You have aheadachesmack dab on your forehead—what is it? Forehead headaches (or frontal headaches) are common and here are some potential culprits.
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Tension Versus Migraine Headache
A migraine, on the other hand, usually occurs on one side of the head (but can be both) and causes a throbbing sensation, like a drum beating on your skull. Migraine headaches tend to be more severe thantension headaches, usually requiring a respite from work or play (a tension headache can usually be tolerated at work or social gatherings).
Unlike a migraine, a tension headache is not associated with a migraine aura. Although, people with tension headaches do sometimes report a loss of appetite, and they may also report sensitivity to light or sound (one or the other though, not both).
A number of factors can exacerbate both tension and migraine headaches likehunger, sunlight or bright light exposure, and sleep deprivation. Other shared triggers include travel, physical activity, reading, and exposure to cold or warm temperatures, as well as wine, aged cheeses, MSG, and caffeine withdrawal.
As you can tell, your suspected headache trigger is likely not going to be helpful in distinguishing between migraines and tension headaches. That being said, avoiding these suspected triggers in the future can prevent a headache from starting in the first place.
Cluster Headache
It’s helpful to note too that the vast majority of people with a cluster headache are agitated and unable to lie down—the pain is just that unbearable.
Sinus Headache
Sinus headaches are often confused with migraines because both commonly cause head pain in the forehead. In fact, studies show that in the vast majority of cases, people (and their healthcare providers) think they are suffering from a sinus infection when they are really experiencing a migraine attack.
Clues that you have a frontal sinus infection include:
To distinguish from other types of frontal headaches, an otolaryngologist (ENT doctor) can perform a nasal endoscopy and possibly a CT scan to see if you have a buildup of mucus in your frontal sinus. It can be tricky though because sometimes the CT scan will show a mucous buildup, but the cause of your headache is still not sinus disease (confusing, right?). This is just the reality of medicine, and why thediagnosis of your headachetype can be a tedious process.
Hemicrania Continua
Hemicrania continuais a painful, one-sided headache that occurs all the time (it never stops) on a daily basis without relief. It is a rare cause of a headache but can occur on the forehead, as well as the temples, around the eyes, or the back of the head.
Rare Secondary Headaches
These are way less common causes though, and there are usually other signs and symptoms that hint at their diagnosis.
That being said, it’s important to seek medical attention right away if your headache is associated with other headachewarning signslike impaired vision, speech, muscle weakness, or numbness and tingling. New headaches or a headache that is unique from prior headaches (lasts longer or feels different) warrants a medical evaluation.
Forehead headaches are common, but getting to the bottom of what is causing them is useful. Recording your symptoms and potential headache triggers in a phone note or journal will help you and your healthcare provider piece together your diagnosis andtreatmentplan together.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Hague B, Rahman KM, Hoque A, Hasan AT, Chowdhury RN, Khan SU, etal. Precipitating and relieving factors of migraine versus tension type headache.BMC Neurol.2012 Aug 25;12:82.Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society. “The International Classification of Headache Disorders: 3rd Edition (beta version)".Cephalalgia2013;33(9):629-808.Schreiber CP, Hutchinson S , Webster CJ, Ames M, Richardson MS, Power C. Prevalence of migraine in patients with a history of self-reported or physician-diagnosed “sinus” headache.Arch Intern Med2004 Sep;164(16):1769-72.Schwedt TJ. Hemicrania continua.In: UpToDate, Basow DS (Ed), UpToDate, Waltham, MA, 2014. Accessed Nov 28th 2014.Seiden AM & Martin VT. Headache and the frontal sinus.Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America.2001;34(1):227-41.
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