Sinus Headache Symptoms and Relief: Know the Causes and Treatments
Neurological DisordersHeadache
Explore This Topic

What Is a Sinus Headache?

What Is a Sinus Headache?
Marta Lebek/Stocksy
By
and
Updated on February 10, 2025
by
For some people, the classic symptoms of a sinus infection, including nasal congestion and discharge, are also accompanied by a dull ache or feeling of pressure in the head and face. This is often called a “sinus headache.”

Research suggests that most people who believe they have a sinus headache may actually be experiencing a migraine attack.

Here’s what to know about sinus infections, how to prevent and treat them, and how to distinguish a sinus headache from a migraine attack.

Sinus Anatomy and Headaches

Sinuses are air-filled cavities in the skull. There is a pair of sinuses behind the forehead, above the teeth, between the eyes, and behind the nose.

The sinuses are lined with mucous membranes that have tiny hairs called cilia. The cilia move mucus, a sticky, gelatinous material produced by the mucous membranes, out of the sinuses and into your nose for drainage. Along the way, the mucus traps bacteria and other germs that can cause infection and moves them out of the respiratory system.

If the linings of the sinuses and the inside of your nose become swollen from allergies or an infection, fluid can build up, causing congestion and producing intense sinus pressure and facial and head pain.

Signs and Symptoms of a Sinus Headache

A sinus headache usually occurs with other symptoms, says Geoffrey B. Trenkle, DO, a board-certified surgeon in otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery based in Los Angeles. These include:

  • A stuffy nose
  • Thick, often green or yellow nasal discharge
  • Sore throat
  • Postnasal drip
  • Cough
  • Bad breath
  • Fever (uncommon)
  • Pressure and fullness in your face that often get worse when you lean forward

The facial pain related to a sinus headache is generally located around your eyes, cheeks, and forehead.

“Not all headaches that feel sinus-related are due to sinus disease,” says Dr. Trenkle. These headaches might instead be atypical migraine attacks (those that don’t follow the usual migraine patterns) that mimic sinus symptoms, he adds. While migraine symptoms usually include throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes nausea, atypical migraine attacks might manifest as pressure in your sinuses or pain in your face.

Can Allergies Cause a Sinus Headache?

“Headache is not a very common symptom, in and of itself, of seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis [swelling of the nasal passages triggered by things like pollen or pet dander],” says Katherine Hamilton, MD, a neurologist at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, DC.

With allergies, it’s much more common to have nasal congestion symptoms, such as a stuffy nose or runny nose and eye-watering, she says.

But swollen nasal passages from allergies can block airflow and create pressure that resembles a sinus headache, Trenkle explains.

Allergies, or allergic rhinitis, can also increase your risk of a sinus infection.

 If you do develop a sinus infection from allergies, you may experience a sinus headache along with other symptoms, such as facial pressure and thick, discolored nasal discharge.

Prevention and Treatment of Sinus Headaches

Whether you get sinus headaches regularly or occasionally, here are some tips to help you prevent and manage them.

Prevention

The best way to prevent a sinus headache is to take steps to avoid triggers that can cause sinus inflammation or infection.

  • Clean hands: Wash your hands frequently and use hand sanitizer, especially during cold and flu season.
  • Social distancing: Stay away from people who have colds or other respiratory infections, as these illnesses can easily spread and trigger sinus problems.
  • A humidifier: Use a clean humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home and keep your nasal passages from drying out to reduce the risk of inflammation.
  • Hydration: Drink enough water to help keep your nasal mucus thin, which can minimize congestion and infection risk.
  • Clean air: Avoid smoke and other irritants that can trigger sinus inflammation.
  • Vaccination: Stay up-to-date with your annual flu shot to reduce your risk of infections.
  • Allergy management: If you have allergies, work with an allergist to manage them effectively.

Treatment

If you have a sinus headache, these tips may provide relief:

  • Nasal Irrigation Try using a neti pot to flush out your nasal passages. A review of studies shows nasal irrigation is a helpful treatment for sinus headaches.

     But be sure to properly clean the device and use sterile, distilled, or boiled and cooled water.

  • Pain Medications Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. But limit their use to no more than three days per week, says Dharti Dua, MD, a neurologist and headache specialist at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine in Columbus.
  • Nasal Sprays A nasal spray — either a decongestant or a steroid spray — may help. Keep in mind that overuse of nasal sprays (beyond two to three days) can further irritate the sinuses, leading to what is known as rebound congestion.
  • Moisture Therapy In addition to preventing sinus issues, a humidifier can also relieve sinus headache symptoms by softening mucus and promoting drainage.
  • Oral Decongestants These include Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) and Sudafed PE (phenylephrine), which are available without a prescription. If you have a history of high blood pressure or heart problems, talk to your healthcare provider before using oral decongestants.

     Also, be aware the FDA has proposed removing oral phenylephrine from store shelves because it doesn’t effectively treat nasal congestion.

  • Prescription Medications For severe cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe antibiotics or steroids if needed, says Dr. Dua.

When to Seek Medical Treatment for a Sinus Headache

There are times when you should seek medical help for a sinus headache. See a healthcare provider if you experience any of the following.

