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How to Get Rid of a Sinus Headache

02/28/2025

Have pain and pressure in your head been bothering you? Inflammation in your sinuses can lead to sinus headaches, causing discomfort around your nose and eyes. These headaches can make it hard to go about your day. But there’s help available to stop your symptoms.

What can you do to get rid of a sinus headache? Let’s take a closer look at different ways to ease symptoms…and prevent these headaches from coming back.

Eliminate Sinus Pressure

Uncomfortable sensations of pressure build up in your sinus cavities when you’re congested.  Finding ways to help drain these areas can help ease pressure. Try the following to help clear out your sinuses and keep them from getting blocked up again:

• Place warm compresses on the affected areas
• Rinse your sinuses using a neti pot with clean, distilled water
• Breathe in hot steam while taking a shower or enjoying a cup of tea or bowl of soup
• Try saline nasal drops or spray to help make mucus looser
• Prop up your head more on pillows when you sleep
• Drink a lot of fluids to help prevent mucus from thickening up

Try OTC Pain Relievers to Ease Discomfort

Does your face hurt from sinus headaches? That’s a common symptom as sinus cavities become blocked up with mucus and inflamed. You might have pain behind your eyes or on one or both sides next to your nose.

Using warm compresses and taking other steps to get rid of pressure may help ease pain. But you can also try an over-the-counter pain reliever for faster relief. A few types of these include:

• Acetaminophen
• Naproxen
• Ibuprofen

Ease Sinus Congestion with Decongestants

Clogged sinuses contribute to the pain and other symptoms you feel with a sinus headache. Decongestants help decrease swollen blood vessels and promote drainage in your sinuses for symptom relief. A couple of different over-the-counter kinds are available, such as:

• Oral decongestants
• Nasal sprays

Explore Medication Options for Allergies

Sinus headaches and allergies go hand in hand for many people. If you’re among allergy sufferers who deal with this kind of pain, you have a couple of options for relief, including:

• Prescription or OTC antihistamines to help prevent swelling in your sinuses
• Prescription or OTC nasal steroid sprays to help ease nasal membrane swelling

Take Antibiotics for a Bacterial Sinus Infection

Are your sinus headaches due to a bacterial infection? In this case, you may need to take antibiotics to clear up the infection and prevent it from getting worse.

Can You Prevent Sinus Headaches?

Stopping these headaches from happening depends on what might be causing them. You may need to see an ENT doctor if you have a deviated nasal septum or polyps that are triggering these headaches.

Book an Appointment for Sinus Pain Today!

Are you looking for help with frequent or recurring sinus headaches? Our ENT team at Coastal Ear, Nose, and Throat can help! Book an appointment online with us, so we can help you find relief for sinus pressure and pain.