What causes pain in the forehead?
Jun 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lu Cheng
Introduction
In general, forehead pain may be caused by stress and tension, eye strain, cold environments, migraines, sinusitis, or other factors. Symptomatic treatment such as general therapy or medication may be required. When experiencing forehead pain, it is recommended to perform moderate massage, gently circularly massaging from the center of the eyebrows outward toward the temples, which can help alleviate symptoms to some extent.
Generally, forehead pain may be caused by stress and tension, eye fatigue, cold environments, migraines, sinusitis, or other factors. Symptomatic management through general treatments, medications, and other methods is necessary. If discomfort persists, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention and undergo appropriate treatment under a doctor's guidance. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Stress and Tension
When a person is under stress or tension, muscles unconsciously tighten, especially those in the face and head. This muscle tension may trigger headaches, particularly in the forehead area, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as neck stiffness, shoulder pain, and sleep disturbances. It is recommended to learn relaxation techniques in daily life, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, which can help alleviate symptoms.
2. Eye Fatigue
Staring at computer screens, mobile phones, or other electronic devices for prolonged periods can overwork the muscles around the eyes, especially the frontalis and orbicularis oculi muscles. This may cause pain or discomfort in the forehead area, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as blurred vision, dry eyes, and heavy eyelids. It is recommended to maintain soft indoor lighting, reduce screen glare, and ensure adequate rest periods to avoid overexertion.
3. Cold Environments
Prolonged exposure to cold environments may cause blood vessels to constrict due to cold stimulation, affecting blood supply to the head and resulting in pain. This may be accompanied by sensations of coldness and shivering in other parts of the body. It is recommended to keep the head and face warm, and applying a warm compress or massaging the forehead may help promote blood circulation and relieve pain.
4. Migraine
Migraine is a common neurological disorder, often caused by genetic factors, neuronal excitability disorders, environmental changes, and other factors. It typically presents as a unilateral or bilateral pulsating headache, often starting in the forehead area, and may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound. It is recommended to follow medical advice in using medications such as ibuprofen tablets, indomethacin tablets, nimodipine tablets, and others to alleviate symptoms.
5. Sinusitis
Sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinus areas, primarily caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, commonly affecting the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses. Inflammation may spread to the forehead area, causing pain, possibly accompanied by nasal congestion, runny nose, facial tenderness, and other symptoms. It is recommended to undergo treatment under a doctor's guidance using medications such as cephalexin dry mix suspension, clindamycin hydrochloride tablets, azithromycin capsules, and others.
When experiencing forehead pain, gentle massage is recommended, such as circular motions from the glabella outward toward the temples, which may help alleviate symptoms to some extent.
