What a Headache on the Right Side Means (2024)

A primary headache on the right side of the head is often caused by a migraine, tension, or cluster headache. A right-sided headache can also be a symptom of chronic health conditions like arthritis or trigeminal neuralgia.

As a secondary headache due to another cause, a headache on just the right side can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, like bleeding in the brain.

This article will go over the possible causes of a headache on the right side. You'll also learn when you need to talk to your provider or seek emergency care.

Primary and Secondary Headaches

Headaches on the right side of the head are generally classified the same as headaches in general—they are either primary or secondary:

• Primary headaches exist on their own (for example, migraines).
• Secondary headaches are caused by something else like pregnancy, medication, trauma, or an underlying illness or condition (for example, an infection or arthritis in the bones of the neck).

Migraine

If you're having a migraine, you may only have this primary headache on the right side of your head. Migraine is a common neurological disorder that affects about 12% of the population. It is more common in females than males.

A migraine headache feels like a throbbing, burning, or drilling pain. It can be felt on one or both sides of the head. The pain tends to get worse with physical activity. A headache from a migraine can last from hours to three days.

Other symptoms of a migraine include:

• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Light, sound, and smell sensitivity
• Nose congestion
• Neck stiffness and pain
• Anxiety and/or a depressed mood
• Insomnia (difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep)

Mild to moderate migraines are usually treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen sodium). More severe migraine attacks typically require a triptan, like Imitrex (sumatriptan), or a combination NSAID/triptan, like Treximet.

For people with migraines who cannot take or tolerate a triptan, a drug that targets a specific serotonin receptor, called Reyvow (lasmiditan), might be helpful. Alternatively, a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) blocker such as Nurtec ODT (rimegepant) can be tried.

Cluster Headache

Another common primary headache that can be felt on just the right side is a cluster headache.

This kind of headache causes a severe, sharp, or stabbing one-sided headache around the eye or temple. The pain can last up to three hours. Cluster headaches are more common in men.

In addition to a right-sided headache, you might have other cluster headache symptoms such as:

• Eye pupil that becomes small (miosis)
• Drooping of the upper eyelid (ptosis)
• Eye tearing and/or redness
• Stuffy and/or runny nose
• Facial sweating and/or flushing
• Unusual skin sensitivity
• Restlessness or an inability to sit or lie down (due to the severity of the pain)

Cluster headaches are usually treated first by inhaling oxygen. If oxygen is not helpful, a triptan that is injected or inhaled through the nose is usually tried. Imitrex is available in injectable and inhaled forms.

Hemicrania Continua

Hemicrania continua is a rare one-sided headache that is more common in females. The headache might just be on the right side of the head, but it happens daily and continuously without any pain-free periods.

Along with a non-stop primary headache, people get exacerbations of severe pain—essentially, a headache on top of a headache.

Hemicrania continua can also cause other symptoms, such as:

• Redness or tearing of your eye
• Eyelid swelling
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Sweating or flushing of your face
• Feeling like you have sand in your eye
• A sensation of ear fullness
• Restlessness
• Worsening of the pain with movement

Hemicrania continua will get better when takingan NSAID called Indocin (indomethacin).

Paroxysmal Hemicrania

Paroxysmal hemicrania is a rare primary headache disorder that can cause a headache on the right side.

The disorder causes brief, severe attacks of one-sided headache pain. The attacks occur at least five times a day and usually last for two to 30 minutes.

The other symptoms of paroxysmal hemicrania happen on the same side of the headache and can include:

• Eye redness and/or tearing
• Stuffy and/or runny nose
• Eyelid swelling
• Facial sweating and/or flushing
• Miosis and/or ptosis

As with hemicrania continua, Indocin is the first-line treatment for paroxysmal hemicrania.

SUNCT Syndrome

Another rare disorder that can cause a primary headache on the right side is "SUNCT," which stands for short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing.

This syndrome causes short, intense attacks of pain on one side of the head, typically around one eye.

SUNCT syndrome is more common in males. The average age of onset is 50 years old.

A right-sided headache from SUNCT can also come with other symptoms including:

• Ptosis
• Eye tearing
• A stuffy nose
• Facial sweating
  

SUNCT is harder to treat but may respond to corticosteroids (steroids) or certain anti-seizure drugs like Lamictal (lamotrigine).

Trigeminal Neuralgia

If you have trigeminal neuralgia, you may have a secondary headache on just the right side of your head. The condition affects about 150,000 people each year, with sudden or continuous episodes of intensely sharp, burning, throbbing, or shock-like pain in the face, including the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, eyes, and forehead.

The pain almost always occurs on one side of the face—in fact, the right side is more common than the left.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a rare condition. It's believed to happen because of inflammation or compression of the trigeminal nerve (the fifth cranial nerve).

