Extreme sinus pressure

Sinus inflammation can cause pressure in the forehead, cheeks or around the eyes, often alongside blocked nose, reduced smell, facial tenderness or discoloured mucus. Chronic sinusitis tends to involve symptoms that continue or return over a prolonged period. Migraine can feel like facial or sinus pressure and may include throbbing head pain, nausea, light sensitivity or sound sensitivity without a nasal infection. Dental problems and other headache disorders can also produce pain in the face.

Rest, drink fluids and use a saline nasal rinse or spray if it is comfortable and suitable for you. Keep rinse equipment clean and use water prepared according to the product instructions. A warm compress may ease facial discomfort. A pharmacist or clinician can advise whether a pain reliever or nasal treatment is appropriate for your health history. Avoid putting unprescribed substances inside the nose, and do not assume that antibiotics are needed because pressure feels intense.

Get urgent help for swelling or redness around an eye, vision changes, severe headache with stiff neck, confusion, weakness, repeated vomiting, or a sudden severe headache. Arrange medical review if pressure is intense, keeps returning, follows an injury, comes with high fever, or is not improving. Prompt assessment is also sensible when one-sided symptoms, dental pain or a weakened immune system is present.

Ask: Does the pattern suggest sinusitis, migraine or another source? Where exactly is the pain and what examination is needed? Which nasal or pain treatments fit my medicines? What change would require urgent review?