Updated: 8/15/2019

Sinus pressure and pain can affect most of us at some points in our life. We all know that sinus pressure’s symptoms are unpleasant. Fortunately, there are several home remedies and tips that help you to alleviate sinus pressure and pain whatever the causes of sinus pressure & pain are. There are many triggers causing sinus pressure and pain. Some of them are allergies, common cold, or a sinus infection. Therefore, it is time for me to introduce to you the best home remedies for sinus pressure & pain.

Best Home Remedies For Sinus Pressure And Pain – 13 Effective Tips And Techniques You Should Know

Sinus pressure is the common disease for people. It happens when the lining of sinuses gets inflamed. The common cause of sinus pressure is viral infection. However, if you suffer from sinus pressure, you do not need to worry because the symptoms of sinus pressure will disappear for two or three weeks. The sinuses are the small air-filled cavities behind your forehead and cheekbone. The sinuses produce the mucus which can go through the small channel and drain into your nose. However, when you experience the sinus pressure, these channels are blocked due to inflamed sinus lining. Because the upper respiratory tract infection or a cold can lead to sinus pressure, you may develop the symptoms such as a yellow or green discharge from the nose, a block nose, tenderness and pain around your eyes, cheek and forehead, fever, toothache, bad breath and reduced sense of smell.

Children who suffer from sinus pressure & pain may feel difficulty in breathing through their nose. As the result, they breathe through their mouth. The voice will sound nasal. Depending on the severity of sinus pressure, this condition will last within a few weeks if sinus pain is acute. They will last more than three weeks if you suffer from chronic sinus pressure. If the symptoms of sinus pressure, pain are mild and can disappear for a few weeks or a few months, you do not need to see the doctor. However, if you suffer from severe sinus pressure, have these serious symptoms such as frequent headache, worse pain, you should make an appointment with the doctor in order to get diagnosed and suitable treatment. The doctor will examine the inside of the nose in order to find out the underlying problems. Further tests from nose, throat and ear specialist should be carried out.

There are many ways that help you to get rid of the pain and discomfort by taking prescribed pain killers like ibuprofen or paracetamol, using nasal decongestants, holding warm packs to your face, or cleaning your nose with saline solution. However, some treatments are expensive or may have some unwanted side effects. Therefore, it is time for me to introduce to you some best home remedies for sinus pressure and pain you can apply. If you concern, please read the article below on AllRemedies.com to know more.

1. Flush Your Nasal Passage With Saline Solution

Although there are a lot of ways on how to treat sinus pressure & pain that make you confused, the effectiveness of saline spray or washes such as neti pot are not ignored. Using saline spray will thin your mucus and remove it out of your sinus passages, according to Spencer C. Payne, a professor of rhinology and endoscopic surgery. Therefore if you suffer from discomfort or pain caused by sinus pressure, it is recommended using saline solution or any devices in order to make the sinuses moist and flush the bacteria out of your sinus passage. Saline spray also helps you to fight against the allergies and cold.

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Many recent studies have been done in order to prove the effectiveness of saline solution. Many people with sinus pressure, pain see the significant improvement in their life after trying this solution for a few weeks. A neti pot or saline spray is available in every drug store. However, you can make a saline solution at home on your own. Technically, you can make the saline spray from any salt with water. However, it is found out that sodium chloride is the best ingredient that can be used in saline solution. You can buy salt in grocery stores. The uniodized salt is recommended. Uniodized salt means that the salt does not contain any iodine in it. It is important to avoid using sea or rock salt because its chemicals can cause some problems. You should use distilled or purified water in order to make saline solution. You should mix 9 grams of salt in one liter of water. If you want to get more satisfactory result, you should apply this solution several times a week for a month.

2. Try Bromelain Supplement

Bromelain is often used as a supplement which helps people fight against swelling for years. The possible reason may be that it has a protein that is only found in pineapple stems. Studies have shown that bromelain is effective in speeding recovery process in patients with acute sinus pressure, pain. According to Robert Graham, an internist working at Lenox Hill Hospital, bromelain will reduce the swelling and inflammation in your nasal passages. Therefore, bromelain is considered as one of the best home remedies for sinus pressure and pain. However, if you want to choose that way to cure sinus pressure, you need to consult the doctor first before trying. The reason may be that bromelain will interact with other certain medication you use. You should ask the doctor about any unwanted side effects. You need to follow the dose instruction of doctors.

