What causes pain in the eyebrow and eye socket? What are the treatments for this type of pain? Learn about the 8 possible causes and how to get relief.

The Causes of Eyebrow and Eye Socket Pain

Eyebrow pain or tension can be due to various causes, including headaches, infections, or conditions affecting the nerves in the face. In this article, we’ll explore eight possible causes of eyebrow pain and the treatment options for each.

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that causes sharp, intense pain in areas of the face. The trigeminal nerve connects the brain to the face, allowing a person to sense touch and changes in temperature. Trigeminal neuralgia usually affects just one side of the face, but in rare cases, it can affect both sides. Some people with this condition may experience a stabbing pain or pain that feels like an electric shock, while others may have a constant aching or burning sensation in the face.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma occurs when excess fluid builds up in the front of the eye and damages the optic nerve. It can cause severe pain around the eyebrow and eye. Other symptoms of glaucoma include blind spots in the vision, blurred vision, headaches, nausea or vomiting, and seeing rainbows or halos. It is vital to receive treatment for glaucoma, as without treatment, it can cause permanent vision loss.

Migraine

Migraine can cause pain around the eyebrows, eyes, and temples. A migraine episode can last from 4 hours up to several days. Symptoms of a migraine episode can include intense head pain, a throbbing sensation, nausea and vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sound, and pain that increases when a person moves.

Cluster Headache

A cluster headache is a severe headache that can reoccur between one and eight times a day and last from 15 minutes to 3 hours each time. People may experience a stabbing pain, often either behind the eyebrow or eye or around the temples. This pain and other symptoms usually affect one side of the head. Symptoms of a cluster headache include red, teary eyes, a runny or stuffy nose, a flushed or sweating face, a drooping eyelid, one smaller pupil, restlessness, and being unable to lie still.

Tension Headache

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, and they can last from anywhere between 30 minutes and 7 days. Pain may spread to the eye, eyebrow, and temple. Symptoms of a tension headache include mild-to-moderate pain on both sides of the head, increased sensitivity to either light or sound, and tenderness in the neck muscles.

Shingles

Shingles is a condition that affects the nerves and can occur in localized areas, usually on one side of the body, including the face and neck. The symptoms of shingles include a very painful rash, fluid-filled blisters, shooting pain, tingling or numb sensation, burning, itchiness, fever and chills, nausea, headaches, and loss of vision. People should see their doctor immediately if they have blisters on their face, especially if they are close to the eyes.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the nasal cavities. It can create a lot of pressure in the face, and people may feel pain around the eyebrows, nose, forehead, and cheeks. Symptoms of sinusitis include a blocked or stuffy nose, a cough, thick, yellow, or green mucus from the nose, and mucus that drips down the back of the throat. Sinusitis can be either acute or chronic.

Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis, or temporal arteritis, is a condition affecting the blood vessels along the side of the head. Inflammation of these blood vessels can cause pain in the face and other symptoms around the head and neck, such as pain in the jaw, double vision or temporary loss of vision, a fever, tenderness on the scalp, tenderness around the temples, severe headaches, dizziness, and difficulty swallowing or a sore throat. People over the age of 50 years, particularly Caucasian women, are more likely to develop giant cell arteritis.

Treatment Options for Eyebrow Pain

The treatment for eyebrow pain depends on the underlying cause:

• Headaches and migraine episodes: Taking pain relievers, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest and sleep can help.
• Severe or frequent migraine episodes: A doctor can prescribe medications for pain and other symptoms.
• Cluster headaches: A doctor may recommend medications or an oxygen mask to prevent a cluster attack.
• Shingles: Rest, a cool compress, and calamine lotion may help soothe symptoms until the infection passes. Adults over the age of 50 years can get a shingles vaccine.
• Glaucoma: Taking daily eye drop medication can help prevent vision loss.
• Sinusitis: People can treat acute sinusitis with over-the-counter medications, but chronic sinusitis may require prescription treatments.
• Giant cell arteritis: Prompt treatment with corticosteroids is important to prevent vision loss and other complications.

