Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsRhinosinusitisAllergic RhinitisAnatomic DifferencesEnvironmental FactorsMigraine HeadacheOther HeadachesIf It Doesn’t Go AwayWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Rhinosinusitis
Allergic Rhinitis
Anatomic Differences
Environmental Factors
Migraine Headache
Other Headaches
If It Doesn’t Go Away
When to Seek Care
Asinus headacherefers to pain or pressure around the forehead, eyes, or cheeks.Congestionoccurs when the tissue lining the inner part of the nose is swollen from inflamed blood vessels.Mucus(snot) may also be present with congestion.
While not typical, you may have a sinus infection and not have congestion.Allergiesand structural abnormalities of the nasal passages may also cause a sinus headache without a stuffy, congested feeling. And in some instances, the pain around your nose and eyes could also be a sign of amigraine.
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Reclassified Term
Rhinosinusitiscan develop from an infection, commonly due to a virus and less commonly resulting from bacteria or afungus. Different types of rhinosinusitis may present with different symptoms and require different treatments.
Acute rhinosinusitisis the most common reason for sinus headaches. This is a sudden and temporary inflammation of thenasal passagesor sinuses (air-filled spaces in your skull that drain into your nose).
Chronic rhinosinusitisis less common, but when it does occur, it’s more likely to cause a sinus headache without congestion.Chronic rhinosinusitisis characterized as sinus inflammation lasting at least three months despite treatment with at least two of the following symptoms:
Rhinosinusitis symptoms can generally be managed effectively at home with the following therapies until the infection or virus resolves:
Bacterial infections require treatment with anantibiotic, and fungal rhinosinusitis requiresantifungalmedication.
Allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, is another condition that can cause sinus headaches without congestion in some individuals.
Allergic rhinitis occurs when a person’s immune system overreacts to a substance (e.g., pollen or mold) that is usually harmless.
While typical symptoms include congestion and sneezing, often leading to a sinus headache, some people report dry nasal passages.Anantihistamine, a common allergy medication, often worsens this dryness.
Anatomic Nasal Structure
Although uncommon, specific anatomic nose variants may also cause a sinus headache without congestion.
If the pain associated with a deviated septum or other structural issues causes excessive discomfort, your healthcare provider may suggest one of these surgical procedures:
The external conditions around you can affect the sinuses. Sensitivity to environmental factors such as these may lead to headache pain:
Avoiding these triggers, drinking water, and using acool mist humidifiermay relieve sinus headaches.
Also, talk with a healthcare provider about using asalineor hyaluronic acid nasal spray to help moisturize the inside of your nose and sinuses.
A migraine may result in sinus pain due to irritation of thetrigeminalnerve, which branches into the forehead, cheeks, and jaw.
Othermigraine symptomscan include:
Your healthcare provider may recommend the followingtreatments for migraines:
For people who experiencechronic migraines, healthcare providers may prescribeBotox (onabotulinumtoxinA)injections.
PrecautionsAlways talk with a healthcare provider before taking any OTC medication. Tylenol and NSAIDs may cause harm to people with certain medical conditions. Also, do not give aspirin (an NSAID) to children under 18 due to the risk of a serious disease calledReye’s syndrome.
Precautions
Always talk with a healthcare provider before taking any OTC medication. Tylenol and NSAIDs may cause harm to people with certain medical conditions. Also, do not give aspirin (an NSAID) to children under 18 due to the risk of a serious disease calledReye’s syndrome.
Other Types of Headaches
In addition to migraines, other primary headache disorders can resemble sinus headaches.
Headaches that may be misdiagnosed as “sinus headaches” include:
Why Won’t My Sinus Headache Go Away?
A sinus headache that won’t go away could be a sign of chronic rhinosinusitis, a structural nose/sinus problem, or an undiagnosed headache disorder like migraine.
These conditions require a diagnosis and a well-thought-out treatment plan from a healthcare provider, typically an ear, nose, and throat doctor (ENT) or aneurologist(healthcare provider specializing in nervous system conditions).
As such, seek medical attention if your sinus headache is severe, persistent, recurring, or associated with worrisome features like fever.
Also, see a healthcare provider if you are experiencing “sinus headaches” and have a history of cancer or a weakened immune system (e.g.,diabetes).
When to Worry About Sinus Pressure Without Mucus
Sinus pressure without mucus becomes concerning when persistent, despite treatment for common diagnoses like allergies or headaches. Seek medical attention in such a case or if the dryness is associated with symptoms like chronicnosebleeds, fever, neck stiffness, unusual fatigue, weight loss, or confusion.
Summary
Most sinus headaches are associated with congestion (swollen membranes inside the nose and sinuses), but not always. Conditions or factors that affect the nose/sinuses include allergies, infections, irritants, and structural abnormalities, like a deviated septum. Sometimes, a sinus headache is actually a migraine.
Treating a sinus headache with or without congestion requires addressing the root cause. It may involve therapies like taking an OTC painkiller, using a cool mist humidifier, or, less commonly, antibiotics, prescription headache medication, or surgery.
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