3. Take A Steam Treatment

It is said that steam not only makes you relax but also helps to moisten your sinuses. Suggesting the home remedies for sinus pressure and pain, Dr. Graham recommended pouring a few drops of menthol or eucalyptus in the hot shower and steam up in your bathroom. It is said that the hot, steamy shower will thin your mucus and flush the harmful bacteria stuck inside your nose. Moreover, the steam treatment will open your facial pores and help to cleanse the impurities. In order to use steam solution, you only need a little of water. You should boil the water in the microwave or on the stove. After you finish, you should pour the boiling water into a bowl. It is better if you add some essential oils or beneficial herbs into this solution. This aroma will enhance the steam effects.

Looking for energizing steam, you should use peppermint or lemongrass. If you want to relax from sinus pressure & pain, it is recommended lavender and chamomile. When you suffer from the cold caused by sinus pressure, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil into the boiling water bowl. If the sinus pressure, pain lead to stress and anxiety, the bergamot or sandalwood will be beneficial for you to try. After adding a few drops of essential oil, you should place the towel over your head in order to cover over your face. Hold your face over the boiling water and keep it for about 10 minutes. However, you should not get too close to the water because it can cause burning and irritation as well as inflammation for your face. During 10 minutes, you should close your eyes and breathe deeply. The steam will help to loosen the mucus and help you to relax. Some patients with sinus pressure, pain find the relief after trying this treatment for a few weeks; therefore, it is worthy trying.

4. Stay Hydrated

As one of the effective solutions on how to treat sinus pressure , pain, staying hydrated is very important. By drinking enough water, you can help to moisten the sinuses. Water is the best solution which can make you hydrated almost the time. Therefore, it is recommended drinking enough 8 glasses of water during a day. Moreover, you should stay away from alcoholic or caffeinated drink. The possible reason may be that these drinks will make you dehydrated. What are the signs that prove hydration? It is said that if you are hydrated, your urine will be clear, according to Graham. Beside water, some fruit juices or vegetable juices are also effective in treating sinus pressure, pain. Moreover, the nutrients and vitamins they provide for your body will increase your immune system; as the result it will speed up the recovery process in patients with sinus pressure, pain. You should avoid adding any sugar or artificial sweeteners because these ingredients will make the symptoms get worse and deteriorate your immune system.

5. Foods Which Relieve The Sinus Pressure And Pain

Healthy diet will boost the healing process and prevent you from developing many ailments and problems. Therefore, in this article, I would like to introduce to your some certain foods that can help you to alleviate and improve the sinus pressure. However, you should know that the sinus pressure can be caused by bacteria infection and this case will need antibiotic treatment. But eating the healthy diet and these beneficial foods will speed up your recovery process.

The first food you should not miss is chicken soup. Chicken soup is often used as oldest cold remedy which can help you to breathe easily. When patients with sinus pressure eat chicken soup, it will help to reduce the nasal inflammation. Moreover, it is also proven that chicken soup will make the mucus on your nose thin and runny. As a result, the mucus will drain easily, which help you to relieve from sinus pressure, pain. Chicken soup works well if the sinus pressure is caused by viral infection because it will limit the time the viruses attack your system.

Another remedy you should try is chili pepper. The heat from chili pepper will stimulate the glands in your airways. Eating chili pepper will make your eyes water and your nose relax. Moreover, the chili pepper will be considered as the natural decongestant which provides you’re the relief from sinus pressure. The possible reason may be that chili pepper contains capsaicin, the chemical which has the same benefits as guaifenesin. Guaifenesin is the active ingredient used in many prescribed decongestant medications.

Other spicy foods which are effective remedies for sinus pressure can pain include curry, wasabi and horseradish. Do you like the spicy foods? If yes, you should try to relieve the uncomfortable symptoms of sinus pressure by adding spice in your meal in order to open your nasal passages.

