Is Headache An Allergy Symptom

How Do I Get Rid Of A Sinus Headache

To get rid of a sinus headache, you have to treat the underlying cause. But you can take steps to ease sinus pressure and pain at home:

• Apply a warm compress to painful areas of the face.
• Use a decongestant to reduce sinus swelling and allow mucus to drain.
• Try a saline nasal spray or drops to thin mucus.
• Use a vaporizer or inhale steam from a pan of boiled water. Warm, moist air may help relieve sinus congestion.

Sinus infection

Viruses, bacteria and sometimes fungi cause sinus infections. Viral infections often go away on their own. But if your infection is bacterial or fungal, you need antibiotics or antifungal medications. Your healthcare provider may also recommend other medications to ease discomfort, such as:

• Antihistamines to prevent allergy symptoms.
• Pain relievers to ease headache pain.
• Steroids to reduce inflammation.

Migraines with sinus symptoms

Sinus headaches that are actually migraines need a different type of treatment. The first step is to relieve your pain. You should know that frequently using over-the-counter medications when you have a headache can cause even more headaches .

Your provider may recommend prescription medication for migraine pain. You may also need a preventive medication that helps you have fewer migraine attacks.

Even If You Have Allergies Frequent Headaches May Indicate Migraine

Hamilton suggests talking with your primary care doctor if youre having frequent headaches with allergy symptoms. That might mean that your allergies are actually triggering migraines or contributing, she says.

In that situation it might be useful to try migraine medications both as-needed, or abortive, medications and potentially preventive medications, she adds.

If it is a migraine, treating the attack with typically wont be as effective as a targeted migraine treatment, says Strauss.

A good rule of thumb is that if youre not getting complete relief of your headaches from over-the-counter medications, or if the headaches are becoming more frequent or frequent enough that you’re having to take an over-the-counter medication several times a week, you should definitely seek a doctors care, says Hamilton.

Allergy Headache: How Allergies Can Cause Headaches

More than 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies, with many people experiencing seasonal or perennial allergies.

When exposed to a particular allergen , people with allergies can experience symptoms that range from mildly irritating to debilitating.

Allergy symptoms overlap with many other medical conditions, including upper respiratory infections such as the common cold and sinusitis, so it can be hard to know exactly which symptoms correspond to which conditions.

You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Allergies To Animals

Migraines As A Symptom Of Allergies

A migraine is a severe, throbbing headache thats often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Allergies are a known migraine trigger.

A 2014 study found that migraines are more common in people who have seasonal allergies, and that seasonal allergies can lead to more frequent migraines. There are a few theories about the connection between allergies and migraines.

During the allergic response, your immune system creates inflammation in your body, which may result in a migraine. Allergies can also disrupt sleepif youre itchy or stuffy at night, it can be hard to get good rest. This allergy-induced sleep deprivation may also result in a migraine.

How To Treat An Allergy Migraine

When you have an allergy migraine, youll want to treat both the migraine and the underlying allergies. Over-the-counter antihistamines can help reduce allergy symptoms, Dr. Cooper says, and in some cases can lower headache frequency when used appropriately.

As for treating migraines, talk to your doctor about the right migraine medication for you, as there are a variety of options, including over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen, migraine-specific medications like triptans and ergots, and preventative medications such as antihypertensives, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants, according to the American Migraine Foundation.

The good news is you dont have to choose whether to treat the allergies or the migraineyou can target both. Most OTC medications for allergies and headache are safe to take together when used appropriately, Dr. Cooper adds. If you have headaches more than four days per month, however, talk to your doctor, he advises. Frequently taking OTC meds like ibuprofen for headache relief can result in medication overuse headaches, which are headaches triggered by medication itself.

Find out if your allergy medications are workingor not.

Read Also: Can Allergies Cause Pus Pockets On Tonsils

How Do Allergies Cause Migraine Headaches

The link is complex. Doctors are still trying to figure it out. So far, they know that your nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system all play a role.

If you get migraines, you have a sensitive nervous system. Your body tends to react very quickly, or overreact, to changes in your environment that it views as threats.

On top of that, exposure to allergens triggers your immune system to release certain chemicals. They can fuel inflammation throughout your body, all of which can set you up for a migraine.

