|  | Conditions Treatments | Cold Flu

How to Stop the Pain and Pressure from a Sinus Headache

The sinuses are air-filled spaces between the bones of your face. The sinuses help mucus drain from your nose, but sometimes, your sinuses can swell and prevent the drainage of mucus. This swelling triggers sinus pressure in the face and a painful sinus headache. While pressure and pain eventually subside on their own, a few remedies can provide quick relief.

  1. Add a Humidifier

    • A dry climate can trigger sinus congestion, as well as produce sinus pressure and pain. Running your home's heating system is a common cause of dry air. Eliminating dry air with a home humidifier is an effective remedy for sinus pain and a sinus headache. Choose between a cool mist humidifier and a warm mist humidifier, as best fits your needs. Place the device in your bedroom or another room in your house to moisten the air and stop sinus swelling.

    Warm Compress

    • Run a cloth under hot water and place the cloth over your face for several minutes. The warmth from the compress helps reduce inflammation in your sinus cavity. Breathing in the heat also promotes mucus drainage, which helps clear congestion in your sinus cavity and reduces sinus pressure and pain.

    Herbal Relief

    • Several herbal products are traditional remedies for a sinus headache and sinus pressure. Buy herbs directly from a natural food store or pick up a few aromatherapy products from an herbal shop. Herbs that may provide relief include peppermint, rosemary, lemongrass and eucalyptus. Inhaling these herbs helps open your sinus cavity and promotes sinus drainage. This reduces congestion and slowly eases pressure, headache and pain.

    Nasal Wash

    • A nasal or sinus rinse also relieves congestion and sinus problems. If you suffer from allergies, rinsing your sinuses can remove particles that cause congestion, such as pollen or pet dander. Use a neti pot, shaped like a teacup, for a sinus rinse. Purchase it from a drug store and a health food store. The neti pot will include instructions regarding the amount of warm water and salt to add to the container. Once you have the proper mixture of water and salt, tilt your head over the sink and pour the liquid into your upper nostril. The mixture will flow through your sinuses, removing particles and cleaning congestion. The liquid drains from your lower nostril.

    Over-the-Counter Medications

    • If you're unable to ease sinus pressure, sinus pain and a sinus headache with drug-free methods, self-treat with over-the-counter medications. Purchase a saline nasal spray or a nasal decongestant. Both remedies help reduce sinus swelling and increase mucus drainage, which reduces pain and pressure. Take medication as directed. If your symptoms do not respond to OTC drugs, consult a doctor. You may have a sinus infection and require an antibiotic.

Cold Flu - Related Articles