Beside the chicken soup and spicy foods, you cannot ignore tea with honey and ginger as one of the best home remedies for sinus pressure & pain. It is said that tea has many beneficial compounds that help you to relieve from sinus pressure, pain. Specifically, theophylline in tea will help to resolve the nasal congestion. If you want to add more benefits, you should add honey and ginger into tea. Ginger will fight against the swelling and inflammation cause by sinus pressure while containing antiseptic properties which can prevent the sinus pressure from being worse.

6. Stay Away From Allergy In Your Room

It is said that allergy will worsen the sinus pressure problem and allergies will develop in the evening. In order to avoid worsening the sinus pressure, improve your symptoms, you should keep your bedroom clean. When you breathe, it is easy for the bacteria leak into your body through your pillow. Therefore, you should cover the pillow with dust covers. It is important to wash the pillow several times a week in order to stay away from bacteria growth. Moreover, you need to make sure that your pets are not allowed to be in your bedroom.

7. Use Humidifier

As one of the best home remedies for sinus pressure & pain, you should use humidifier in your room. According to Dr. Govindaraj, humidifier will make the air moist but you need to keep the humidifier clean especially when you suffer from mold allergies. A dirty humidifier will develop the mold and make the symptoms of mold allergies get worse. It is recommended using humidifier during the dry weather because the humid weather will make your room be on the high humidity. If the level of humidity is high, it can affect your skin and health. It is said that thirty five or fifty percents humidity is beneficial.

You can buy humidifier at any store; however, it will cost you a lot of money and cause some trouble. Specifically, when you have kids in your house, having the humidifier with boiling water will become dangerous disaster. Moreover, it is possible for humidifier to crank up. The humidifier in your house means that you have higher energy bills.

Fortunately, you can make the humidifier at home which is clear and simple. Moreover, the home-made humidifier has the same benefits as the machine you can buy. If you have a heater on your room and it is wide enough, you can place the glass of water on it. It is considered as the easiest way to create the humidity in your house and make you relief from sinus pressure, pain. The water will gradually heat without breaking on the heater. However, you should make sure that the heater is not too hot. High temperature of heater can burn your furniture and pets.

All you need to do is place the heater far away from your furniture and pets, put the glass of water on the heater and let the water evaporate naturally. The benefit of this method is that you can pour a few drops of herbs or essential oils which enhance the effectiveness of this treatment and help to relax. You can start with one glass of water. If you feel comfortable and want to try more, you can add another glass of water. If you do not like the idea of placing the glass of water in your room, you can make the sponge humidifier.  All things you need are a large sponge, scissors and plastic freezer bag. Firstly, you should use the scissor to create several holes in the bag. After that, you dip the sponge in the warm water and squeeze it. The sponge needs to be wet but not dripping. Put the wet sponge in your bag and place the bag wherever you want.  For the next time, you need to re-soak the sponge and heat the sponge in the microwave for a few minutes in order to kill off the bacteria.

8. Apply The Warm Compresses

Another way on how to get rid of sinus pressure, pain is applying the warm compressed on the affected areas. It is said that the warm compress will make your nasal tissues moist. All things you need to do are pouring boiling water in a bowl. After that you can soak the towel in the boiling water. Let it cool for a few minutes in order not to burn your face. After that, squeeze to remove the extra water. Apply the towel on your affected areas, breathe in the steam and leave for 3 minutes.

If you want to add more benefits and treat the sinus pressure effectively and completely, you should apply the cold compress afterward for about 30 seconds. The cold compresses also have the same benefits as the warm compresses; therefore, you should try. This warm compress will help to find the relief from sinus pressure & pain without causing any problem. Moreover, applying the warm compresses and cold compresses will alleviate the inflammation and help to relieve from blocked sinus. Some patients with sinus pressure, pain find the immediate relief after trying this remedy; therefore, you should try it.

9. Healthy Diet And Lifestyle

It is the fact that a healthy diet will help you to cure many diseases and problems, enhance your immune system and fight against any infection. It is true with sinus pressure, pain. You should keep your body hydrated by consuming more liquids. It is said that blocked nasal passages are difficult to treat quickly if they are inflamed and unable to drain. In order to relieve from sinus pressure, pain, you should drink enough water and other liquids such as hot soup, fruit juice or vegetable juice. Consuming enough liquids will help you to alleviate the pressure and inflammation. But you should drink warm water or warm juice because its benefits are better than cold water.

