# Sinus congestion/headache without a "head cold?"

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinus-congestion-headache-without-a-head-cold/480884>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [January 12, 2009, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinus-congestion-headache-without-a-head-cold/480884 "2009-01-12T06:15:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Freejooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinus-congestion-headache-without-a-head-cold/480884/1 "2009-01-12T06:15:00Z")

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For the past week, I’ve had awful, throbbing sinus headaches. My friend is prone to sinus infections, and keeps telling me to take decongestants, but I have absolutely no nose or head congestion. No snot, no feeling like I have a “head cold,” etc.

Can you have sinus congestion and not feel like you have a head cold?

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**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinus-congestion-headache-without-a-head-cold/480884/2 "2009-01-12T06:58:22Z")

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Yes! The early stages of a sinus infection are more throbbing pain for me around my nose and eyes than stuffy or drippy nose. Apparently sinus infections take the same time to go away with or without antibiotics, so knowing you might have one won’t help too much. The decongestants made for “sinus pain” offer varying amounts of relief, though.

If you can stand it, put a cold pack over your eyes and nose and you’ll temporarily feel better. A friend made the one I have, and it’s a simple cloth bag filled with uncooked navy beans. It conforms nicely to your face with no painful edges and can be used repeatedly.

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**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\
**Post date:** [January 12, 2009, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sinus-congestion-headache-without-a-head-cold/480884/3 "2009-01-12T13:33:50Z")

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In addition to what **elfkin477** said, I have also read research that has suggested that many “sinus headaches” are actually migraines. Any nausea or light senstivity accompanying these headaches? I would give the decongestants a shot and if that doesn’t help, you should consider seeing your GP.