forehead, cheeks, or around the eyes
- Pain that worsens with bending forward
- Pain in the upper teeth
- Nasal congestion
- Difficulty smelling
3
Check yourself for risk factors. Several factors can make you more prone to getting sinus headaches. These factors may include:^{[18]
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- A history of allergies
- A history of colds
- Nasal polyps
- Nasal deformities, such as a deviated septum
- Weakened immune system
- Smoking or being around smokers
If your headaches or related symptoms happen for more than 10 days, or you frequently use nonprescription pain medication, you should see your doctor. You should also consider seeing your doctor if the pain medication doesn't help a severe headache or the headaches interfere with daily life (for example, you often miss school or work because of headaches).^{[19]
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Your doctor will take a complete medical history and perform a physical exam to diagnose a sinus headache. During the exam, your doctor will touch your face to look for tenderness or swelling. Your nose will be checked for signs of inflammation, congestion, or nasal discharge. Your doctor may also order imaging studies like a CT scan, which helps them get a closer look at your sinuses.^{[20]
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Research source} If your physician thinks allergies may be contributing to your symptoms, you may be referred to an allergist for more testing.

Clear Your Sinuses With This Expert Series

Clearing your sinuses can sometimes feel impossible, especially if you have an infection. Use these expert articles to unclog your sinuses and finally get some relief.

1

Expert-Backed Tips & Remedies to Unclog Your Ears at Home

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Clear Your Sinuses and Ears

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4

16 Ways to Clear Nasal Congestion

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How to Clear Your Sinuses at Home

6

Clear a Sinus Infection

Expert Q&A

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Question

What causes a sinus headache?

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly’s list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI

Board Certified Allergist

Expert Answer

These usually occur when there's mucus that's impacted into the sinus cavities. Usually, the frontal sinus the main one, which triggers a headache near your forehead. They can be caused by a cold, allergy, or stuffy nose.

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Are there any medications I can take to relieve a sinus headache?

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly’s list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI

Board Certified Allergist

Expert Answer

Over-the-counter pain medications should take some of the edge off. Something like Tylenol or Advil will help.

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How do you get rid of a sinus headache naturally?

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly’s list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI

Board Certified Allergist

Expert Answer

I recommend using a nasal saline wash. It will flush out your sinuses and give you relief from the congestion.

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Warnings

Headache during pregnancy can be expected (especially during the early stages), but be aware headaches may also be a result of pre-eclampsia.^{[21]
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Older patients are more at risk for secondary types of headaches like trigeminal neuralgia.^{[22]
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