How Do You Prevent Allergy Headaches
Avoiding triggers whenever possible is the best way to treat or prevent headaches.
If you arenât sure what is causing your allergy headaches, consider keeping a âheadache journalâ over a few days or weeks. This may help you identify potential causes and triggers for your allergies and headaches.
Once you have a better idea about what is causing your allergies and headaches, you can make any necessary changes to your home, schedule, or behavior. Depending on the triggers, you may need to alter the way you clean your home or the products you use, or make changes to your diet. You may have to remove specific plants or odors that can trigger your symptoms.
If you notice that your allergies and headaches are usually triggered outside, there are some options to limit your exposure.
- Stay indoors when triggers like pollen or mold are at their highest, or when it is windy.
- Keep windows closed, or avoid using window fans that can pull outdoor allergens into the house.
What Is The Link Between Migraine And Allergies
According to the American Migraine Foundation, one study found that migraine occurred in 34% of people who have allergies, compared to 4% of people who do not have allergies. Asthma is also more common in people who get migraine compared to people who do not.
Additional research showed that migraine occurred 14% to 28% more frequently in those with migraine and allergies than in those with migraine alone. Allergies and asthma also cause people with episodic migraine to be more than twice as likely to develop chronic migraine . Another study showed that there is an increased risk of migraine in children with asthma.
Allergy Headaches: Causes Symptoms & Treatment
Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is a common condition that affects millions of Americans every year. The symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and itchy throat. While some people experience only these symptoms, others suffer from more symptoms, including headaches.
Allergies cause two forms of headaches: sinus headaches and migraine headaches.
Generally speaking, its crucial to see a doctor if your headaches are chronic, getting worse, or if they come along with other symptoms like sensitivity to light or noise. You should also contact a Arizona allergy expertif you think your headache is related to your allergies.
If you want to learn more about headaches caused by migraines, keep reading the information below.
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What Can I Do About Recurring Sinus Headaches
Many sinus headaches, especially those that recur, are actually migraines. But its smart to see your healthcare provider to figure out the cause of your headaches.
You may find that the best long-term solution is figuring out what triggers your migraine headaches so you can avoid them. Its helpful to keep a headache diary to track potential triggers. Triggers you can control include:
- Specific foods, such as chocolate, red wine or strong cheese.
Can Allergies Cause Headaches
Yes, allergies can cause headaches. There are two main types of allergy headaches.
Sinus headaches happen when the sinus cavities are swollen and their openings into the nasal passages are blocked, which stops normal drainage and causes pressure to build up.
The sinus cavities are located behind the eyes, inside each cheekbone, in the forehead, and behind the bridge of the nose, so these areas are where the pain of sinus headaches tends to occur.
Migraines, on the other hand, generally cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head.
Both types of headaches can occur with hay fever , which causes a runny, stuffy nose and other allergy symptoms.
While many people are quick to diagnose their allergy headaches as being sinus headaches, some studies have shown that up to 90% of patient-diagnosed sinus headaches are actually migraines, which require different treatment.
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What Types Of Headaches Are There
There are many different types of headache, but the one most commonly associated with hayfever is a sinus headache.
There are four sinus cavities in the head. These are hollow air spaces connected to the nose by narrow passages which allow mucus and other fluids to drain away.
When the body reacts to pollen, the membranes of these cavities become inflamed, leading to an increase in the volume and viscosity of the fluid produced. This mucus cannot drain away easily resulting in an increase in pressure inside the sinus cavities.
This causes sinus headaches and other similar types of facial pain.
In addition to sinus headaches, it seems that hayfever can also give rise to migraines. The reason why this comes about is still being investigated, but it seems that histamines released during an attack of hayfever can also trigger migraine headaches.
Small Amounts Of Caffeine
Your morning coffee might feel like a life-sustaining necessity for functioning as a human throughout the day. But it might also be the key to alleviating your headache.
Caffeine has vasoconstrictive properties, which is a technical way of saying that it can restrict or narrow the blood vessels. This restriction reduces swelling, therefore alleviating some discomfort by changing the blood flow pressure in your sinuses and skull.
Of course, too much of a good thing can turn out not so good. If you consume caffeine in large amounts regularly, you can become dependent. Without caffeine, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal which includes headaches.
Healthy adults can safely consume 400 mg of caffeine a day .
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Can You Prevent Headaches
Many headaches can be managed with preventive measures, but the methods will differ by headache type. Some headache types might be prevented with medication, while others might be caused by the same medication. For this reason, its important to know what works for you.
Discuss preventive treatments with a doctor to find a plan that fits your needs. Headache prevention could mean reduced headache frequency or intensity, or prevention of headaches altogether.
In general, many headaches can be prevented or improved with lifestyle changes including:
Your outlook will depend on the type of headache youre having.