Common triggers of the pain are:

• Talking
• Smiling
• Brushing your teeth
• Applying makeup
• Shaving

Trigeminal neuralgia is usually treated with anti-seizure medications like Tegretol (carbamazepine), Neurontin (gabapentin), or Trileptal (oxcarbazepine).

Cervicogenic Headache

You may get a secondary headache on the right side if you have a cervicogenic headache, which is caused by a bone, joint, or soft tissue problem in the neck. This fairly common type of headache causes one-sided pain that starts in the neck and spreads to the front of the head.

The pain of a cervicogenic headache starts or gets worse with neck movement and is usually accompanied by neck stiffness and arm or shoulder pain on the same side as the head pain.

A cervicogenic headache can be treated with a nerve pain medication called Lyrica (pregabalin). If medication is not effective, an anesthetic (numbing) blockade of the affected joint in the neck may be helpful.

Giant Cell Arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) or temporal arteritis is a type of blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis) that affects large- and medium-sized arteries. It occurs in about 1% of females and 0.5% of males. The arteries in the neck that travel to the head are the most commonly affected.

The secondary headache of GCA is new in onset, severe, and is usually located over one of the temples—which might be on the right side.

Other symptoms of GCA include:

• Scalp tenderness
• Pain when chewing (jaw claudication)
• Vision loss
• Muscle stiffness and pain

GCA is treated with high doses of corticosteroids.

Occipital Neuralgia

Occipital neuralgia is a rare cause of secondary headaches that's similar to trigeminal neuralgia. The pain generally affects the scalp rather than the face. It's often caused by a pinched nerve or stiff muscles in the neck.

Steroid injections often bring relief, though some people may require surgery.

Ruptured Brain Aneurysm

A ruptured brain aneurysm is a comparatively rare medical emergency that can cause a secondary headache on just the right side. An enlarged artery bursts open and bleeds into the brain, often with a severe, explosive headache called a thunderclap headache. The pain can be on just one side of the head.

A thunderclap headache reaches maximal intensity within one minute. A person may also have other symptoms like:

• Confusion
• Seizure
• Passing out (fainting)
• Fever
• Stiff neck
• Neurological problems like weakness or numbness
  

A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency that requires immediate brain surgery to place a clip on the artery to stop it from bleeding into the brain.

Other Types of Headaches

Although it's not as common, other types of headaches can also cause pain on just the right side:

• Postinfectious headaches usually develop from a viral infection like influenza (flu) or COVID-19.
• Post-traumatic headaches occur after a traumatic brain injury and can also come up with dizziness, nausea, and problems concentrating.
• Brain tumor headaches can be constant and get worse at night or early in the morning.
• Headaches from an ischemic stroke (when an artery that supplies blood to the brain is clogged) usually occur are the same time as any neurological symptoms.
• Allergies can lead to headaches, often the sinus headache type due to swelling and blockage in the sinus cavities.
• Muscle strain can lead to a secondary headache, often with neck pain. This can be due to extensive computer use, as can eye strain that occurs with a headache.
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can lead to secondary symptoms including headache.
• Brain freeze, called sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia, occurs when eating something cold leads to an intense secondary headache.
• Dehydration is a trigger for different kinds of headaches, including migraines. If you haven't had enough fluid, a headache can also be a sign of dehydration.

Home Remedies for Right Side Headache

If you have a headache on the right side, there are also some home remedies that might be helpful, but it will depend on what kind of headache you have.

For example:

• Migrainescan be eased by resting in a dark, quiet room, and placing a cold pack or compress on the area of pain.
• Cluster headachescan be managed by engaging in deep breathing exercises and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Limiting alcohol use and not smoking might also be helpful for prevention.
• Cervicogenic headaches may be prevented by doing range-of-motion and stretching exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist. Active neck and head pain might be soothed by applying either a cold compress or a moist, heated towel for 10- to 15-minute intervals.
  

When to See a Provider for a Headache on the Right Side

Most headaches on the right side are not serious or dangerous. However, there are some signs and symptoms that could go along with a right-sided headache that would alert you to a more serious cause.

Call your provider if:

• Your headache pattern is changing.
• Your headache is preventing you from engaging in normal, daily activities.
• You have a new headache and are over age 65, are pregnant or just gave birth, or have a history of cancer or a weakened immune system.
  
• Your headache is triggered by sneezing, coughing, or exercising.
  
• You are experiencing a headache associated with taking painkillers regularly.
  

Summary

A headache located on the right side of your head can provide a clue about the type of headache you are having. The cause of headaches on the right side or all over your head can be complex. Diagnosing and treating them can also be complicated.

While most one-sided headaches are migraines, they can also be caused by an underlying problem with the nerves, blood vessels, or other structures located within your neck, face, or brain.

If you get headaches on the right side and are not managing them well on your own or with your provider, see a headaches specialist. They can provide the correct headache diagnosis and help you get the most effective treatment.