Targeted relief for forehead pressure, sinus headaches, and chronic congestion

If you live in the Seattle area and feel deep pressure across your forehead or behind your eyes every time a sinus infection hits, your frontal sinuses may be the main source of the problem. When these upper sinuses become inflamed or infected, the result, frontal sinusitis, can cause intense headaches, facial pain, and recurring infections that start to interfere with daily life. 

At Sinusitis In Seattle, board‑certified ENT surgeon Dr. David Santos focuses on diagnosing exactly which sinuses are involved and why, then tailoring treatment to help patients from Seattle and the greater Puget Sound region finally breathe and feel better. 

What Are the Frontal Sinuses?

Your frontal sinuses sit just behind the forehead and above the eyes, within the bone of the brow. They are part of the network of air‑filled cavities in the skull that also includes the maxillary (cheek), ethmoid (between the eyes), and sphenoid (deeper) sinuses. 

Like the other sinuses, the frontal sinuses:

• Produce mucus to keep the inside of your nose moist
  
• Help filter and humidify the air you breathe
  
• Play a small role in how your voice sounds
  
• Lighten the weight of the skull

Normally, mucus made in the sinuses drains through small openings into the nasal cavity and then down the back of the throat without you noticing. When that drainage system becomes blocked, fluid and pressure build up, and that’s when frontal sinusitis starts to cause trouble.

 

What Is Frontal Sinusitis?

Frontal sinusitis refers to inflammation of the sinus cavities in the forehead region. In many cases, it begins as a typical sinus infection related to a cold or upper respiratory infection and settles primarily in the frontal sinuses. 

People with frontal sinusitis often describe:

• Deep or throbbing forehead pain or pressure
  
• Pain that may extend behind or above the eyes
  
• Discomfort that worsens when bending forward or lying down
  
• Nasal congestion or a runny nose
  
• Thick nasal discharge
  
• Reduced sense of smell
  
• General fatigue or flu‑like feeling

Because the frontal sinuses lie close to the brain and the eyes, infections in this area are treated with special care to prevent rare but serious complications. 

Types of Frontal Sinusitis: Acute, Subacute & Chronic

All of the major sinusitis categories can occur in the frontal sinuses. Doctors classify sinusitis mainly by how long symptoms last: 

Acute Frontal Sinusitis

• Symptoms typically follow a cold or upper respiratory infection
  
• Often caused by a virus and improves within 7–10 days
  
• If symptoms last more than 10 days or worsen after initially improving, a bacterial infection is indicative
  

Many acute infections in the frontal sinuses clear with time, supportive care, and sometimes antibiotics when bacteria are involved.

Subacute Frontal Sinusitis

• Symptoms linger beyond 4 weeks but less than 12 weeks
  
• May be linked to allergies, ongoing irritation, or incomplete resolution of an earlier infection
  
• Often feels like a never‑ending sinus infection with forehead pressure and congestion that just won’t go away

 

Chronic Frontal Sinusitis

• Symptoms persist longer than 3 months
  
• Often tied to structural issues (such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps), chronic inflammation, or repeated infections
  
• Headache and facial pressure tend to be less intense than in acute infections but are more constant and disruptive
  

Chronic or recurrent frontal sinusitis is where a Seattle‑area sinus specialist, Dr. Santos can make the biggest difference.

 

What Causes Frontal Sinusitis?

Multiple factors can contribute to frontal sinusitis. Common causes and risk factors include:

Viruses 

The most frequent trigger, often following the common cold or flu.

Bacteria 

Usually suspected when symptoms last longer than 10–14 days or get worse instead of better.

Fungi 

Less common but important in certain immune conditions.

Allergies and environmental irritants 

Ongoing inflammation can keep sinus passages swollen and blocked.

Anatomical issues  

A deviated septum, narrow drainage pathways, or nasal polyps can make you more prone to frontal sinus problems

Smoking or secondhand smoke 

Irritates nasal and sinus tissue and slows normal ciliary function

Part of your visit at Sinusitis In Seattle involves identifying which of these factors might be driving your frontal sinusitis so that treatment can go beyond just short‑term symptom control.

