How to get rid of sinus headache fast

When you have a sinus headache, all you want is relief...fast!

As the makers of BC® Sinus Pain & Congestion , we’re going to tell you to take our powder formula for fast relief. It can help you quickly relieve the sinus headache, congestion and pressure that can come with allergies, a cold, sinus infection or the flu.

But we also want to give you other options—simple things you can do at home to help relieve sinus congestion and pain. 

1. Warm or cool moist air

Dry air can make sinus pain worse, but moist air can help relieve sinus congestion. Do NOT hold your head over a steaming pot of boiling water or soup. As tempting as it may be when you feel bad, the hot steam can actually burn your skin and eyes. To be safe, inhale steam from your morning shower, either while you’re showering or sitting in a steamy bathroom.

At night, you can use a humidifier or vaporizer to help keep your sinuses open and your nasal passages moist. Just be sure to clean the machines as directed so you don’t introduce more bacteria into the air and into your airways. 

2. Warm compress

Warm compresses can help ease swelling and open your sinus passage, relieving sinus pressure and pain. Lie down for 15 minutes or so, placing a warm, wet washcloth over your forehead and bridge of your nose. You can do this as many times as you need.

3. Saline spray or wash

Many people use a saline wash to irrigate their nasal passages and sinuses every day. You may want to start with a saline spray or mist, which can be easier to use. The saline mist can help ease congestion in your nose and relieve sinus swelling as well. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you have been diagnosed with a sinus infection. You will want to use the spray or wash as directed so you don’t accidentally worsen your symptoms.

If it’s winter and you have sinus pain and congestion, you may also want to turn your heat down a few degrees, especially at night. Hot, dry air can make sinus pain worse and irritate your throat, nose and sinuses. Talk to your doctor for more tips to relieve sinus pain and congestion.

And remember, if you need relief during the day when you’re away from home, you can take BC® Sinus Pain & Congestion on-the-go stick packs with you. Slip one or two into your pocket or purse, or keep them at your workstation so they’re there when you need fast sinus headache relief.

Sinus pain is irritating and aggravating. An episode of sinus pain and pressure can take over your entire life, making it hard to work, sleep, and complete even basic tasks. 

Your sinuses are hollow spaces created by the bones in your face. You have sinuses above your eyes, below your eyes, and behind your eyes and nose. These hollow spaces can fill with mucus when you’re congested because of colds, allergies, and irritation. If your sinuses get clogged and can’t drain, mucus gets trapped and pressure builds up. This can result in sinus headache, pain, and pressure around their sinuses. 

Most people experience sinus pain and pressure between three and five times per year. So it’s no surprise that many people want to know how to get sinus pain relief quickly. 

If you’re experiencing pain, pressure, or fullness around your nose, eyes, and forehead, we’ve got you covered. And if you have headaches or congestion, we’ll address those, too. Here are six science-backed ways to get sinus pain relief fast. 

1. Decongestants 

There are many types of medications that can help relieve sinus pain. Decongestants are a popular and effective medication class that can clear up sinus pain fast. Decongestants decrease the inflammation in the tissue around your sinuses. This lets mucus drain so you don’t feel pressure and pain inside your sinuses. 

There are many types of decongestants, including oral medications and nasal sprays. Both types are available over the counter (OTC). Nasal sprays are a great option if you have nasal congestion as well as sinus pain. 

Some popular decongestants include:

• Nasal steroid decongestants:

• Other nasal decongestants:

Two quick notes: Nonsteroidal decongestants can cause rebound congestion, which can be difficult to get rid of once it develops. To avoid developing rebound congestion, don’t use these decongestants for more than 3 days in a row. 

Talk to your healthcare provider before using decongestants if you’re pregnant or have a history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or glaucoma. These medications might not be safe for you.

2. Antihistamines  

If you have a history of seasonal allergies, antihistamines are another type of medication that can relieve your sinus pain. Antihistamines block histamine, the chemical in your body that drives allergy symptoms. 

