7 Ways to Get Rid of a Sinus Headache Right Now -

1. Use a Humidifier

When mucus is thin, your sinuses naturally clear out. But when the mucus becomes thick and blocks drainage, the sinus pressure builds, causing pain associated with a sinus headache, Reddy says.

But adding moisture to the air using a humidifier helps keep the mucus thin and aids with draining and reducing pressure in the sinuses. “Moist air thins mucus, which can otherwise be thick and sticky when the sinuses are inflamed,” Reddy says. Research shows that the sinuses efficiently self-clean when the humidity level is at least 30 percent, or even better, 45 percent.

If you don’t currently have a humidifier, take steamy showers and expose yourself to humidity by drinking plenty of hot fluids (like tea and soup), which also help with hydration, Reddy says.

2. Try a Saline Nasal Spray

Saline nasal sprays — sterile saltwater solutions that you squirt into your nostrils — can help moisturize and cleanse the nasal passages.

They also help rinse out allergens, dust, and thick mucus from the sinuses, Reddy says. “This cleaning action allows the sinus passages to open up, reducing pressure and easing sinus headache pain.”

Saline nasal sprays don’t contain any medication, and they’re safe to use as often as you need, Reddy says. You can buy a saline nasal spray from your local drugstore.

3. Try Nasal Irrigation

Rinsing your sinuses using nasal irrigation can help clear the passageways and provide relief. You can use a saline solution along with a sinus rinse bottle, neti pot, or bulb syringe irrigation kit, which are all likely available at your local pharmacy. These devices all have a long spout that delivers the solution through one nostril and out the other to clear everything out, Reddy says.

Here’s how Reddy recommends making a nasal irrigation solution: In a clean glass, combine 8 ounces of distilled or sterile lukewarm water with 1/2 teaspoon of noniodized salt and a pinch of baking soda.

Do not use tap water unless it’s been boiled for three to five minutes — unboiled tap water isn’t safe because it may contain infection-causing organisms, per the FDA.

Be sure to clean all equipment and make a fresh batch of solution each time you use your kit.

Bellak recommends using a nasal irrigator every day to help clear mucus and reduce inflammation.

4. Use Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil, with its invigorating, cooling scent, can help relieve some of the pressure. Research shows that eucalyptus essential oil, particularly its main component called 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol) has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help relieve sinus headaches.

You can use eucalyptus oil by dropping some into a diffuser and inhaling the steam or by applying it on your skin. “Inhalation through a diffuser allows the eucalyptus oil’s volatile compounds to reach the respiratory tract, providing relief from congestion and inflammation,” says Bellak. If you use it topically, make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil, after which it can be applied to the chest or temples to provide localized relief, Bellak says.

5. Alternate Hot and Cold Compresses

Applying warmth to the face around the sinus areas increases blood flow, which can reduce sinus congestion and loosen mucus, Reddy says. Meanwhile, “cold compresses may help numb the pain, reduce inflammation, and decrease sinus swelling.” Switching between these temperatures may stimulate blood circulation, encourage drainage, and provide relief from both pain and pressure, Reddy says.

To use hot and cold compresses at home: Start by placing a hot towel or washcloth across your sinuses for about three minutes. Then place a cold compress across your sinuses for 30 seconds. Alternate two more times, and repeat the treatment about four times a day, Reddy recommends.

6. Eat Spicy Foods

Many people find that adding hot sauce to their meals can help clear their nasal passages. That’s because spicy foods contain the compound capsaicin (found in chili peppers), which acts as a natural decongestant by promoting mucus production and drainage.

“For people with sinus headaches, eating spicy foods might prompt a brief increase in runny nose and tears, helping to clear congested passages and ease pressure and pain,” Reddy says.

Capsaicin preparations have been investigated for the treatment of some facial pain syndromes and of rhinitis with promising preliminary results, Reddy says. So if you have the taste (and stomach) for spicy foods, you can try testing your tolerance to help with sinus discomfort.

7. Swipe on Some Vaporizing Ointment

A vaporizing ointment rub like Vicks VapoRub, the balm that almost magically quells coughs, is also a good home remedy for sinus pain.

That’s because vaporizing ointments contain camphor and menthol, which reduce activity in certain receptors that help you detect pain.

“This can lead to a reduction in pain perception and an improvement in the nasal sensation of airflow, which can alleviate sinus congestion and associated headaches,” says Bellak.

For sinus headache relief, Bellak recommends applying Vicks to the chest and covering the area with a warm, dry cloth. “The warmth can amplify the release of vapors from the Vicks, enhancing the inhalation of its soothing components, which can help relieve nasal congestion,” he says.

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