Sinus pain is irritating and aggravating. An episode of sinus pain and pressure can take over your entire life, making it hard to work, sleep, and complete even basic tasks. Show
Your sinuses are hollow spaces created by the bones in your face. You have sinuses above your eyes, below your eyes, and behind your eyes and nose. These hollow spaces can fill with mucus when you’re congested because of colds, allergies, and irritation. If your sinuses get clogged and can’t drain, mucus gets trapped and pressure builds up. This can result in sinus headache, pain, and pressure around their sinuses. Most people experience sinus pain and pressure between three and five times per year. So it’s no surprise that many people want to know how to get sinus pain relief quickly. If you’re experiencing pain, pressure, or fullness around your nose, eyes, and forehead, we’ve got you covered. And if you have headaches or congestion, we’ll address those, too. Here are six science-backed ways to get sinus pain relief fast. 1. DecongestantsThere are many types of medications that can help relieve sinus pain. Decongestants are a popular and effective medication class that can clear up sinus pain fast. Decongestants decrease the inflammation in the tissue around your sinuses. This lets mucus drain so you don’t feel pressure and pain inside your sinuses. There are many types of decongestants, including oral medications and nasal sprays. Both types are available over the counter (OTC). Nasal sprays are a great option if you have nasal congestion as well as sinus pain. Some popular decongestants include:
Two quick notes: Nonsteroidal decongestants can cause rebound congestion, which can be difficult to get rid of once it develops. To avoid developing rebound congestion, don’t use these decongestants for more than 3 days in a row. Talk to your healthcare provider before using decongestants if you’re pregnant or have a history of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, or glaucoma. These medications might not be safe for you. 2. AntihistaminesIf you have a history of seasonal allergies, antihistamines are another type of medication that can relieve your sinus pain. Antihistamines block histamine, the chemical in your body that drives allergy symptoms. When your body senses an allergen, it releases histamine into your system to try to get rid of the allergen. But histamine also causes nasal congestion. Blocking histamine stops congestion and lets mucus drain from your sinuses, relieving pain and pressure. Like decongestants, histamines come as oral pills and nasal sprays. Popular OTC antihistamines include: 3. MucolyticsMucolytics are a type of medication that thins mucus and phlegm. The theory is that thin mucus moves more easily. That means it’s less likely to get stuck in your sinuses even if the tissues around the sinuses are swollen. There are many prescription mucolytics, but guaifenesin (Mucinex) is available OTC. It comes in pill and liquid forms, and it’s often combined with other medications, like decongestants. Save on popular cold symptoms medicationsView allPromotion disclosure GoodRx Health information and resources is reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides. Promotion disclosure GoodRx Health information and resources is reviewed by our editorial staff with medical and healthcare policy and pricing experience. See our editorial policy for more detail. We also provide access to services offered by GoodRx and our partners when we think these services might be useful to our visitors. We may receive compensation when a user decides to leverage these services, but making them available does not influence the medical content our editorial staff provides. 4. ClearUPThe FDA approved an OTC medical device for sinus pain called “ClearUP.” ClearUP is a handheld, pear-shaped device that uses electrical stimulation to clear congestion and treat sinus pain and pressure. Gliding the ClearUp device along your forehead above your eyes (brow), nose, and cheeks for up to 5 minutes per treatment can relieve sinus pain. 5. Over-the-counter pain relieversOTC pain relievers can also help sinus pain by decreasing inflammation. Popular options include: Like all the options above, make sure to check with your healthcare provider to see if these are safe for you. If you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t take ibuprofen. 6. Home remediesMedications can be helpful, but they aren’t right for everyone. Some of these medications might not be safe if you’re pregnant or have other medical conditions. Children and babies shouldn’t use any of these options without supervision from a healthcare provider. So whether medications aren’t an option or you just prefer to avoid them, here are some natural ways to relieve sinus pressure and pain:
How do you relieve sinus pain fast?The quickest way to relieve sinus pain is to begin treatment as soon as symptoms start. You may need to use more than one method to relieve sinus pain. If you’re not sure which to try first, or if what you’re doing isn’t working, talk to your healthcare provider. Most people don’t need antibiotics for sinus pain. But if your symptoms are getting worse, it may be a sign that you’re developing an infection on top of your sinus congestion. Your healthcare provider can help you figure out if you need to start antibiotics. What if you have sinus pain without congestion?If you’re having sinus pain without congestion, talk to your healthcare provider. It’s possible to have sinus pain and even sinus headaches without congestion. But this isn’t as common. You want to make sure there isn’t another reason you’re experiencing sinus pain, like a new medical condition. The bottom lineSinus pressure and pain are common symptoms that can disrupt your daily life. You may be able to relieve your sinus symptoms with home remedies and over-the-counter medications. The quickest way to relieve sinus pain is to start treatment right away. But if your symptoms aren’t getting better after a few days, or they’re getting worse, see your healthcare provider to make sure you aren’t developing an infection. GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines. Was this page helpful?thumb_up_outlinedthumb_down_outlined Let's Help You Breathe Better!Sign up for our GoodRx Health Asthma and Allergies Newsletter to receive up-to-date information on the latest medications, treatments, and savings that are most relevant to you.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. How can I release sinus naturally?Some natural ways to get your sinuses draining and relieve sinus pressure include drinking plenty of fluids; using a humidifier; avoiding cold, dry air; taking plenty of steamy showers; and drinking a cup of hot tea or soup.
How do you get rid of a sinus infection in 24 hours?Nasal washing or irrigation with saline (a natural nasal-safe decongestant) or a common over the counter nasal safe medicine can help reduce the excess mucus build-up and relieve other symptoms of post nasal drip, such as hacking and coughing.
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