 

When to See a Frontal Sinusitis Specialist in Seattle

Mild sinus infections often improve on their own. However, you should consider seeing an ENT specialist if you notice: 

• Frontal headaches or sinus symptoms lasting more than 3–4 weeks
  
• Multiple sinus infections each year
  
• Persistent forehead or behind‑the‑eyes pressure that affects sleep or work
  
• Sinus symptoms that don’t respond to standard medications from your primary care provider
  
• Associated problems such as nasal polyps, asthma, or a known deviated septum

Seek urgent care immediately if you develop:

• Sudden, severe headache with high fever
  
• Swelling around the eyes or forehead
  
• Vision changes
  
• Confusion or neurological symptoms
  

These can signal rare but serious complications that need prompt treatment. 

 

How Frontal Sinusitis Is Evaluated at Sinusitis In Seattle

When you visit Sinusitis In Seattle for frontal sinus symptoms, Dr. Santos will typically: 

1. Review your history – Duration of symptoms, prior infections, allergy history, previous treatments.
   
2. Examine your nose and sinuses – Using a focused ENT exam and, when indicated, nasal endoscopy to visualize drainage pathways.
   
3. Order imaging when needed – CT scans can show the frontal sinuses clearly and reveal structural issues that might be trapping infection.
   
4. Clarify your diagnosis – Distinguishing between acute, subacute, and chronic frontal sinusitis, and whether multiple sinus cavities are involved.

This careful approach helps ensure that you get a tailored plan rather than another short course of medication that only partially helps.

 

Frontal Sinusitis Treatment Options in Seattle

Treatment is based on symptom duration, suspected cause, and your overall health. Many patients start with non‑surgical care, and only move to surgery if needed. 

 

Non‑Surgical Management

Depending on your situation, Dr. Santos may recommend:

• Saline nasal irrigation to improve drainage
  
• Prescription or over‑the‑counter nasal steroid sprays
  
• Short‑term decongestants (when appropriate)
  
• Pain relievers for headache and facial pressure
  
• Antibiotics for suspected or confirmed bacterial infections
  
• Allergy management if triggers like pollen or dust are contributing
  

Many people with acute or subacute frontal sinusitis improve with this kind of structured medical therapy.

 

Advanced Surgical Options

When symptoms persist despite appropriate medical care or when structural problems block the frontal sinus drainage pathway, sinus surgery may provide more lasting relief. At Sinusitis In Seattle, Dr. Santos offers several minimally invasive options, including: 

• Endoscopic sinus surgery – Uses a tiny camera and instruments through the nostrils to open blocked pathways, remove diseased tissue, and restore ventilation.
  
• Balloon sinus dilation – A small balloon is carefully guided into the frontal sinus opening, inflated to widen the drainage channel, then removed.
  
• Image‑guided (stealth) sinus surgery – Uses advanced navigation technology to help precisely access and treat the frontal sinus, which can be one of the more technically challenging areas.
  

In some cases, additional procedures such as septoplasty, turbinate reduction, or nasal polyp removal are performed at the same time to address underlying causes and reduce the risk of future infections. 

All of these surgeries are performed in a dedicated ambulatory surgery setting just south of Seattle, designed specifically for ENT and sinus procedures. 

 

Why Seattle Patients Choose Sinusitis In Seattle for Frontal Sinusitis

Choosing where to go for frontal sinus pain and recurrent sinus infections matters. Patients throughout the Seattle area turn to Sinusitis In Seattle because: 

• Dr. David Santos is a board‑certified ENT surgeon with decades of experience focused on sinus disease and sinus surgery.
  
• The practice offers both non‑surgical and surgical options, so care can be escalated only when necessary.
  
• Modern techniques, including endoscopic, balloon, and image‑guided sinus surgery, are available under one roof.
  
• The clinic and surgery center are conveniently located for patients across Seattle, Burien, Renton, and the greater Puget Sound region.
  
• Care is highly individualized, treatment plans are built around your specific anatomy, symptoms, and goals.

 

Living with Frontal Sinusitis in Seattle?

Ongoing forehead pressure, sinus headaches, and repeated infections aren’t something you just have to live with. If you’re dealing with frequent or prolonged sinus symptoms, especially involving the forehead and behind the eyes, a focused evaluation for frontal sinusitis in Seattle can help uncover the cause and open the door to lasting relief.

Sinusitis In Seattle is dedicated to helping you breathe easier, sleep better, and get back to enjoying life in the Pacific Northwest with clearer sinuses and fewer sinus days. To know more about our services or book a consultation, call us at (206) 242-3696 or visit our website.