Primary headaches dont cause permanent disability or death. However, if they are frequent and severe enough, they could be debilitating on a temporary basis. These headache types can often be managed when properly diagnosed and treated.
The outlook for secondary headaches will depend on the underlying cause. Some can be managed through simple changes to routines, while others could be fatal without immediate medical attention.
If youre experiencing recurring or severe headaches, get medical assistance right away. An accurate diagnosis will be the first step in understanding and managing your headaches going forward.
What Is The Connection Between Headaches & Allergies
Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal passages frequently caused by an allergy to anything in the environment. The condition is known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever.
Hay fever can induce many symptoms, although headache is unusual, according to experts from a 2016 study.
When allergic rhinitis progresses to rhinosinusitis it can occasionally cause headaches.
However, headaches often associated with sinusitis may be the result of migraine.
Both conditions can result in a runny nose, nasal congestion, and watery eyes. Additionally, both could get worse with exposure to allergens and weather changes. These similarities may confuse you at first since you wont be able to differentiate a simple allergy from sinusitis. Contacting a Queen Creek allergy expert becomes crucial in this case.
When the sinuses swell, they block the nasal passages, causing pressure to build up and resulting in sinus headaches. Pain behind the cheeks or at the top of the head may develop.
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Why Sinus Headache Is A Diagnostic Challenge: Similarities And Differences
Another common feature of allergic rhinitis and migraine is their seasonal exacerbation in the spring, fall, and summer months as a result of allergic triggers . A study from South Korea conducted between 2005 and 2013 showed that 13.5 % of migraine patients reported seasonal exacerbations . Moreover, the costs of migraine treatment are higher during allergy season , because many people with migraine experience an increase in headache intensity and frequency due to coexisting allergic rhinitis . Furthermore, ocular and nasal symptoms in allergic rhinitis may vary from day to day, depending on the allergen concentration in the atmosphere .
To avoid a misdiagnosis, it is important to realize that the pain characteristics of each condition may differ. Patients describe sinus-related pain as dull and pressure-like usually bilateral located in the maxillary, glabellar, periorbital, or frontal regions of the skull and worse in the morning. Those with migraine, on the other hand, usually describe the pain as throbbing or stabbing, mostly unilateral, moderate to severe in intensity, located in the temporal or retro-orbital area, and not worse during a particular time of day .
How To Find Relief When You Have An Allergy Headache
If you have an allergist in place already, it doesnt hurt to see them to make sure your medication is working for you.
Flonase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray
Flonase Allergy Relief Nasal Spray
In general, Dr. Kleva says theyll recommend that you use a nasal spray like Flonase, Rhinocort, or Nasacort to help keep things under control. However, she points out, these drugs take time to work and wont clear up your headache right away.
For quick relief, Dr. Kleva recommends reaching for an OTC antihistamine with a decongestant like Allegra-D, which you can pick up at most drugstores. These shouldnt be used longterm, though, she says.
Its also a good idea to avoid your triggers as best you can, Dr. Wright says .
And if youre still struggling, see your doctor. They can make recommendations based on your individual needs to help clear up your allergy headaches once and for all.
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Allergic Rhinitis And Headaches
Many people do not realise that headaches can be caused by allergic rhinitis but unfortunately it is an uncomfortable and all too common symptom of the condition. Headaches that arise as a result of allergic rhinitis do so for a variety of reasons so, to help make it clearer to you what those reasons are, here our allergy advisor Louise Baillie focuses on the issue in detail.
Louise BaillieAsk Louise
The Connection Between Seasonal Allergies And Headaches
Seasonal allergies can cause so many symptoms. Some of us deal with stuffy noses, while others struggle with hives or itchy eyes. However, there are allergy symptoms that some people do not even know about. For instance, did you know allergies can cause headaches? This can be a big struggle during allergy season. Below, we will explain the connection between seasonal allergies and headaches.
Types of Allergies
There are different kinds of allergies. Allergic rhinitis and food allergies are the most common types. Food allergies do not usually lead to headaches. But food intolerances sometimes do. However, headaches are a common side effect of seasonal allergies.
How Do Allergies Cause Headaches?
Seasonal allergies can cause congestion in the nose and sinuses. This pressure can often lead to sinus headaches. Allergy headaches often come with nasal congestion, sneezing, or other sinus symptoms. Sinus headaches usually affect the forehead, cheeks, and the temple area. If your headaches occur elsewhere, then they might be caused by something else.
Other Common Headache Causes
Relief For Seasonal Allergies and Headaches
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You May Need Specialists To Treat Your Migraine And Allergies
Its important to be aware that migraine and allergies are commonly present in the same person and both issues need to be addressed, says Hamilton.
