Irritated eyes and deep, throbbing facial pain can disrupt your day and distract you from your work. If your symptoms are the result of allergies, you are at greater risk of developing other medical problems, including additional allergies, asthma and infections of the ear or lungs, according to MayoClinic.com. Consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment options.
Causes
Healthy sinuses permit air flow and drainage in the nasal passages. Inflamed sinuses block mucus and create an environment in which bacteria and fungus grow and thrive. A number of factors can cause this condition, including a cold or allergies, deviated septum, nasal polyps, a nasal bone spur or problems with cilia, the small hairs that sweep mucus from the sinuses.
When sinus pressure accompanies itchy, watery eyes, hay fever is likely the cause. The condition affects more than one in five people, according to MayoClinic.com. Symptoms generally appear immediately after exposure to a an allergen, such as dust mites, pollen or pet dander. Additional symptoms include nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing and runny nose.
Medications
Antibiotics are beneficial when sinus pressure is the result of a bacteria. When environmental irritants or a virus are the cause, antibiotics are not likely to help, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and nasal decongestants are over-the-counter options to reduce pain, although using nasal decongestants for more than three to five days can actually worsen nasal congestion. Antihistamines help reduce eye allergies, although the best remedy is to avoid the allergy-causing substance.Talk to your doctor about the best medicine for you.
Home Treatments
Reducing sinus swelling is the best way to treat sinus pressure and resulting pain. In conjunction with medications, home treatments can offer some relief from nagging eye and sinus symptoms. Use a humidifier or inhale steam from your bathroom shower two to four times daily. Apply a warm, moist compress to the eye and face area several times daily. Saline nasal sprays are helpful for clearing nasal passages. Drinking lots of fluids also helps to thin mucus. Using a dehumidifier to reduce the humidity in your home helps decrease eye allergies caused by dust, pollen and mold.
Considerations
Consult a doctor for diagnosis of chronic eye allergies and sinus pressure. Since eye pressure and facial throbbing are sometimes signs of a migraine headache, sinus headaches and migraine headaches are easy to confuse. A doctor will check your nose for nasal discharge and sinus inflammation. Imaging tests also help a doctor diagnose chronic sinusitis, a condition that causes facial congestion, headaches and nasal discharge. Chronic sinusitis often lasts for three months or longer and may result from bacteria or a fungus, MedlinePlus notes. If hay fever is your problem, a doctor will perform a skin-prick test or allergy blood test to determine your allergen.