Moreover, you should increase the vitamin C intake. The possible reason may be that vitamin C has antioxidant properties which help to prevent sinus pressure with inflammation. In order to increase the vitamin C intake, you can eat vitamin C- rich foods which include lemons, oranges, broccoli, pineapples, gooseberries and strawberries, pomegranates and cauliflower. Lemon or lemon green tea has the great source of vitamin C; therefore, you should drink lemon green tea or lemon juice daily in order to prevent or treat sinus pressure or pain. Another way is taking vitamin C supplement which is available in the health stores. However, if you want to take vitamin C supplement, you should consult the doctor first to know how much vitamin C supplement you should take daily without causing any unwanted side effects. Vitamin C overdose will easily lead to some problem for your health.

Also, you should quit the bad habit such as smoking or drinking alcohol because these bad habits will affect your overall health and make the symptoms of sinus pressure, pain get worse. Sleeping at least 8 hours a day will give your body system enough time in order to recover by its own. Sleep deprivation will make the sinus pressure last longer.

Moreover, follow the beneficial exercising every day to boost your immune system and make you active. Sinus pressure and pain may make you tired and stressed. However, you should not let the physical and emotional damage keep you from exercising. If you exercise, you will gain more benefits.  Exercising will speed up the recovery process. There is a need for patients with sinus pressure & pain to follow the exercise program. You should ask the professional to help you know which exercise program is suitable for you.

10. Ginger

Ginger is known as one of home remedies for sinus pressure you should know. The possible reason may be that ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties which can help to cure sinus pressure. Moreover, ginger is also considered as the natural pain-killer which can help to alleviate the pain caused by sinus pressure. In order to use this treatment, you should cut ginger in to small slices. Place the slices in the boiling water for about 10 minutes. It is recommended drinking the warm ginger tea several times a day and repeating the treatment for a few weeks in order to gain the more satisfactory result. If you want to taste better or add more benefits into this solution.

Alternatively, ginger compress has the same benefits as the ginger tea. Firstly, you should dip some ginger slices into boiling water. Let it cool for a while in order to make sure that the hot temperature will not burn your face when you breathe in. You can try by putting your finger in the solution. Soak a clean soft towel into ginger solution. After that, squeeze it to remove the extra water. You should lie back and apply the wet towel over your face. Try to breathe the steam. You should try to repeat the treatment 4 or 5 times until the warm ginger compress is too cold. However, when you use ginger tea as one of best home remedies for sinus pressure, pain, you should not add any sugar or artificial sweetener into it because it will worsen your symptoms by deteriorating your immune system. Ginger is available in every grocery store.

11. Acupressure

Acupressure is the beneficial method which is often used to cure many ailments such as headache and sinus pressure. Acupressure means that you apply the pressure at the certain points on your face in order to find the relief. This method is simple; therefore you can try it at home. In this article, I would like to introduce to you the way on how to use acupressure. 

If you want to relieve the frontal or upper sinuses, firstly you should warm your hands by rubbing them together. After that, use the palm the rub gently the tip of your nose in the circular motion. Repeat 15 times. Do it in the opposite direction. If you experience the sinus pressure, blocked nasal passages and stuffy nose, it is recommended repeating the procedure at least 5 times a day in order to get completely relief. The acupressure not only helpsyou to cure sinus pressure, pain effectively but also prevents further blockage in your sinuses or nasal passages.

Another way to use acupressure I would like to introduce is pressing your thumb and index finger. This method can work for sinus problem and pain. You should press hard the joint between the thumb and index finger. Press it for 2 minutes. This method sounds strange but it can alleviate your pain and irritation in your nose. However, the pregnant women should not use pressing thumb and index finger acupressure because it can lead to premature contractions in their uterus. Additionally, the joint in bridge of the nose and eye socket are affected areas when you suffer from nasal congestion or sinus pressure.  You should press the areas with the tip of your thumb for a few minutes. However, you should not press these points together because it can lead to further pressure. It is recommended doing separately. If you do the massage properly, it will help to get rid of the mucus. As the result, you will find the relief from sinus pressure & pain. Nostril edge press is also used to cure sinus pressure. Place your index finger on both nostril edges. You may feel your cheekbone. Press this point for about 4 minutes. The force you press should be hard enough in order to help you find relief.

