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How To Treat A Sinus Headache
A sinus headache is aching pain and pressure in your sinuses, the spaces behind your eyes, cheeks, and forehead. This type of headache could be a symptom of a sinus infection. It should go away once the infection clears up. In the meantime, you can treat a sinus headache with pain relievers and medicines to relieve congestion.
You may have symptoms like these with a sinus headache:
If pain is your only symptom, you probably don't have a sinus headache. A sinus headache usually has other symptoms as well, including:
Sinus headaches cause pain and pressure in your face and eyes. You might also have congestion and a post-nasal drip in the back of your throat. (Photo Credit: E+ / Getty Images)
Your doctor may suggest treating the pain and the cause of your sinus headache at the same time. They might recommend these medicines you can buy without a prescription:
Pain relievers. Drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen may help. Always read and follow the label, and don't use them for more than 10 days at a time without talking to your doctor.
Decongestants. These medicines help open your blocked sinus cavities. They do this by reducing the swelling and mucus in your nasal passages.
Follow the instructions carefully. You shouldn't use a nasal decongestant spray for more than 3 days in a row, or it could make your congestion worse. And don't use oral decongestants for more than 7 days. If you also take pain medicine, make sure the decongestant doesn't contain the same pain reliever so you don't accidentally get too much.
Nasal steroid sprays. In some cases, your doctor may suggest an over-the-counter spray and other drugs to reduce your congestion and pain. These are safe to be used long term, but check with your doctor first.
Antihistamines. These drugs may help if allergies cause your sinus problems. Some can cause drowsiness, so be sure to check the label before driving or doing anything else that requires alertness.
Over-the-counter medicines may be enough to relieve a sinus headache. If your headache isn't better after a week or it gets worse, your doctor may give you one of these prescription sinus headache medicines.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics like amoxicillin are the right medication if bacteria caused your sinus infection. These medicines can clear up the infection and reduce swelling in the sinuses when you take them for 5 to 10 days. Antibiotics won't help if a virus caused your sinus infection.
Corticosteroids
These medicines reduce inflammation in your sinuses and may help with sinus headache symptoms. Steroids come as a pill or nasal spray. Because of possible side effects like weak bones and infections, doctors don't usually prescribe steroids for long periods of time.
Leukotriene inhibitors
These medicines block leukotrienes, chemicals your body makes during an allergic reaction. Leukotriene inhibitors reduce inflammation and relieve sinus symptoms like a stuffy nose and postnasal drip. Examples of these medicines are:
To get rid of a sinus headache, you need to treat the infection that caused it. While you manage the infection, here are a few home remedies to help you feel better.
Steam inhalation
Breathing in warm, moist air may break up some of the mucus that's causing your sinus headache. One study found that steam inhalation reduced sinus headaches, although it didn't help with other sinus symptoms like a stuffed nose.
If you want to try steam inhalation, put a towel over your head, stand over a bowl or pan of boiled water, and breathe in the steam. Wait a minute after you boil the water so you don't burn yourself. Do this once or twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. You can also stand in the bathroom while a hot shower runs and breathe in the steam.
Warm compress
Wet a washcloth with warm water and place it over the painful part of your face to open up your nasal passages. Follow it with a cool wet washcloth to ease pain.
Using humidifiers
Humidifiers may help ease congestion if dry air causes your sinus problems. These devices add moisture to the air. It's important to rinse out your humidifier every 3 days or more often. When dirt gets into the mist, it can make allergies and asthma worse.
Drink warm fluids
Fluids thin the mucus in your nasal passages and make it easier to clear out. Warm liquids like chicken broth and herbal tea feel soothing when you're sick and give off steam that you can breathe in.
ClearUp is an electrical nerve stimulator that relieves sinus pain and congestion for up to 6 hours. When you roll the rounded tip of the device over your face, it applies a mild electric current to your sinuses.
ClearUp works in two ways, according to its manufacturer. The electric current stimulates nerves in your sinuses. That triggers the release of norepinephrine, a hormone that narrows blood vessels and reduces swelling and pressure in your sinuses. The device also relieves pain and pressure by stimulating the trigeminal nerve and preventing it from sending pain sensations from your face to your brain. You can use ClearUp for 5 minutes at a time, up to four times a day.
