1. Corticosteroid Medications for Sinusitis
The pain of a sinus headache is caused by pressure in the nasal cavity. That pressure is created when the nasal cavities become inflamed and mucus builds up in the passages. The source of the inflammation is almost always a bacterial infection called sinusitis.
Sinusitis can be episodic or chronic and has many causes. To stop the pressure you feel from a sinusitis infection, you have to treat the inflammation of the nasal cavities. Corticosteroids are used to help your body regulate inflammation and are often used to treat pressure from sinusitis. They are most commonly administered topically in the form of a nasal spray you can get from your doctor with a prescription. It can take days or weeks for these medications to reduces swelling in the sinuses and provide sufficient relief. If you have serious, chronic sinusitis, your doctor may prescribe an oral corticosteroid. These are effective, but they also come with many possible side effects.
2. Antihistamines for Allergy Sufferers
While allergies do not directly cause sinus headaches, your body's allergic response can cause conditions in the nasal passages that can produce or worsen sinusitis. If you treat the allergies with antihistamines, you can prevent the allergic response that is aggravating your sinuses. This should reduce or alleviate the symptoms of sinusitis, but it will not cure the infection. To cure the sinusitis infection and stop the pressure completely, you need a full course of antibiotics.
3. Decongestants to Reduce Swelling
Decongestants are vasoconstrictors that work directly on the blood vessels in the lining of the nasal passages to reduce swelling and pressure. These are available in both pill form and nasal sprays. The nasal sprays often work more quickly and effectively, but they should never be used for more than 3 days. You can get most decongestants over the counter, and they are often combined with antihistamines. These medications provide only symptom relief. Antibiotic treatment is still needed to get rid of the infection.
4. Alternative Self-Care Treatments
There are some ways to temporarily relieve the pressure of sinus headaches without medications. Apply heat to the sinuses in the form of a warm compress over your face or by inhaling steam over a pot of boiling water or in a hot shower. Draining your sinuses with a saline irrigator or nasal spray can also provide some relief. Eating something that's spicy may clear your sinuses, but the relief may last only a few minutes.