In order to achieve more satisfactory result, you should repeat several times daily. If you press properly, it will ease the inflammation and severe pain caused by sinus pressure.

The next technique which is also beneficial for your sinus pressure is using acupressure on the base of skull. In this technique, you hold your head with your both hands. Your thumb should be behind your ears. Come to your base of skull. Press these two points hard and hold for about two minutes. You should repeat the process several times daily in order to alleviate pain and blockages.

12. Have Some Herbs

According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Chinese herbs using magnolia flower is effective in treating sinus pressure, pain. These herbs should be accompanied with other herbs such as mint, angelica and chrysanthemum. These herbs is often used to treat upper respiratory tract infection, sinus pressure & sinus headache. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of herbs in treating any problems and ailments related to sinus.

13. Cinnamon

One of the best home remedies for sinus pressure & pain you should not miss is cinnamon. Cinnamon can be used in many forms, including powder, sticks, supplement or liquid. There are 100 varieties of cinnamon and the most common ones are Cassia cinnamon and Ceylon cinnamon. Their flavoring is slightly different. They can be used in medicinal or cooking purpose. It is not surprising when cinnamon is considered as a warming traditional Chinese medicine.

The combination of cinnamon and fresh ginger can provide you the beneficial relief from the flu and cold. Moreover, it is also used to treat sinus problems due to colds. The possible reason may be that cinnamon has antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Cinnamon is the home remedy that is used to treat many respiratory problems such as sore throat, sinus pressure, flu and cough. Cinnamaldehyde and eugenol found in cinnamon barks and leaves can treat the harmful bacteria which attack your upper respiratory tract. Harmful bacteria may cause nasal construction, sinus pressure & inflamed membranes.

Cinnamon can be used in foods without causing any unwanted side effects. Therefore, you can use cinnamon in many ways such as smoothies, teas, oatmeal and coffee. Moreover, you can enhance the effectiveness of cinnamon in treating problems related to sinus by combining it with antioxidant and healthy spices such as cloves, turmeric, ginger and green vegetable. Moreover, cinnamon also has anti-inflammatory properties. It is the fact that inflamed sinus will block your airway passages and make you feel difficult to breathe. Breathe the cinnamon scent or drinking the cinnamon tea will help you to relieve. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity said that cinnamon has the high antioxidant. Antioxidant plays the important role in protecting your immune system from harmful bacteria and free radical which can damage your cells, tissues and lead to various diseases and infections. Therefore, consuming foods with cinnamon or drinking cinnamon tea will help you to resolve the respiratory infections such sinus pressure. 

In order to make cinnamon tea, you should add a teaspoon of cinnamon powder in sufficient boiling water. Let it steep for a few minutes. After that, you can wait for 5 minutes in order make it cool down. Sip it slowly in order to get the significant relief.

Alternatively, you can consume the mixture of cinnamon powder and honey for three days. Mix ¼ tablespoon of cinnamon powder and 1 tablespoon of honey. This mixture is said to be effective in treating colds and cough causing sinus pressure. Another way is breathing the cinnamon steam. In this treatment, you should boil a pan of water and then add 3 or 5 drops of thyme, cinnamon, and clove essential oils into it. After you finish, you should pour the boiling water with these essential oils into a bowl. Let it warm for a while in order not to burn your face. After that, place a towel over your head and breathe in the steam. It is recommended repeating this treatment 3 or 5 times a day for one week in order to get noticeable result. This remedy will help you to cure sinus pressure & bronchitis. The possible reason may be that these essential oils contain antibiotic properties.

Cinnamon will not cause any harmful consequences if you consume it as a food. However, if you take cinnamon as the supplement, you should consult the doctor first. Cinnamon overdose will cause liver toxicity and affect people with diabetes and

These are the 13 best home remedies for sinus pressure and pain I would like to introduce to you on AllRemedies. If you have any questions to ask, please raise your voice by leaving your question bellow. I will answer as soon as I can.

Note: Tip No.10 of this article was reviewed by Julie Freeman (MA, RD, LD, RYT) [Link]