Treating COVID-19 Headaches: Medication, Natural Options, And More

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat to know about COVID-19 and headache relief

Medically reviewed by Darragh O'Carroll, MD — Written by Zawn Villines on April 29, 2022

Headaches in COVID-19
Medication
Natural remedies
In long COVID
Other causes
Outlook
Seeking help
Emergency treatment
Summary

Headaches can occur with COVID-19 either as a symptom of the infection or due to factors such as dehydration or stress. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil), and other headache remedies may help.

Coronavirus data

All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date. Visit our coronavirus hub for the most recent information on COVID-19.

However, there are many possible causes of a headache, including stress and withdrawal from caffeine. People can often treat a headache at home using medical treatments, home remedies, or both. Occasionally, a headache will be a medical emergency, and a person will need medical care.

In this article, we provide an overview of COVID-19 and headaches, including the association between headaches and long COVID. We also discuss the outlook for people with COVID-19-related headaches, list some other possible causes of headaches, and offer advice on when to see a doctor.

Visit our COVID-19 hub to learn more about this disease.

COVID-19 and headaches

A woman with a COVID headache. — Mauro Grigollo/Stocksy

A headache is a common symptom of COVID-19. According to a 2021 review, estimates of the number of people with COVID-19 who experience headaches as a symptom of the disease range widely from 10% to 70%. In most cases, the headaches are tension-type headaches, although about 25% of people present with migraine-like symptoms.

The likelihood of experiencing a headache as a symptom of COVID-19 may also depend partly on the variant of the coronavirus causing it. Preliminary research suggests that a headache is one of the most common symptoms that people with the Omicron variant of the virus experience.

A 2021 review notes that having a headache during a coronavirus infection is associated with a reduced risk of dying from COVID-19. However, the cause of this correlation remains unclear.

»MORE:Get an online treatment plan for COVID-19 in as little as 15 minutes with Optum Now Online Care.

Optum Now is operated by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Medical treatments

COVID-19 is a relatively new disease, and doctors have not yet developed a specific treatment for the headaches it can cause. Instead, people must rely on standard headache remedies. The exact treatment will depend on the type of headache they experience.

Tension-type headaches

Most COVID-19 headaches are tension-type headaches. These headaches occur when muscular pain in the neck or shoulders radiates to the head. Pain medications can help ease muscular pain and headache pain.

Some medications that may relieve the symptoms include:

ibuprofen (Advil)
naproxen (Aleve)
aspirin
acetaminophen (Tylenol)
combination headache medications, such as those containing aspirin, caffeine, and acetaminophen

Migraine headaches

Some people develop migraine headaches during or following coronavirus infection. Migraine is a neurological condition that typically causes a moderate to severe headache on one side of the head.

Other possible symptoms of migraine include:

sensitivity to light, sounds, or smells
changes in vision or other bodily sensations
nausea or vomiting

As with tension headaches, migraine headaches may respond to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin.

If the above drugs do not work, a doctor may prescribe one or more of the following medications:

antinausea medications
steroid medications, such as dexamethasone (DexPak)
prescription migraine medications, called triptans, which include:
- sumatriptan (Imitrex)
- eletriptan (Relpax)
- almotriptan (Axert)
- rizatriptan (Maxalt)

Preventive treatments can help reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. Some options include:

beta-blockers
antidepressants
topiramate (Topamax)
divalproex (Depakote)

Natural treatments

One of the most effective natural treatments for COVID-19-related headaches is identifying and avoiding potential triggers. Some common headache triggers during coronavirus infection include:

lying in bed, which results in muscle pain and tension in the upper body
dehydration resulting from a fever or being too tired to get food or water
sleep deprivation
stress

Tips to help prevent headache triggers include:

stretching or massaging the muscles gently
drinking plenty of water
taking acetaminophen to help control a fever
practicing meditation or mindfulness to help reduce stress levels and promote better sleep

Some natural headache remedies include:

exercising, which may help with the following:
- reducing muscle pain and tension
- alleviating stress
- promoting sleep
applying heat to tense muscles, which may help ease tension headache pain
massaging tense muscles in the shoulders, neck, jaw, and back of the head
having a warm shower or bath
taking magnesium supplements, which may ease acute headaches and reduce the risk of chronic headaches
avoiding the excessive consumption of caffeine

Headaches in long COVID

A headache is a common symptom of long COVID. Researchers do not yet understand why this is the case.

There is no specific treatment for long COVID or for the headaches it can cause. The same treatments that people use for other headaches may help alleviate long COVID headache pain. However, they may not stop the headaches from coming back.

People with long COVID and headaches should talk with a doctor about longer term treatment options, as well as the possibility of participating in clinical trials.

Other headache causes

Headaches are very common and do not necessarily indicate that a person has COVID-19. Even when a person with COVID-19 develops a headache, the disease may not be the cause.

