Many people experience pain in the front of the head — such as behind the forehead, eyes, or cheeks — during a migraine attack. Front-of-head migraines are often confused with sinus headaches because they affect the same areas and tend to produce throbbing pain.

Other headache disorders can also cause pain in the front of the head. So, how do you know which is which? And why does your migraine pain shift from one part of your head to another? Find out in this quick guide.

Is It Really a Migraine? Other Causes of Front-of-Head Pain

There are many different types of headaches, and treatment may vary based on the cause of your front-of-head pain.

There’s a good chance it’s a migraine headache if the pain occurs on one side of the head, but the pain can switch to the opposite side at any time. Migraine pain often feels pulsing, pounding, or throbbing.

The most distinctive migraine symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to sound, light, and odor. Some people briefly experience other symptoms like muscle weakness and vision changes.

Other causes of front-of-head pain include the following:

• Ice pick headache — Sudden, stabbing pain typically felt behind the eyes or forehead
• Sinus headache — Pressure or pain in the sinus cavities behind the forehead, eyes, and cheeks, usually with nasal congestion, discharge, fever, and pain that is worse when bending forward
• Eyestrain headache — Mild pain across the front of the head after a period of eyestrain
• Fasting headache — Mild to moderate dull, nonthrobbing pain across the front of the head after not eating for an extended period of time
• Tension-type headache — Constant, nonthrobbing pressure or a band across the forehead and temples that’s strongly linked to stress and sometimes accompanied by light and sound sensitivity, as well as sore neck and shoulder muscles
• Cluster headache — Severe headache pain on one side, often around or behind one eye, which can happen many times a day for weeks or months

Why Migraine Pain Localizes to the Front of the Head

Migraine is linked to changes in how the brain and nerves process pain. During an attack, the trigeminal nerve (a major nerve that carries feeling from the face and head) can become extra sensitive. The body may release pain-signaling chemicals (including one called calcitonin gene-related peptide) that can raise inflammation and pain signals around the head.

Migraine pain can show up in different places because different branches of the trigeminal nerve can be involved from one attack to the next. That’s why one migraine might hurt in your temples, while another might hurt behind your eyes, across your forehead, or in your cheeks.

Many factors can ultimately trigger a migraine attack. Your front-of-head migraine could trace back to these common triggers:

• Hormone changes
• Weather changes
• Lack of sleep
• Stress
• Too much physical activity
• Skipping meals
• Certain foods
• Certain medications
• Bright lights
• Strong smells
• Loud noises

When to Talk With a Doctor

Talk to a healthcare professional if you experience new or worsening symptoms during a migraine attack or have headaches that don’t fit the profile of a typical migraine. Tracking symptoms and triggers in a headache journal makes it easier for you and your doctor to recognize trends and patterns. This can help your doctor recommend the best treatment plan for you.

Seek emergency medical care if you notice new neurological symptoms, such as:

• Sudden, severe frontal head pain
• Confusion
• Numbness or tingling
• Balance problems
• Vision changes
• Seizures
• Trouble speaking
• Fever
• Stiff neck

If you suddenly get the worst headache of your life — especially if it peaks very fast — call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. It could be bleeding around the brain or another serious condition.

Join the Conversation

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