Side effects from the device are mild, including:
Don't use this device if you:
Ask your doctor before using ClearUp if you have heart disease. This device is not for children under age 18.
This minimally invasive procedure might be an option if you have chronic sinusitis and other treatments haven't relieved your sinus pain. You can have balloon sinuplasty in an operating room while you are asleep under general anesthesia, or in your doctor's office while you are awake but sedated.
During balloon sinuplasty, the surgeon threads a small balloon up your nose and into your sinuses and inflates it to widen your sinus opening. This lets mucus drain from your sinuses more easily. You should be able to go home the same day as the procedure.
After the surgery, you may have some pain and bloody discharge from your nose. If your sinus symptoms come back, you may need another procedure.
There are no quick fixes for sinus headaches. But treating the cause of your sinus problems with medicine and lifestyle changes should give you relief. You can try pain relievers and warm compresses to soothe your headache. Drinking water and resting can also help.
You can avoid sinus headaches by preventing the sinus infections and allergies that cause them. Try these tips to prevent a sinus headache:
Wash your hands. Hand washing gets rid of the germs that cause sinus infections. Also try to avoid anyone who is sick.
Know your triggers. Stay away from things that caused sinus headaches in the past, like certain foods or smells. Also avoid allergens like dust and pollen, or wear a mask if you have to be around these allergy triggers.
Treat colds and sinus infections quickly. Prompt treatment can prevent these infections from causing a headache.
See an allergist if you have seasonal allergies. They can prescribe medicine to prevent a stuffed nose from turning into a sinus infection.
Treat nasal polyps. These growths can block your sinuses and cause sinus headaches. Sprays, pills, and surgery treat polyps.
Fix a deviated septum. This is when the wall of cartilage and bone that separates your nasal cavity is off-center. In some people, a deviated septum can cause breathing problems and headaches. Surgery called septoplasty is the way to fix a deviated septum.
You can start with over-the-counter medicines and home remedies. See a doctor if your headache doesn't go away with these treatments, or if it lasts for more than 10 days.
Get medical help right away if:
A sinus headache causes pain and pressure behind your forehead, eyes, and cheeks. It could be a sign of a sinus infection. Over-the-counter pain relievers and home remedies may clear up the headache. If it doesn't go away with these treatments, see your doctor for prescription medications or other treatments.
How do I get rid of a sinus headache?
You can start with over-the-counter medicines like antihistamines, decongestants, or pain relievers. If those don't help, you may have an infection that needs treatment with antibiotics.
What does a sinus headache feel like?
With a sinus headache, you'll feel an aching pain and pressure in your cheeks, forehead, and nose. The pain may get worse when you bend over or lie down.
How do you release sinus pressure?
To ease sinus pressure, take an over-the-counter decongestant, antihistamine, or steroid nasal spray. Massage your forehead, nose, and the sides of your face with your fingers. Or breathe in the steam from the shower or a pot of boiling water.
Can I have a sinus headache without congestion?
If you have pressure and pain without a stuffy nose, you could have a migraine or tension headache. An ear, nose, and throat doctor or neurologist can do tests to figure out which type of headache you have.
Is It An Allergy Or A Sinus Infection?
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Generated by cloudfront (CloudFront) Request ID: o91c4vurV9xrDeV78SU1JnRTGv1vEQwCmnYDCESRzyvzmod4YU2mZA==Treatments And Home Remedies For A Sinus Infection
Possible medical treatments for a sinus infection include antibiotics, nasal sprays, oral steroids, and antifungal medications. Examples of home remedies include nasal irrigation, steam inhalation, and over-the-counter pain relief medications.
The sinuses are air-filled cavities that surround the nose. The ethmoid sinuses are between the eyes, and the sphenoids are in the middle of the head. The maxillary (cheek) and frontal (forehead) sinuses are often impacted by sinusitis. A sinus infection occurs when excess mucus blocks the sinuses.
