Unusual Sharp Discomfort Behind the Eyebrow During Flight
As a 23-year-old female, I had a peculiar experience with a sudden, intense pain located just behind my eyebrow while flying. This incident occurred nearly two years ago, and since then it hasn’t reoccurred, so I’m not particularly anxious about it. However, I've often found myself pondering what might have caused such a sensation, which led me to seek answers. During a short flight of about an hour and a half from London to Norway, I felt completely fine for most of the journey. However, as we began our descent, an abrupt, sharp pain shot through my eyebrow area. It was so intense that I initially feared I had somehow injured myself. Despite closely inspecting my eyebrow with my phone's camera, I discovered no visible injury, yet the pain intensified to a level that became nearly intolerable. I began to worry about navigating a foreign healthcare system in Norway without any knowledge of it. Touching the affected area made the discomfort even more pronounced; it felt similar to the stinging sensation of waxing. Remarkably, once we touched down and within a mere ten minutes, the pain completely disappeared. This episode was unlike anything I had experienced either then or prior during air travel. I suspect it may have been akin to a migraine triggered by shifting air pressure, although I have never had an eyebrow-centric headache like that before. I do suffer from chronic sinusitis, which could potentially be a contributing factor. Regardless, I have always found this occurrence fascinating and thought that perhaps you could shed some light on it.
Answers (1)

8/16/2025, 1:11:33 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be curious about an unusual, intense pain like the one you experienced during your flight. While it's reassuring that this incident hasn't recurred, I can provide some insights into possible causes and what you might consider.
Main Points:
- The sharp pain behind your eyebrow could be linked to pressure changes, potentially aggravated by your chronic sinusitis.
- Other possible causes include tension headaches or neuralgia.
- Observing any future symptoms will help clarify the situation.
Explanation:
During a flight, especially during descent, changes in air pressure can cause discomfort in the sinuses or other structures around the eyes. Given your history of chronic sinusitis, the pain was likely due to pressure changes affecting your sinuses, leading to a sharp, intense discomfort. Migraines can also be triggered by such changes, but your description aligns more closely with sinus-related discomfort, especially if it happened suddenly and resolved quickly.
Next Steps:
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: If you ever experience a similar sensation, take note of the context (like altitude changes during a flight), duration of the pain, and any accompanying symptoms (like sinus congestion or headaches).
-
Manage Sinus Health: Since you have chronic sinusitis, try saline nasal sprays or rinses before flying to help clear your sinuses and reduce the risk of pressure-related pain.
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Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water on flights as dehydration can worsen headaches and sinus discomfort.
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Consider Decongestants: If flying again, preemptively using an over-the-counter decongestant (if suitable for you) may help mitigate pressure changes on your sinuses.
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Consult if Issues Recur: If you experience this kind of pain again in the future, especially if it occurs outside of flying or is accompanied by other symptoms, consider seeking further advice.
If you have more questions or need clarity on any point, feel free to ask!
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