When to worry about facial pain and pressure with migraine

Migraine pain can be felt in the face, forehead, around the eyes, or jaw, sometimes with nausea, light sensitivity, sound sensitivity, or visual symptoms. Nasal congestion or facial pressure can make an attack feel like a sinus problem. Facial pain also has dental and eye causes, so a new pattern deserves evaluation.

Use prescribed migraine treatment as instructed and note the pain location, associated symptoms, medicines taken, and response. Rest in a quiet, dim room and drink fluids if you can. Do not take acute pain medicines more often than advised. Arrange review if attacks become harder to control.

Seek emergency care for a sudden severe headache, new weakness or numbness, confusion, fainting, seizure, trouble speaking, or persistent vision loss. Get urgent assessment for fever with neck stiffness, a painful red eye with reduced vision, or facial swelling. Contact your clinician if pain is new, worsening, follows injury, or differs from usual migraine.

Ask whether facial pressure fits your migraine pattern, whether sinus, dental, or eye checks are needed, and which treatment to use first. Ask which symptoms require emergency care.