Conclusion

Eyebrow pain or tension can have a variety of underlying causes, from headaches and infections to nerve conditions and vascular disorders. It’s important to seek medical attention to determine the root cause and get appropriate treatment to alleviate the pain and prevent any potentially serious complications. With the right diagnosis and management, most people can find relief from eyebrow and eye socket pain.

8 causes and how to get relief

Eyebrow pain or tension can be due to various causes, including headaches, infections, or conditions affecting the nerves in the face.

In this article, we look at eight possible causes of eyebrow pain, as well as the treatment options for each.

Share on PinterestMigraine, trigeminal neuralgia, and glaucoma are some possible causes of eyebrow pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that causes sharp, intense pain in areas of the face. The trigeminal nerve connects the brain to the face, allowing a person to sense touch and changes in temperature.

Trigeminal neuralgia usually affects just one side of the face, but in rare cases, it can affect both sides.

Some people with this condition may experience a stabbing pain or pain that feels like an electric shock. Others may have a constant aching or burning sensation in the face.

Glaucoma occurs when excess fluid builds up in the front of the eye and damages the optic nerve. It can cause severe pain around the eyebrow and eye.

Other symptoms of glaucoma include:

• blind spots in the vision
• blurred vision
• headaches
• nausea or vomiting
• seeing rainbows or halos

It is vital to receive treatment for glaucoma. Without treatment, it can cause permanent vision loss.

Migraine can cause pain around the eyebrows, eyes, and temples. A migraine episode can last from 4 hours up to several days.

Symptoms of a migraine episode can include:

• intense head pain
• a throbbing sensation
• nausea and vomiting
• increased sensitivity to light and sound
• pain that increases when a person moves

Learn more about the differences between migraine and a headache here.

Share on PinterestA cluster headache may cause red, teary eyes and a runny nose.

A cluster headache is a severe headache that can reoccur between one and eight times a day and last from 15 minutes to 3 hours each time.

People may experience a stabbing pain, often either behind the eyebrow or eye or around the temples. This pain and other symptoms usually affect one side of the head.

Symptoms of a cluster headache include:

• red, teary eyes
• a runny or stuffy nose
• a flushed or sweating face
• a drooping eyelid
• one smaller pupil
• restlessness
• being unable to lie still

According to the American Migraine Foundation, tension headaches are the most common type of headache, and they can last from anywhere between 30 minutes and 7 days.

Pain may spread to the eye, eyebrow, and temple. Symptoms of a tension headache include:

• mild-to-moderate pain on both sides of the head
• increased sensitivity to either light or sound
• tenderness in the neck muscles

Shingles is a condition that affects the nerves. It occurs in localized areas, usually on one side of the body. These areas can include the face and neck.

The symptoms of shingles include:

• a very painful rash
• fluid filled blisters
• shooting pain
• tingling or numb sensations
• burning
• itchiness
• fever and chills
• nausea
• headaches
• loss of vision

People should see their doctor immediately if they have blisters on their face, especially if they are close to the eyes.

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the nasal cavities. It can create a lot of pressure in the face, and people may feel pain around the eyebrows, nose, forehead, and cheeks.

Symptoms of sinusitis include:

• a blocked or stuffy nose
• a cough
• thick, yellow, or green mucus from the nose
• mucus that drips down the back of the throat

Sinusitis can be either acute or chronic. The symptoms of acute sinusitis usually go away within a week or 10 days. If the symptoms show no improvement with medical treatment and last longer than 12 weeks, a person may have chronic sinusitis.

Giant cell arteritis, or temporal arteritis, is a condition affecting the blood vessels along the side of the head.

Inflammation of these blood vessels can cause pain in the face and other symptoms around the head and neck, such as:

• pain in the jaw
• double vision or temporary loss of vision
• a fever
• tenderness on the scalp
• tenderness around the temples
• severe headaches
• dizziness
• difficulty swallowing or a sore throat

According to the Arthritis Foundation, people over the age of 50 years, particularly Caucasian women, are more likely to develop giant cell arteritis.