In some cases, the headache may be a secondary symptom because, for instance, lying in bed has triggered a tension headache. In other cases, the headache may be completely unrelated to the coronavirus infection.

Although they are painful, most headaches are harmless and go away on their own. Examples include:

sinus headaches
migraine headaches
tension headaches
cluster headaches
headaches that are the result of:
- stress and anxiety
- dehydration
- drinking too much caffeine or withdrawal from caffeine

However, some headaches can signal a medical emergency. A headache with the following characteristics may signal a serious underlying medical condition, such as meningitis or stroke:

a very severe headache that comes on suddenly and is unlike any previous headache
a headache that occurs alongside other symptoms, such as:
- fever
- stiff neck
- skin rash
- double vision
- slurred speech
- confusion
- weakness or paralysis in one or both arms or on one side of the face
- seizures

Outlook

Most headaches go away on their own or following appropriate home treatment. People who have COVID-19-related headaches may find that the headaches become less severe or less frequent once their COVID-19 symptoms subside.

However, long COVID is common, especially among older COVID-19 survivors.

In one 2021 study, 57% of 273,618 COVID-19 survivors experienced at least one long COVID symptom up to 6 months after the initial infection. Among these individuals, 8.67% had a headache 1–180 days after COVID-19, and 4.63% had a headache 90–180 days after COVID-19.

The above data suggest that although the frequency of COVID-19-related headaches typically declines with time, some people may continue to experience headaches even 6 months after the infection.

Contacting a doctor

Most COVID-19-related headaches will resolve over time. However, a person who has COVID-19 or has previously had the coronavirus infection should speak with a doctor if they experience the following:

symptoms of long COVID
worsening headaches
a headache that lasts for several days and does not respond to home treatment
severe, frequent, or persistent migraine attacks

Seeking emergency treatment

A headache can sometimes signal a medical emergency. A person should go to the emergency room or call 911 if they experience one or more of the following symptoms:

very intense headache pain that is different from their usual headache pain
a thunderclap headache, which is an intense headache that comes on suddenly in less than 60 seconds
a severe headache that follows a popping sensation in the head
an intense headache following a blow to the head, fall, or accident
accompanying symptoms, such as:
- confusion
- difficulty understanding language
- slurred speech
- difficulty with balance or coordination
- weakness in one side of the face or body
- loss of consciousness
- seizures

Summary

A headache is a common symptom of COVID-19. It may occur as a primary or secondary symptom of the disease. Headaches can also present as a symptom of long COVID.

The treatment for COVID-19-related headaches is the same as that for most headaches unrelated to the disease. Treatment options include over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers, along with natural treatments, such as gentle exercise, massage, and maintaining adequate hydration.

A person should speak with a doctor if they experience persistent or worsening headaches during or following a coronavirus infection.

Most headaches are harmless and disappear on their own or following appropriate treatment. However, some headaches can signal a serious and potentially life threatening medical issue. Anyone who experiences a sudden or severe headache that occurs alongside other concerning symptoms should seek emergency medical attention.

Headache / Migraine
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Neurology / Neuroscience
COVID-19

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Baraness, L., et al. (2021). Acute headache. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554510/
Caronna, E., et al. (2021). Headache as a symptom of COVID-19: Narrative review of 1-year research. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-021-00987-8
Ha, H., et al. (2019). Migraine headache prophylaxis. https://www.aafp.org/afp/2019/0101/p17.html
Iacobucci, G. (2021). COVID-19: Runny nose, headache, and fatigue are commonest symptoms of omicron, early data show. https://www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj.n3103
Maier, J. A., et al. (2020). Headaches and magnesium: Mechanisms, bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy and potential advantage of magnesium pidolate. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/9/2660
Martelletti, P., et al. (2021). Long-COVID headache. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8136258/
Overview: Migraine. (2019). https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/
Rocha-Filho, P. A. S., et al. (2022). Headache, anosmia, ageusia and other neurological symptoms in COVID-19: A cross-sectional study. https://thejournalofheadacheandpain.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s10194-021-01367-8
Ruschel, M. A. P., et al. (2021). Migraine headache. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560787/
Shah, N., et al. (2021). Muscle contraction tension headache. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562274/
Taquet, M., et al. (2021). Incidence, co-occurrence, and evolution of long-COVID features: A 6-month retrospective cohort study of 273,618 survivors of COVID-19.https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003773

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Medically reviewed by Darragh O'Carroll, MD — Written by Zawn Villines on April 29, 2022

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Tag » How Long Does A Covid Headache Last

Treating COVID-19 Headaches: Medication, Natural Options, And More

Coronavirus data

COVID-19 and headaches

Medical treatments

Tension-type headaches

Migraine headaches

Natural treatments

Headaches in long COVID

Other headache causes

Outlook

Contacting a doctor

Seeking emergency treatment

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

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