How long sinus headache last

Doctors often recommend letting sinus infects resolve on their own. You can connect to a primary care doctor in your area using the Healthline FindCare tool. If you have a sinus headache, thinning out the congestion trapped in your sinuses may help. Try running a humidifier or irrigating your sinuses with a saline solution to cleanse the area. Breathing in steam may also help. Applying a warm, wet washcloth to the area of your sinuses may promote drainage and relieve pressure.

You can also try to promote sinus drainage by gently pressing on your sinus pressure points. Start with the area at the bridge of your nose between your eyes, and either tap or apply continuous pressure for about one minute.

This might loosen blockage caused by trapped mucus in your sinuses. To promote drainage from your nose, press lightly on both sides of your nose at once before tipping your head forward and blowing your nose. If you push the area underneath your eyes at the top of your cheekbones in and up, you may also experience some pressure relief.

Analgesics, such as ibuprofen Advil and acetaminophen Tylenol , can dull the pain you feel from a sinus headache. They also may treat other symptoms, like an achy jaw or fever. Oxymetazoline can cause rebound congestion after three days. If a sinus infection is causing your sinus headache, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines , mucolytics medications that clear your mucus , and decongestants. There are alternative treatments that may help relieve sinus headaches, too.

A review paper in Alternative Medicine Review suggests bromelain, a mixture of enzymes found in pineapple juice, may thin nasal secretions. The review also suggests that stinging nettle Urtica dioica may bring relief to cases of long-standing rhinitis. If you have reoccurring sinus headaches as a symptom of sinusitis or seasonal allergies, you may need to consider prescription medication to manage the condition.

Lifestyle changes to reduce congestion, such as avoiding allergens and incorporating aerobic exercise into your routine, might decrease how many headaches you get.

In cases of chronic sinusitis, a nasal surgery such as a balloon sinuplasty might be the only way to stop getting more sinus headaches. In rare cases, complications around the eye area can happen, resulting in the area being swollen and inflamed.

What are the sinuses? Sinusitis causes the lining of the sinuses to swell up. Boil a pint of water, then leave it to cool. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water. Wash your hands. Stand over a sink, cup the palm of 1 hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it. Sniff the water into 1 nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink.

Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat. Repeat the first 5 steps up to 3 times a day until your nose feels more comfortable.

View map. Posted By. Recent Posts. Speaking of Health. Sinusitis or migraine? Previous misdiagnosis Many people who assume they have headaches from sinusitis have been misdiagnosed and prescribed an antibiotic for sinusitis.

These are a few ways you can tell whether your sinus and nasal symptoms are part of a sinus infection or part of a migraine headache: When you have a sinus infection When you have a migraine headache You likely just had or have a cold. You do not have a cold. You have thick, colored nasal mucus. Any drainage from your nose is clear. You usually need to blow your nose and cannot smell well. Your sense of smell is not affected.

You usually can function. Your symptoms tend to get worse with physical activity, such as walking or bending over.

You may feel better after you lie down or sleep. Risk factors Migraine headaches can affect anyone. Proper diagnosis The cause of headaches can be difficult to determine.

Call if you have the worst headache of your life or a sudden, severe headache accompanied by any or all of these: Confusion or trouble understanding speech Fainting High fever Numbness, weakness or paralysis Trouble seeing, speaking or walking Quintin Cappelle, M. For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place.