Treatment for eyebrow pain depends on the underlying cause:

• Headaches and migraine episodes: Taking pain relievers, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest and sleep can help.
• Severe or frequent migraine episodes: A doctor can prescribe medications for pain and other symptoms.
• Cluster headaches: A doctor may recommend medications or an oxygen mask to prevent a cluster attack.
• Shingles: Rest, a cool compress, and calamine lotion may help soothe symptoms of shingles until the infection passes. Adults over the age of 50 years can get a shingles vaccine.
• Glaucoma: Taking daily eye drop medication can help prevent vision loss in people with glaucoma. Beta-blockers and alpha-agonists also work to reduce fluid buildup in the eye.
• Sinusitis: People can take decongestants and nasal sprays to treat sinusitis. Pain relievers, plenty of rest, and proper hydration can also help reduce symptoms.
• Trigeminal neuralgia: A doctor may prescribe medications or recommend surgery, which usually involves damaging the trigeminal nerve to stop the transmission of pain signals.
• Giant cell arteritis: Corticosteroids can effectively treat the symptoms of giant cell arteritis. A longer course may be necessary to keep inflammation levels low.

Share on PinterestA person with eyebrow pain should talk to their doctor if they experience sudden, severe headaches, drowsiness, or nausea.

A person should see their doctor if their eyebrow pain is severe, does not go away, or occurs alongside other symptoms.

People with eyebrow pain should seek medical care straight away if they also have the following symptoms:

• severe pain or swelling in the face
• swelling or redness around the eyes
• confusion or feeling disorientated
• a sudden severe headache
• drowsiness
• a fever
• a rash
• nausea and vomiting

People should speak to a doctor if they have symptoms of any of the following conditions:

• shingles
• giant cell arteritis
• severe or frequent migraine episodes
• trigeminal neuralgia
• glaucoma

If symptoms of sinusitis carry on longer than 10 days or do not improve with treatment, a doctor can help.

People may experience pain behind or around the eyebrows for many reasons. Blocked sinuses or headaches can lead to increased pressure and pain around the eyebrows, which should pass once the cause resolves.

In other instances, eyebrow pain is due to an underlying condition, such as glaucoma.

If people have frequent or severe pain around the eyebrows or notice other symptoms, they should see a doctor.

8 causes and how to get relief

Eyebrow pain or tension can be due to various causes, including headaches, infections, or conditions affecting the nerves in the face.

In this article, we look at eight possible causes of eyebrow pain, as well as the treatment options for each.

Share on PinterestMigraine, trigeminal neuralgia, and glaucoma are some possible causes of eyebrow pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that causes sharp, intense pain in areas of the face. The trigeminal nerve connects the brain to the face, allowing a person to sense touch and changes in temperature.

Trigeminal neuralgia usually affects just one side of the face, but in rare cases, it can affect both sides.

Some people with this condition may experience a stabbing pain or pain that feels like an electric shock. Others may have a constant aching or burning sensation in the face.

Glaucoma occurs when excess fluid builds up in the front of the eye and damages the optic nerve. It can cause severe pain around the eyebrow and eye.

Other symptoms of glaucoma include:

• blind spots in the vision
• blurred vision
• headaches
• nausea or vomiting
• seeing rainbows or halos

It is vital to receive treatment for glaucoma. Without treatment, it can cause permanent vision loss.

Migraine can cause pain around the eyebrows, eyes, and temples. A migraine episode can last from 4 hours up to several days.

Symptoms of a migraine episode can include:

• intense head pain
• a throbbing sensation
• nausea and vomiting
• increased sensitivity to light and sound
• pain that increases when a person moves

Learn more about the differences between migraine and a headache here.

Share on PinterestA cluster headache may cause red, teary eyes and a runny nose.

A cluster headache is a severe headache that can reoccur between one and eight times a day and last from 15 minutes to 3 hours each time.

People may experience a stabbing pain, often either behind the eyebrow or eye or around the temples. This pain and other symptoms usually affect one side of the head.