When your body senses an allergen, it releases histamine into your system to try to get rid of the allergen. But histamine also causes nasal congestion. Blocking histamine stops congestion and lets mucus drain from your sinuses, relieving pain and pressure. Like decongestants, histamines come as oral pills and nasal sprays. Popular OTC antihistamines include:

3. Mucolytics

Mucolytics are a type of medication that thins mucus and phlegm. The theory is that thin mucus moves more easily. That means it’s less likely to get stuck in your sinuses even if the tissues around the sinuses are swollen. There are many prescription mucolytics, but guaifenesin (Mucinex) is available OTC. It comes in pill and liquid forms, and it’s often combined with other medications, like decongestants.

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GoodRx Health information and resources is reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides.

Promotion disclosure

GoodRx Health information and resources is reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides.

4. ClearUP 

The FDA approved an OTC medical device for sinus pain called “ClearUP.”  ClearUP is a handheld, pear-shaped device that uses electrical stimulation to clear congestion and treat sinus pain and pressure. Gliding the ClearUp device along your forehead above your eyes (brow), nose, and cheeks for up to 5 minutes per treatment can relieve sinus pain.

5. Over-the-counter pain relievers

OTC pain relievers can also help sinus pain by decreasing inflammation. Popular options include:

Like all the options above, make sure to check with your healthcare provider to see if these are safe for you. If you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t take ibuprofen. 

6. Home remedies 

Medications can be helpful, but they aren’t right for everyone. Some of these medications might not be safe if you’re pregnant or have other medical conditions. Children and babies shouldn’t use any of these options without supervision from a healthcare provider.

So whether medications aren’t an option or you just prefer to avoid them, here are some natural ways to relieve sinus pressure and pain:

• Breathe in steam. Breathing in hot, moist air can relieve sinus pain and pressure. You can inhale moist air by sitting on the ledge of a bathtub with the shower running. You can also breathe in steam from a bowl of hot water. These techniques may be more helpful when combined with other home remedies to relieve a sinus headache. 

• Turn on a humidifier. Using a clean humidifier to moisten the air of your home may be helpful for sinus pain relief.

• Use nasal saline rinses. Saline nasal rinses can relieve your sinus pain without the use of medication. You can make your own saline rinse or buy premade rinses at your local pharmacy. Always use sterile water for saline rinses instead of tap water. This will keep you safe from serious infections. 

• Elevate your head. Propping your head up at night can help you breathe more comfortably and decrease mucus buildup in your sinuses. This can relieve sinus pain and pressure.

• Use a warm compress. A warm compress, like a towel soaked in warm water, over the painful area of the nose, cheeks, or forehead can relieve sinus pressure. 

• Get some rest. Rest is important to allow your body’s immune system to naturally fight a sinus infection. The National Sleep Foundation recommends healthy adults get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Teenagers, young children, and babies should get even more sleep. Improving your sleep hygiene allows your body to repair and restore itself.

• Stay hydrated. Up to 60% of the body is made of water. Drinking enough water lets your body keep up with its usual activities, including fighting off whatever is causing your sinus congestion.

How do you relieve sinus pain fast? 

The quickest way to relieve sinus pain is to begin treatment as soon as symptoms start. You may need to use more than one method to relieve sinus pain. If you’re not sure which to try first, or if what you’re doing isn’t working, talk to your healthcare provider. 

Most people don’t need antibiotics for sinus pain. But if your symptoms are getting worse, it may be a sign that you’re developing an infection on top of your sinus congestion. Your healthcare provider can help you figure out if you need to start antibiotics.

What if you have sinus pain without congestion?  

If you’re having sinus pain without congestion, talk to your healthcare provider. It’s possible to have sinus pain and even sinus headaches without congestion. But this isn’t as common. You want to make sure there isn’t another reason you’re experiencing sinus pain, like a new medical condition. 

The bottom line

Sinus pressure and pain are common symptoms that can disrupt your daily life. You may be able to relieve your sinus symptoms with home remedies and over-the-counter medications. The quickest way to relieve sinus pain is to start treatment right away. But if your symptoms aren’t getting better after a few days, or they’re getting worse, see your healthcare provider to make sure you aren’t developing an infection. 

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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