Ambulance 912HAP 9252
Back to all symptoms and conditions
General health information

Cluster headache

Cluster headache causes extremely severe attacks of pain on one side, around or behind one eye. Attacks often come in series at set times, with watering, a blocked nose or a drooping eyelid on the same side. A doctor must confirm the diagnosis and make a plan for rapid attack treatment and prevention.

In this article
Choose which sections to read

  • Cluster headache causes exceptionally severe attacks on one side around the eye or temple.
  • An attack usually starts within minutes, often lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours and may return several times over a day and night.
  • A red, watery eye, runny or blocked nose, sweating, a smaller pupil and a drooping eyelid may occur on the same side.
  • Attacks often occur over weeks or months in a recognisable period, sometimes at almost the same time of day or night.
  • A specialist treatment plan usually includes very fast-acting attack treatment and, during a cluster period, preventive treatment if needed.
  • A first, sudden or clearly changed severe headache needs medical assessment; do not assume it is cluster headache yourself.

Your response

Two anonymous questions

Did you find what you were looking for?

Do you now have a clearer idea of your next step?

Share article

Email

Do you need a healthcare provider after reading?

Search by type of care, organisation, name or district.

Further reading

Browse A–Z
B
Bell's palsyIn Bell's palsy, the facial nerve on one side suddenly works less well. This can make the corner of the mouth droop and prevent the eye from closing. Because a drooping face can also result from a stroke or another condition, assessment the same day is necessary.
G
GlaucomaGlaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. The most common form develops slowly and causes no symptoms for a long time; lost areas of vision do not return. Early detection and treatment can often slow further damage. Sudden severe eye pain with a red eye, blurred vision, coloured rings around lights, headache or nausea may be acute angle-closure glaucoma and needs immediate specialist eye assessment.
C
Cancer painPain in cancer can come from the tumour, metastases, treatment or another condition. A personal pain plan combining medicines and non-drug treatment can often greatly reduce pain, so that no one has to suffer unnecessarily.