Symptoms of a cluster headache include:

• red, teary eyes
• a runny or stuffy nose
• a flushed or sweating face
• a drooping eyelid
• one smaller pupil
• restlessness
• being unable to lie still

According to the American Migraine Foundation, tension headaches are the most common type of headache, and they can last from anywhere between 30 minutes and 7 days.

Pain may spread to the eye, eyebrow, and temple. Symptoms of a tension headache include:

• mild-to-moderate pain on both sides of the head
• increased sensitivity to either light or sound
• tenderness in the neck muscles

Shingles is a condition that affects the nerves. It occurs in localized areas, usually on one side of the body. These areas can include the face and neck.

The symptoms of shingles include:

• a very painful rash
• fluid filled blisters
• shooting pain
• tingling or numb sensations
• burning
• itchiness
• fever and chills
• nausea
• headaches
• loss of vision

People should see their doctor immediately if they have blisters on their face, especially if they are close to the eyes.

Sinusitis is the inflammation of the nasal cavities. It can create a lot of pressure in the face, and people may feel pain around the eyebrows, nose, forehead, and cheeks.

Symptoms of sinusitis include:

• a blocked or stuffy nose
• a cough
• thick, yellow, or green mucus from the nose
• mucus that drips down the back of the throat

Sinusitis can be either acute or chronic. The symptoms of acute sinusitis usually go away within a week or 10 days. If the symptoms show no improvement with medical treatment and last longer than 12 weeks, a person may have chronic sinusitis.

Giant cell arteritis, or temporal arteritis, is a condition affecting the blood vessels along the side of the head.

Inflammation of these blood vessels can cause pain in the face and other symptoms around the head and neck, such as:

• pain in the jaw
• double vision or temporary loss of vision
• a fever
• tenderness on the scalp
• tenderness around the temples
• severe headaches
• dizziness
• difficulty swallowing or a sore throat

According to the Arthritis Foundation, people over the age of 50 years, particularly Caucasian women, are more likely to develop giant cell arteritis.

Treatment for eyebrow pain depends on the underlying cause:

• Headaches and migraine episodes: Taking pain relievers, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest and sleep can help.
• Severe or frequent migraine episodes: A doctor can prescribe medications for pain and other symptoms.
• Cluster headaches: A doctor may recommend medications or an oxygen mask to prevent a cluster attack.
• Shingles: Rest, a cool compress, and calamine lotion may help soothe symptoms of shingles until the infection passes. Adults over the age of 50 years can get a shingles vaccine.
• Glaucoma: Taking daily eye drop medication can help prevent vision loss in people with glaucoma. Beta-blockers and alpha-agonists also work to reduce fluid buildup in the eye.
• Sinusitis: People can take decongestants and nasal sprays to treat sinusitis. Pain relievers, plenty of rest, and proper hydration can also help reduce symptoms.
• Trigeminal neuralgia: A doctor may prescribe medications or recommend surgery, which usually involves damaging the trigeminal nerve to stop the transmission of pain signals.
• Giant cell arteritis: Corticosteroids can effectively treat the symptoms of giant cell arteritis. A longer course may be necessary to keep inflammation levels low.

Share on PinterestA person with eyebrow pain should talk to their doctor if they experience sudden, severe headaches, drowsiness, or nausea.

A person should see their doctor if their eyebrow pain is severe, does not go away, or occurs alongside other symptoms.

People with eyebrow pain should seek medical care straight away if they also have the following symptoms:

• severe pain or swelling in the face
• swelling or redness around the eyes
• confusion or feeling disorientated
• a sudden severe headache
• drowsiness
• a fever
• a rash
• nausea and vomiting

People should speak to a doctor if they have symptoms of any of the following conditions:

• shingles
• giant cell arteritis
• severe or frequent migraine episodes
• trigeminal neuralgia
• glaucoma

If symptoms of sinusitis carry on longer than 10 days or do not improve with treatment, a doctor can help.

People may experience pain behind or around the eyebrows for many reasons. Blocked sinuses or headaches can lead to increased pressure and pain around the eyebrows, which should pass once the cause resolves.