  • You have a severe headache or facial pain that doesn’t improve with the use of over-the-counter medications.
  • Your symptoms improve but then get worse again.
  • Your symptoms last longer than 10 days without getting better.
  • You have a fever that lasts longer than three or four days.
  • You have other symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting.

Be sure to get persistent headaches checked out, says Dr. Trenkle. You may be dealing with a sinus infection, migraine, or something else, and getting the right diagnosis means you'll receive the most effective and timely treatment.

Call 911 immediately if you experience the worst headache of your life or a sudden, severe headache along with confusion, fainting, numbness, weakness, or trouble with vision, speech, or walking. These symptoms may indicate a serious condition, such as a stroke, that needs immediate medical attention.

The Takeaway

  • Sinus headaches typically come with other symptoms, including stuffy nose, thick nasal discharge, facial pressure that worsens when you bend over, and pain around your nose, eyes, and cheeks.
  • Some people who think they have sinus headaches may be experiencing a migraine attack, which can cause similar facial pain and pressure symptoms.
  • Allergies rarely cause headaches on their own, but they can increase your risk of developing a sinus infection that may lead to a headache.
  • Prevention and treatment tips include using a clean humidifier, staying hydrated, managing allergies, and seeking medical care if symptoms last more than 10 days or worsen after improving.

Resources We Trust

Additional reporting by Becky Upham.

Meet Our Experts
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
jason-paul-chua-bio

Jason Paul Chua, MD, PhD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jason Chua, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Division of Movement Disorders at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He received his training at the University of Michigan, where he obtained medical and graduate degrees, then completed a residency in neurology and a combined clinical/research fellowship in movement disorders and neurodegeneration.

Dr. Chua’s primary research interests are in neurodegenerative disease, with a special focus on the cellular housekeeping pathway of autophagy and its impact on disease development in diseases such as Parkinson disease. His work has been supported by multiple research training and career development grants from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the American Academy of Neurology. He is the primary or coauthor of 14 peer-reviewed scientific publications and two peer-reviewed online learning modules from the American Academy of Neurology. He is also a contributing author to The Little Black Book of Neurology by Osama Zaldat, MD and Alan Lerner, MD, and has peer reviewed for the scientific journals Autophagy, eLife, and Neurobiology of Disease.

See full bio
Chris Iliades

Chris Iliades, MD

Author

Chris Iliades, MD, is a full-time freelance writer based in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. His work appears regularly on many health and medicine websites including Clinical Advisor, Healthgrades, Bottom Line Health, HeathDay, and University Health News. Iliades also writes a regular blog for The Pulse, a website for fetal health and pregnancy.

Iliades is board-certified in Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery. He practiced clinical medicine for 15 years and has also been a medical director for diagnostic research and a principal investigator for clinical research before he turned to full-time medical writing.

See full bio
Maggie-Aime-bio

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Author

Maggie Aime is a registered nurse with over 25 years of healthcare experience, who brings medical topics to life through informative and inspiring content. Her extensive nursing background spans specialties like oncology, cardiology, and pediatrics. She has also worked in case management, revenue management, medical coding, and as a utilization review nurse consultant. She leverages her unique insights to help individuals navigate the U.S. healthcare system and avoid financial pitfalls.

Maggie applies her extensive clinical expertise to create empowering education for readers at all stages. She is passionate about illuminating issues from disease prevention to health and wellness to medical personal finance. Her work can be found in GoodRx Health, Next Avenue, HealthNews, Insider, Nursing CE Central, Nurse Blake, AllNurses, and BioHackers Lab.

An active member of several professional nursing and journalism associations, Maggie founded The Write RN to fulfill her calling to teach.

When she's not crafting the next great article, you can find Maggie volunteering, reading, playing the piano, or savoring sunrise views at the beach.

See full bio
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Chronic Sinusitis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. January 27, 2022.
  2. Robblee J et al. Debunking Myths: Sinus Headache. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. June 20, 2021.
  3. Sinuses. MedlinePlus. May 2, 2024.
  4. Sobiesk JL et al. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Nasal Cavity. StatPearls. July 24, 2023.
  5. Sinusitis. MedlinePlus. May 2, 2024.
  6. Sinus Infection. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
  7. Ceriani CE et al. Headache and rhinosinusitis: A review. Cephalalgia. April 2021.
  8. Hay Fever / Rhinitis. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
  9. Signs of Allergies. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
  10. Sinus Infections. American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.
  11. Sinus Infection Basics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. April 17, 2024.
  12. Restivo J. How to get rid of a sinus headache. Harvard Health Publishing. July 17, 2024.
  13. Jin L et al. Application of nasal irrigation in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Asia Pacific Allergy. December 8, 2023.
  14. Is Rinsing Your Sinuses With Neti Pots Safe? U.S. Food and Drug Administration. October 5, 2023.
  15. Nasal Decongestant. Cleveland Clinic. April 20, 2023.
  16. FDA Proposes Ending Use of Oral Phenylephrine as OTC Monograph Nasal Decongestant Active Ingredient After Extensive Review. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. November 7, 2024.