It might take potentially seeing different doctors both an allergist and a neurologist and trying different medications for both conditions. In some cases, you may not get complete relief until you address both issues, she says.
How To Tell If Allergic Rhinitis Is Causing Your Headache
Headaches can be caused by a variety of things so if youre worried, its best to visit your doctor for their opinion. However, here are a few signs that allergic rhinitis may be at the root of the problem.
Frequency regular headaches may indicate that allergic rhinitis is the problem.
Other symptoms allergic rhinitis has a variety of symptoms such as watery eyes and sneezing so this, alongside headaches, suggests allergic rhinitis is the issue.
When it occurs pollen is the biggest cause of allergic rhinitis so if your symptoms get worse between spring and summer when plants are beginning to pollinate, allergic rhinitis may be the issue.
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Migraine And Sinus Headache Have Overlapping Symptoms
Part of the reason for confusion is because oftentimes, migraine-related headaches mimic what people typically think of as sinus headaches, she explains. You can have pain over the sinuses and over the face with both types of headache. With migraine, there can also be symptoms that are similar to allergy symptoms, like a stuffy or runny nose and eye tearing, and that overlap can be why patients are misdiagnosed, says Hamilton.
However, there are some key symptoms of migraine that you wont find in other types of headaches, which can include nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and sound sensitivity, according to the American Migraine Foundation.
Some people with migraine have a visual aura that includes bright spots, lights, or colors prior to the onset of an attack, which wouldnt happen in a tension-type or sinus headache.
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How Can You Prevent Migraines If You Have Allergies Too
Both allergies and migraines may be associated with exposure to external and internal triggers. Identify what causes your allergies as well as your migraines and avoid them if possible.
Recording instances where you may be exposed to possible triggers could help you determine the cause of migraines and allergies.
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Everything To Know About The Connection Between Headaches And Allergies
Youre familiar with some of the more common allergy symptoms. You cant stop sneezing, your eyes are relentlessly itchy, and you cant go anywhere without tissues handy.
But the fun doesnt stop there: You might notice that your forehead or even the top of your head feels like its full of concreteand its even worse when you bend over to pick something up. Your cheeks are sort of tender and even your teeth have a dull pain radiating through them.
Whats going on? Can allergies cause headaches? How can you tell if thats actually what youre dealing with? And, most importantly, how can you feel better? Heres what you need to know.
How Do You Know The Difference Between A Migraine Headache And A Sinus Headache
Since there is some overlap between migraine symptoms and allergy symptoms, it can be tough to get a diagnosis and find the right treatment.
Dr. Crystal points out, âBoth can present similar symptomsâpain over the forehead and maxillary area , and autonomic symptoms, such as eye tearing and nasal congestion.â
If you have watery eyes, a stuffy nose, and a bad headache, it might be easy to assume that youâre dealing with allergies and a sinus headacheâbut it could actually be a migraine attack.
Itâs common to mistake the headache that comes along with your allergies as a sinus headache, Dr. Crystal says.
One study found that the majority of patients who had self-diagnosed with sinus headaches actually had migraine. In another study, 88% of patients who thought they had sinus headaches were dealing with migraine.
That said, sinus headaches are actually rare, and there are some obvious differences between sinus headaches and migraine.
Sinus headaches bring on distinctive symptoms youâre unlikely to get with allergies or migraine, such as bad breath, fever, or discolored nasal discharge. They also tend to be caused by an infection, not something that crops up every time your allergies flare.
In addition, migraine headache pain is usually âunilateral and throbbing,â whereas a headache due simply to allergic rhinitis might be âdull and pressure-like,â says Dr. Crystal.
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What About Conventional Medicines
It can often be difficult to find an effective treatment for headaches, as it is an individual condition, and often what works for one person will not work for another.
Doctors or pharmacists may suggest painkillers to ease your headache, and while this may help in the short-term, it is not really tackling the root of the problem. Anti-histamines may also be effective, although can be associated with side-effects such as drowsiness, and can often only be taken on a short-term basis.
If your headache persists, or you are concerned about your condition, it is worth speaking to your doctor.
What Is An Allergy Headache
If youve ever suffered from headaches, youve probably seen that they dont all feel the same. Believe it or not, there are over 150 different types of headaches.
With that said, two types of headaches are typically linked to allergies: migraines and sinus headaches. Migraines usually feel like throbbing pain on one side of the head. These hurt so much that some people experience nausea, vomiting, and increased sensitivity to light when they arise.
On the other hand, sinus headaches are a more dull pain over the sinuses. The pain might feel like a nagging pain in your cheeks, forehead, or on the bridge of your nose.
Sometimes, people wrongfully mistake cluster headaches for allergy headaches though there is no known correlation. Cluster headaches are the most severe type of headache, and they usually feel like an intense throbbing pain behind the eye.
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