In other instances, eyebrow pain is due to an underlying condition, such as glaucoma.

If people have frequent or severe pain around the eyebrows or notice other symptoms, they should see a doctor.

Headache above the eyebrow. Causes of a headache in the eyebrow area.

Headache above the eyebrow. Causes of a headache in the eyebrow area.

Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich
Neurologist, neurophysiologist, experience – 33 years;
Professor of Neurology, MD;
Clinic for Rehabilitation Neurology. About the author

Publication date: March 16, 2021

Updated: January 31, 2023

Headache is a common occurrence, but by its localization, concentration in a certain place, an experienced doctor will be able to quickly determine what is the root of the problem.

Normally this is not dangerous fatigue. However, in some cases, urgent medical attention is required. Let’s take a closer look at what and when.

The reason that the head hurts and presses over the right or left eyebrow in the forehead area may be a disease that is dangerous for a further full life. Therefore, if such symptoms occur on a regular basis, you need to seek help from the clinic and undergo examinations.

Article content:

• 1 Reasons
  • 1.1 Reasons to see a doctor
• 2 Diagnosis
• 3 Treatment
• 4 Prevention
• 5 References

Causes

With a single manifestation of symptoms, the problem may lie in some temporary external factor . For example, traumatic cosmetic procedures, fatigue or too strong odors become a problem.

However, if your head hurts every day above the eyebrow in the forehead, then the cause may be serious.

Reasons to see a doctor

1. Sinusitis, damage to the cavities in the upper jaw (1). Inflamed sinuses do not give rest, mainly in the cool season. When the head is tilted, the discomfort increases. Additional symptoms are a runny nose, nasal congestion on one or both sides. A severe variant proceeds with fever, a feeling of aching muscles and increased fatigue.

1. Migraine, hemicrania. Common among women, but men also suffer from seizures. A characteristic sign is an extremely severe pain in the head above the left eyebrow. It interferes with sleep, thinking, perceiving the environment. Symptoms are aggravated in bright light, against the background of extraneous noise. Traditional painkillers cannot cope with an attack, but monoclonal antibodies are effective. A number of patients with refractory migraines benefit from surgery (2).

1. Diseases of the eyes and poor eyesight also contribute to discomfort in the forehead area. After treatment and selection of suitable glasses, the problem is solved by itself.

1. Neoplasms, benign and malignant tumors. Localization of pain in the region of the eyebrows occurs when the pathology begins to grow in the frontal lobes of the brain, the facial region of the skull. You need a thorough examination by a neurologist, a check for poor quality and an operation to remove it.

1. Tension pains. As a result of muscle strain or a long stay in one position, unpleasant pressure sensations occur in the forehead area. You can solve the problem with rest and self-massage, which helps to relax.

1. Head injuries of varying severity. Sometimes pain and discomfort begin to appear after a while, even a month, after complete healing.

1. Pathologies of the cardiovascular system. A sharp change in pressure, characteristic of diseases of this type, often causes pain in the back of the head and nausea. It can also lead to discomfort in the supraorbital region. In such cases, dizziness, flies before the eyes are not excluded.

Oncology is fortunately one of the rare causes of the symptoms in question. Nevertheless, the survey algorithm includes the search for and exclusion of such processes.

Unpleasant sensations in this area can provoke everyday things, a wrong way of life. 2-4 hours in an unventilated room or alcohol abuse, often lead to the appearance of pain.

Diagnosis

A simple and correct answer to the question: “What should I do if my head hurts in the forehead, above the left or right eyebrow, or where they converge above the bridge of the nose?” – there will be an appeal to the clinic. It is especially important to do this if the attacks have become regular, albeit not very pronounced.

Medical advice is required for acute pain. Such as supraorbital neuralgia [3].

It is better to start finding out the reason with a visit to a therapist. The doctor will establish a preliminary diagnosis by analyzing the information obtained during the examination.

He is interested in:

• How often the symptoms appear.
• When the first time happened.
• Intensity and specificity of pain.
• Additional symptoms.
• Features of your lifestyle.

