How to Get Rid of a Sinus Headache

Posted on by Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists

When you feel a headache coming on, you probably attribute it to stress, migraines, tension, tiredness or even loud noise. One possible culprit you may not consider is a sinus infection.

What Causes Sinus Infections?

A sinus infection is an inflammation of your sinuses. Common causes include:

Woman with a sinus infection, red spot on nose and temples.
  • Colds and flu
  • Allergies
  • Bacterial infections

What Do Sinus Headaches Feel Like?

While normal headaches usually pop up around the temples, upper forehead or sides of the head, sinus headaches are located at the front of the face, behind the eyes, cheekbones, nose bridge or forehead.

Most people describe sinus headaches as a dull ache rather than a sharp pain. You may also feel a heaviness in the face from congested mucus.

How Long Will My Sinus Headache Last?

Sinus headaches will generally clear with your sinus infections. Different types of sinus infections last for different periods. For example, a viral sinus infection, usually caused by a cold, will clear in about a week. On the other hand, bacterial sinus infections may last a few weeks and require treatment with antibiotics.

Tips to Alleviate a Sinus Headache

There are a few ways you can alleviate sinus headache severity, including:

  • Take short-term decongestants to reduce sinus swelling and help mucus drain
  • Inhale steam from a bowl of warm water with a towel draped over your head
  • Apply a warm compress to the painful areas of your face or drape a warm, damp towel over your nose, eyes and cheeks
  • Take over-the-counter pain relievers from your local Phoenix drugstore

In addition to at-home symptom relief, your sinus specialist will likely recommend one or more of the following to treat the underlying condition:

  • Balloon Sinuplasty to gently widen the sinus passages and promote better drainage
  • Antihistamines to minimize allergy symptoms, causing sinus inflammation and congestion
  • Steroids to reduce inflammation
  • Septoplasty to correct a deviated septum that’s blocking normal mucus drainage
  • Polypectomy to remove nasal polyps contributing to congestion

If you’ve been dealing with frequent sinus issues, contact Arizona Desert Ear, Nose & Throat Specialists for an appointment with one of our specialists. We can identify the underlying cause of your infection and get you started on the right treatment path.