What causes facial pain and pressure?

Sinusitis can cause pressure around the cheeks, nose, forehead, or eyes, often with a blocked or runny nose. Chronic sinusitis describes symptoms that continue or return over a longer period. Migraine may cause one-sided facial or head pain with nausea or sensitivity to light, even when nasal symptoms are absent. Cluster headache causes severe pain around one eye and may bring tearing, a red eye, or a blocked nostril on that side. Tooth infection, jaw-joint irritation, and tight facial muscles can also create localised pressure.

The pattern matters: note where the discomfort starts, whether it is constant or comes in attacks, and any changes in vision, smell, temperature, or jaw movement.

Rest, drink fluids, and avoid known headache triggers while you observe the pattern. A pharmacist can advise whether a suitable pain reliever or saline nasal treatment fits your symptoms and medicines. Arrange a clinical assessment if pain persists, keeps returning, affects sleep, or is associated with tooth pain. A clinician may examine your nose, eyes, teeth, jaw, and nerves before deciding whether further tests are needed.

Seek urgent medical help for sudden severe facial or head pain, new weakness or confusion, fainting, vision loss, a swollen eye, or difficulty breathing. Prompt assessment is also needed for facial pain with high fever, marked redness, or rapidly worsening swelling, particularly around the eye.

Could my symptoms fit sinusitis, migraine, or cluster headache? Does my pain pattern suggest a dental or jaw cause? Which warning signs should make me seek urgent help?