Brain & Nervous System Migraines Types The Difference Between Migraine and Sinus Headache Differentiating the two can help you get the treatment you need By Colleen Doherty, MD Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis. Learn about our editorial process Colleen Doherty, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD on March 27, 2019 Claudia Chaves, MD, is board-certified in cerebrovascular disease and neurology with a subspecialty certification in vascular neurology. She is an associate professor of neurology at Tufts Medical School and medical director of the Lahey Clinic Multiple Sclerosis Center in Lexington, Massachusetts. Learn about our Medical Review Board Claudia Chaves, MD Updated on April 22, 2019 Print Your head is pounding, your nose is running, and your face feels as if it's being squeezed in a vise. It seems like every other day or so a sinus headache lays you low. You down a couple of over-the-counter pain pills and try to soldier on, wondering if you should call your doctor for another round of the antibiotics he may have prescribed the last time this happened. You're right to see your doctor, but do be prepared to possibly find out that your sinuses aren't to blame for your headaches. There's a very good chance you're having migraines rather than head pain caused by an infection (sinusitis) or by seasonal allergies, all of which share a constellation of similar symptoms. And if that's the case, you're in good company: Nearly 90 percent of people who believe they have sinus headaches, whether they diagnose themselves or are diagnosed by a doctor, actually have migraines, studies have shown. Other research has found these patients can go for years without a correct diagnosis or proper treatment. If you suffer from frequent sinus headaches that don't seem to get better with treatment, talk to your doctor about the possibility you're having migraines instead. Verywell / Cindy Chung Striking Similarities When you consider the criteria used to diagnose migraine headaches and those caused by a sinus infection, which can be caused by either virus, bacteria, or seasonal allergies, it's easy to see why the latter often is mistaken for the former. These symptoms are among those often shared by the two conditions: Head pain that gets more intense when you lean forwardCongestionA runny noseFacial pressure It may be obvious, but it's important to note that the type of migraine that's most often mistaken for a sinus headache is migraine without aura—that is, a migraine without any preceding visual or other sensory disturbances. An Overview of Migraine Without Aura Distinguishing Differences Despite the similarities between sinus headaches and migraines without aura, the two conditions actually have several markedly different symptoms and characteristics. That's why even if you're convinced your headaches are due to a sinus infection or similar ailment, it's a good idea to not write them off as such and attempt to treat yourself. This is especially important if you're experiencing any of the symptoms in this snapshot of main differences between migraines and sinus headaches: Migraine Nausea Vomiting Thin, clear nasal discharge Aversion to strong odors Sensitivity to light and sounds Sinus Headache Fever Cough Thick nasal discharge Decreased sense of smell Ear or upper tooth pain Common Migraine Symptoms Aside from the head pain itself, most people who have frequent migraines also experience an array of other symptoms: Nausea and/or vomiting: These are so prevalent, anti-emetics (medications for relieving nausea and vomiting) often are a part of treatment for migraine.Runny nose: Color and consistency of nasal discharge are key to distinguishing a migraine from a sinus infection: If this symptom occurs with a migraine, the discharge will be clear and thin—more like what you might experience when you walk outside on a frigid day even when you aren't ill.Heightened sensory symptoms: A person having a migraine may experience sensitivity to light (photophobia) so extreme that he or she will need to lie down in a dark room. Similarly, during a migraine, otherwise innocuous odors may be perceived as vile, and noises may seem unbearably loud. Common Sinus Headache Symptoms Fever: You won't always run a temperature when you have a headache caused by sinusitis, but it's a distinct possibility, especially if the infection is caused by a bacteria rather than a virus. In that case, an antibiotic actually may be in order to knock out the bacteria.Purulent nasal discharge: A thick, yellowish or greenish discharge (pus) is a sign of infection.Ear or upper tooth pain: Ear and upper tooth pain are common complaints in those suffering from a sinus infection. A Word From Verywell Armed with a basic understanding of the most common and obvious differences between migraine headache without aura and headaches caused by a sinus infection, you should be able to make an educated guess about which is most likely to be causing your headaches. That said, even if you feel absolutely certain you have sinus headaches rather than migraines, see your doctor for a definitive diagnosis. This way you'll be sure to get the treatment you need as quickly as possible. Migraine Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Eross E, Dodick D, Eross M. The sinus, allergy and migraine study (SAMS). Headache. 2007;47(2):213-24. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00688.x Al-hashel JY, Ahmed SF, Alroughani R, Goadsby PJ. Migraine misdiagnosis as a sinusitis, a delay that can last for many years. J Headache Pain. 2013;14:97. doi:10.1186/1129-2377-14-97 Weatherall MW. The diagnosis and treatment of chronic migraine. Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2015;6(3):115-23. doi:10.1177/2040622315579627 Additional Reading Al-Hashel JY, Ahmed SR, Alroughani R, et al. Migraine Misdiagnosis As a Sinusitis, a Delay That Can Last for Many Years. J Headache Pain. 2013; 14(1): 97. doi: 10.1186/1129-2377-14-97 Mayo Clinic. Sinus Headaches. Apr 26, 2018. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sinus-headaches/symptoms-causes/syc-20377580 Patel ZM, Kennedy DW, Setzen M, et al. "Sinus Headache": Rhinogenic Headache or Migraine? An Evidence-based Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2013 Mar;3(3):221-30. doi: 10.1002/alr.21095 Schreiber CP, Hutchinson S, Webster CJ, et al. Prevalence of Migraine in Patients With a History of Self-reported or Physician-diagnosed "Sinus" Headache. Arch Intern Med. 2004 Sep 13;164(16):1769-72. doi: 10.1001/archinte.164.16.1769