You may not immediately think of a headache as a cold symptom, but many people get a headache at some point while a cold is running its course. 

Adults get an average of two or three colds per year. Common cold symptoms include sneezing, coughing, congestion, and fatigue. Headaches as a cold symptom have not been researched much, but swelling in the sinuses might be one reason why they happen.

This article covers the common causes of cold-related headaches as well as some tips for feeling better if you get a headache with a cold.

How Colds Affect Your Sinuses

Your sinuses are a collection of cavities behind your cheeks, nose, and eyes. They make mucus to keep your nasal passages moist and help clean out dust, microorganisms, and other substances that don’t belong there.

When you get a cold, the virus infects your sinuses. Your body starts producing mucus in an attempt to wash it out. As mucus builds up, the sinuses get irritated and inflamed.

Is It a Sinus Headache?

Nasal passage swelling and inflammation from colds can cause very painful headaches. Often, sinus headaches are worse when you lean over or when you wake up in the morning.

Sinus headache symptoms include:

  • Pressure and pain in the foreheadPressure and pain behind the cheeks and eyesPain that is worse on bending or lying down

Inflamed sinuses can also put pressure on the trigeminal nerve (the fifth cranial nerve). This pressure causes pain behind the face as well as nasal congestion.

In addition to colds, allergies, and any illness that causes sinus congestion can cause a sinus headache.

Cold Headache or Migraine?

Some studies have suggested that many headaches that show up without acute inflammation are actually migraines, not sinus headaches. However, it’s easy to confuse the two because the location of the pain is similar, and a migraine can also irritate the trigeminal nerve.

Research has also shown that chronic sinus problems and migraines seem to have a complicated relationship. Sometimes, a person has two or more health conditions at once (comorbid conditions), with ongoing sinus pressure leading to migraines because there is irritation of the trigeminal nerve.

Migraine vs. Sinus Headache

One way to tell a migraine from a sinus headache is to look at your other symptoms. For example, noise and bright light often make migraines worse. Migraines can also cause nausea or vomiting. Sinus headaches do not typically come with these symptoms.

If you often get what you think are sinus headaches (with or without a cold), ask your healthcare provider if they could actually be migraines. Knowing which kind of headache is important to finding the right treatment.

Most of the time, cold headaches will go away once you’ve recovered. In the meantime, you may find relief from over-the-counter (OTC) medications or other treatments to relieve sinus pressure.

Fluids

Drinking a lot of fluids is essential when you have a headache as well as when you’re sick. Staying hydrated and drinking more water than you typically do will help thin the mucus so it can drain from your sinuses.

In addition, some people find relief using sinus rinses. For example, try using a neti pot. You can also try saline nasal sprays, which work by clearing out your nasal passages so the mucus drains more easily.

OTC Medication

There are several over-the-counter pain medications that can also help relieve headache pain:

  • Advil, Motrin (ibuprofen)
  • Tylenol (acetaminophen )
  • Aleve (naproxen)
  • Aspirin

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are often more effective than acetaminophen because they address inflammation, which can reduce swelling. 

Expectorant and Decongestants

You can also take an expectorant or decongestant to help mucus drain and relieve the pressure in your sinuses. For some people, this can help relieve a headache from a cold.

These medications relieve congestion in different ways. A decongestant narrows blood vessels, making mucus easier to drain. An expectorant breaks up and thins mucus to drain more quickly. 

Steam

Running a humidifier—especially when you are sleeping at night—keeps your airways moist, thins mucus, and helps you breathe more easily. 

If you don’t have a humidifier, try running a hot shower and sitting in a steamy bathroom. You can also try leaning over a steaming pot of water—just be very careful not to burn yourself. Putting a warm compress on your face can also be soothing and help loosen congestion.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you are concerned about your headache or feel like it might not be related to your cold, get in touch with your healthcare provider.

Headaches that are severe or come on suddenly can be an emergency. If this happens, don’t wait. Call 911 or go to the nearest ER. Other signs that a headache is being caused by something serious include:

  • A stiff neckVomitingNumbness or tingling in the arms

Summary

Headaches can be a cold symptom because the sinuses get inflamed, irritated, and congested. This can lead to head and facial pain. Sometimes, what feels like a cold-related headache is actually a migraine. However, migraines usually come with symptoms like light sensitivity and nausea that are not common with colds.

Treating cold headaches comes down to pain relief and treating congestion. OTC medications, decongestants, and expectorants are often enough, but increasing your fluid intake, using nasal rinses, inhaling steam, and using warm compresses can also help.