After analyzing the received information, the doctor will refer the patient to a specialized doctor. Or prescribe additional tests if necessary: ​​

• complete blood count;
• x-ray of the head to determine the condition of the sinuses;
• CT or MRI examination of the brain;
• electroencephalogram.

After analyzing the results of the research, you can make an accurate diagnosis.

Treatment

When choosing a method of treatment, many factors are taken into account. Necessarily – how exactly the head hurts above the eyebrows and eyes, where it gives off, at what time of the day it manifests itself with unpleasant sensations.

To temporarily relieve an attack, it may be enough to take an anesthetic.

But remember that analgesics are a temporary way to numb the symptom. Only treating the cause of the pain can get rid of the problem.

Depending on the identified disease, the doctor selects an effective therapy. The scheme may include several components:

• Drug treatment, selected strictly for a particular patient. Not only the current disease is taken into account, but also other features of health. This explains why doctors prescribe different medicines for the same symptoms. It is dangerous to choose drugs on your own or use the advice of people in this case [4].

• Physiotherapeutic methods and reflexology. Depending on the specific identified disease, the most effective procedures are selected. They help the patient recover, improve well-being.

• Surgical intervention is rarely used and only if the conservative does not give the desired effect. As a rule, patients who have neoplasms in the frontal areas of the skull and brain are sent for surgery. In this case, after the procedure, patients expect a long recovery.

Prevention

Headache above the eyebrows in the forehead can also be the result of an incorrect, traumatic daily routine. With this option, the doctor will tell you what measures to take to avoid worsening the condition.

As a rule, following several principles helps:

• Avoid physical and mental overwork, try to periodically give yourself a little rest in the process of work.

• Change your diet to include more fresh fruits or vegetables and eliminate canned foods.

• Regularly spend time in the fresh air and ventilate the room in which you have to stay.

• When you lead a sedentary lifestyle, do not forget about regular physical activity.

• Organize sessions of acupuncture, acupuncture [5].

Some patients are indicated for preventive procedures of EHF – extremely high frequencies.

References

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Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich

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Eyebrow pain – HTI CENTERS

Eyebrow pain can be caused by a variety of causes, such as a headache, an infection, or a condition that affects a nerve located in the face.

Here are a few reasons that may cause pain in the eyebrow area – let’s look at it in detail.

Trigeminal neuralgia

During trigeminal neuralgia, acute, intense pain occurs in the face.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic and painful condition that damages the trigeminal nerve. During trigeminal neuralgia, even slight irritation in the facial area can cause acute pain.

True, at the initial stage, it manifests itself with light and short attacks, but the pathology progresses and over time is characterized by pain of a long, acute nature.

As we learn from the article, trigeminal neuralgia affects one side of the face, but in rare clinical cases, both sides. Some people complain of pain, similar to a kind of electric shock or burning sensation in the face.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma, an eye disease that causes damage to the optic nerve, is one of the most common causes of blindness.

Glaucoma causes abnormally high intraocular pressure. Due to illness, the patient complains of acute pain around the eye and eyebrow.

Migraine

Migraine is a chronic, relapsing neurological disease characterized by throbbing, sharp pain on one or both sides of the head.

Headache is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to noise and light.

During a migraine attack, patients complain of pain around the eyes, eyebrows and temples.

Cluster headache

It is possible that the cause of the pain in the eyebrow area is a cluster (group) headache.

This is a condition that presents with an acute headache.

Headache of this type is characterized by repetition, namely, it can occur 8 times during the day and each attack lasts from 15 minutes to 3 hours.

It should be noted that during cluster headache, due to intense pain, the patient may even wake up at night. The condition has a remission, when the pain disappears without a trace and does not appear for several months or sometimes years.

During cluster headache, patients complain of sharp pain around the eyebrows, in the eye area and temples.

Tension headache

According to the American Migraine Foundation, tension headache is the most common form of headache.

During this type of pain, the patient complains of pain that extends to the area of ​​the eyes, eyebrows and temples.