When the sinuses are clear, mucus drains easily from the nose, clearing out dirt and bacteria. A sinus infection occurs when excess mucus builds up in the sinuses, allowing viruses, bacteria, or fungi to grow more easily in this moist, stagnant environment. It can also cause a thickening of the sinus lining.
Sinus infections can cause symptoms such as a runny or stuffy nose, pain or pressure in the face, and a sore throat. People may also refer to a sinus infection as sinusitis.
In this article, learn how to get rid of a sinus infection with home remedies or medical treatment.
According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), people can begin treating symptoms of a sinus infection with home remedies. If it is a viral infection, a sinus infection will usually resolve within 2 weeks.
The ACAAI recommends people only try treating a sinus infection using antibiotics if symptoms persist beyond 7–10 days to help prevent antibiotic resistance. People may find relief from sinus infection symptoms with the following home remedies.
Over-the-counter pain relief medicationsOver-the-counter (OTC) pain medication may help relieve sinus infection symptoms. These medications may include:
OTC pain relievers may help ease symptoms such as localized pain, fever, and headaches.
Nasal spraysPeople can use OTC decongestant nasal sprays on a short-term basis — for no longer than 3 to 4 days. Some nasal sprays, including steroid nasal sprays and saline, are also available OTC and are suitable for longer-term use. Nasal sprays may help reduce swelling in the nasal passages and allow mucus to drain from the sinuses.
Nasal irrigationNasal irrigation may help relieve symptoms of a sinus infection. People can use a neti pot, which is a small container with a spout, or a rinse bottle for nasal irrigation. However, it is essential that people only use distilled or sterile water for irrigation and thoroughly clean the device before and after use to prevent the reintroduction of germs.
Learn more about using Neti pots here.
Steam inhalationAlthough there is not enough evidence to show that steam inhalation is an effective treatment for a sinus infection, some people may find that it helps relieve symptoms.
RestPeople can try to get plenty of rest when they have a sinus infection. This will help the body recover and allow it to spend its energy fighting the infection.
Staying at home and resting can also help prevent spreading the infection to other people.
HydrationDrinking plenty of clear fluids will help the body stay hydrated during a sinus infection. People can aim to drink several glasses of water each day.
Warm compressesApplying a warm compress to the face may help ease pain and relieve pressure from the blocked sinuses.
To make a warm compress, people can soak a clean facecloth in hot water, wring it out, and place it on the affected areas of the face, such as the nose and forehead.
AntihistaminesAntihistamines help treat inflammation from an allergic reaction. This means they may be effective in clearing similar symptoms in a sinus infection, such as reducing swelling in the nasal passages and sinuses.
Medical treatments for sinus infections work to unblock and drain the sinuses if home remedies have not been effective. Options include:
It is not always possible to prevent coming into contact with infectious particles. However, people can reduce their risk of infections by:
People should contact their doctor if they have:
Children under 3 months old with a sinus infection should see a doctor immediately. Any child with a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or above should also see a doctor. However, sinus infections in infants are very rare.
Below are frequently asked questions relating to sinus infection management.
How do I get rid of a sinus infection asap?Resting, staying hydrated, and taking OTC and prescription medications (where applicable) are the most reliable ways of treating a sinus infection.
How long does it take for a sinus infection to go away?The duration of an infection depends on its cause, the treatments used, and a person's overall health. Many viral infections will resolve within 2 weeks.
Can you flush out a sinus infection?Rinsing the nasal passages can help to reduce symptoms of sinus infections, but will not flush out the infection itself.
Can I get rid of a sinus infection without antibiotics?In many cases a sinus infection is treatable with home remedies. They are also often the result of viral infection, so antibiotics will not help. However, in cases of persistent bacterial infection, antibiotics can be of use.
People may be able to treat a sinus infection using home remedies, such as OTC medications, nasal irrigation, and warm compresses. Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated are also essential as the body recovers.
If people have symptoms of a sinus infection for longer than 7–10 days or any severe symptoms, they can see their doctor for further treatment.
Antibiotics and prescription nasal sprays may help treat a sinus infection. In chronic cases, people may need nasal or oral steroids and surgery.
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