There are narrow passages and hollow space inside the nose from which we breathe. This hollow space is called the sinus area. In a sinus infection, the nasal passages become blocked and irritated due to allergy, cold, flu, pollution and smoke.
There is excess mucus secretion. If the patient does not take immediate treatment for sinus infection, it spreads and causes inflammation, headache and congestion in the face and head. Due to this, there is pain in the nose. There is pressure in the cheeks also. Weather changes increases the sinus headache. Some people have sinus headache due to pollen allergy, as a result of which excess mucus is formed leading to sinus. Mucus increases the pressure, leading to forehead pain.
If there is pain in the area surrounding the eyes, it is not a sinus headache but it is a sign of migraine. The most common sign of sinus headache is dull pain in the forehead. You will also have throbbing pain in the face. The pain increases when you do any movements such as bending. You will feel pressure in the sinuses. Mostly, the patient has pain in the morning. If the normal routine of life is stopped due to sinus headaches, you must try home remedies for curing the condition. Some of the best home remedies for sinus headaches are as follows.
11 Effective Home Remedies For Sinus Headaches
Take Rest And Drink Water
If you have sinus headache, you must take rest. Exhaustion can cause discomfort and pain. When you have sinus headache, you must drink water and take paracetamol. You can drink warm water and tea. Drinking water helps in increasing sinus drainage. It prevents dryness and irritation in the nasal lining. It also prevents congestion.
Ensure Proper Ventilation
Usually, the house is sealed to keep it warm. If you seal the house, it will cause growth of harmful microorganisms that can worsen the sinus problem. Therefore, you must ensure that the house is properly ventilated. There should be open area in the house through which fresh air can enter the house.
Use Humidifier
Sinus headache can be due to living in overheated dry house. You must take steps to increase the amount of humidity in the environment in the house. Use humidifier as it makes the air humid, which is very important for curing sinus.
If you have children, you must use cool air humidifier instead of steam humidifier. You can also use vaporizer. You can also take hot bath or shower, which helps in curing sinus headache.
Take Herbs
You can take some herbs for curing sinus headaches. You must eat pineapple as it contains the enzyme bromelain, which helps in curing the inflammation of sinus passages. People who have sinus due to allergy can take Quercetin antihistamine, which is found in plants. Some useful herbs for curing sinus headache are willow tree bark, devil’s claw and Chinese skullcap. You can use these herbs in the form of tea or tablets.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a very effective remedy for sinus headaches. Make cinnamon paste by mixing little cinnamon powder with water. Application of this paste on the forehead can cure the sinus headache. You can mix little sandalwood powder also before you apply the paste. Sandalwood powder helps in preventing burning of skin caused by cinnamon.
Steam Inhalation
Steam inhalation is very effective in sinus headache. You can add essential oils like peppermint, chamomile and lavender oil to the water. You can add some apple cider vinegar to the steam water.
You can also take steam inhalation by taking hot shower. Steam inhalation decreases the stuffiness and pain. It opens and clears the nasal passage. Steam has a soothing effect on mucus lining. Inhaling steam helps patients in breathing easily.
Vitamin C
If you have sinus headache, take foods that contain Vitamin C. These foods contain antioxidants, which helps in curing sinus and increases immunity. Foods that rich in Vitamin C include oranges, lemon, strawberries, kiwifruit, papaya, gooseberry, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, grapefruit, cauliflower, tomato, pomegranates and many other. You can drink lemonade and tomato soup. You can add lemon juice to green tea.
Take Warm Soups And Spicy Foods
If you have sinus headache, you must take warm soups as it helps in curing nasal congestion. Add black pepper powder to the soup. Avoid foods that are ice cold. People who have sinus do not get a good taste of the food they eat.
You must add spices to the food. Spicy food helps in opening nasal blockage, which is the main cause of sinus headache. Ginger is a very good remedy for curing headache. While making tea, add some ginger to it. You can add pepper powder to the tea.
Aromatherapy Massage
Massage with aromatherapy oils is a very good remedy for sinus headaches. In aromatherapy, essential oils are used. The scent or smell of the essential oils is very refreshing and uplifts the mood. Some essential oils that you can use for sinus headache are peppermint, eucalyptus and oregano oils. Massage forehead and temples with any essential oil. You must do the massage gently.
Hot And Cold Compress
If you have sinus headache, you must compress the face with a hot towel. Dip a towel in hot water. The water should not be very hot; it should be so hot that you can tolerate the heat without burning the skin. Squeeze the towel to remove extra water from it.
Apply the towel on the face. The towel should cover forehead also. Keep the towel for 10 minutes. Heat application on the sinus region decreases sinus pressure and releases mucus. You can alternate the hot compress with a cold one. Apply the hot towel for 3 minutes. After this, apply a cold compress for half minute. Relax with the eyes in a closed position. Do this remedy three to five times daily.
Use Saline Nasal Spray
Opening the congested nasal passages is one of the best home remedies for sinus headaches. People who have sinus have problem in breathing due to congested nasal passages.
You can take help of nasal spray for opening the nasal passage. You can make your own saline nasal spray by mixing warm water with little amount of salt. Spray this solution inside the nostrils. This spray opens the nasal passage by making it moist. It is a very good remedy for curing nasal congestion.
Caution: Please use Remedies after Proper Research and Guidance. You accept that you are following any advice at your own risk and will properly research or consult healthcare professional.