If youâre prone to migraine headaches, your symptoms may be more severe during allergy season. Some people can also have ânonallergicâ triggers like perfume, the smell of gasoline, cigarette smoke, and weather changes.

Treat The Allergies Themselves

If the allergies are causing your headaches, eliminating them is the perfect place to start. Plus, squashing your allergies can reduce some of those other inundating symptoms like runny nose, coughing, itchy eyes, and sore throat, too.

There are plenty of different ways to treat allergies. One method is with antihistamine medications like fexofenadine or cetirizine. Histamines are a chemical that your body produces when exposed to an allergen, and this chemical spurs the cascade of symptoms you know and hate.

As their name implies, antihistamines block the effects of histamines to lessen your symptoms and improve your overall comfort.

Oral antihistamines are common all-around remedies, but you can also use nasal sprays to combat sinus symptoms. This method might be beneficial if you have a sinus headache related to your allergies.

With that said, antihistamines dont truly treat allergies they just alleviate the symptoms. Allergy immunotherapy is your go-to method to take it a step further and pinpoint the underlying cause.

Sublingual immunotherapy, or SLIT, gradually exposes you to small amounts of an allergen over an extended period. This method allows your immune system to build up a tolerance so that the given allergen is no match for you. All you need to do is place a tablet under your tongue every day during your treatment. There are no needles and no pain but theres still a lot to gain!

Don’t Miss: Can Allergies Cause Low Fever

Which Allergies Cause Headaches

Here are some of the common allergies that can lead to headaches:

• Allergic rhinitis . If you have a headache along with seasonal and indoor nasal allergies, its more likely due to a migraine headache rather than allergies. But pain related to hay fever or other allergic reactions may cause headaches due to sinus disease. A true sinus headache is actually quite rare.
• Food allergies. There can be a relationship between food and headaches. For example, foods like aged cheese, artificial sweeteners, and chocolate can trigger a migraine in some people. Experts believe its the chemical properties of certain foods that trigger the pain, as opposed to a true food allergy.
• Histamine. The body produces histamines in response to an allergic reaction. Among other things, histamines decrease blood pressure . This can result in headache.

Treat an allergy headache the same way that youd deal with any other headache. If allergies are the source of the headache, there are ways to address the root cause.

Youre Sensitive To Light And Sound

Allergies are linked to both migraines and sinus headaches, according to the ACAAI, but there are certain symptoms that can help identify a migraine. A regular sinus headache should never be severe, cause you to feel nauseated, or make you sensitive to light or sound, Dr. Cooper says. These are classic symptoms unique to migraines, not sinus headaches.

Read Also: Are Allergies A Sign Of A Strong Immune System

How A Headache Diary Can Help

To figure out if your allergies are a trigger for migraines, you can keep a headache diary.

Dr. Elliot suggests maintaining a headache diary for two weeks, recording your activities and diet as well as any headaches, facial pain or pressure, congestion, itchy eyes, and/or runny nose. She also advises completing the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test at least three times per week. But this isnt something you need to figure out all on your own. Meet with an allergist to review your diary and they will help you draw conclusions, she says.

Tetra Images/Getty Images

What Causes An Allergy Headache

Your sinus cavities are a hollow space inside of your skull. It has openings in the nose to drain mucus and allow airflow. These cavities extend inside of the cheeks, behind the eyes, and behind the nose into the forehead.

When your body encounters an allergen, it can cause swelling within the nasal cavities. This swelling can block those openings and increase the pressure inside your sinuses. That build-up is what causes the sensation of an allergy headache.

Allergy headaches are usually more intense in the morning after a long period of lying down because your blood pressure changes when you lie down, causing blood to pool near your sinuses. However, you can sometimes feel some relief once you stand up or move into an upright position.

You May Like: Can Coughing Be A Sign Of Allergies

Is It A Migraine Or An Allergy Migraine

Theres a little confusion here, and thats understandable. First, migraines can cause watery eyes, stuffiness, and facial fullness, Dr. Cooper says, symptoms that often lead people to assume they have allergies.

That said, if you have known allergies and also experience migraines, the two might be related, Dr. Cooper adds, because allergy and migraine use some of the same pathways to cause symptoms in your body.

When To See Your Doctor

Although many allergies can be controlled with judicial use of OTC medications, its always wise to consult with your doctor. If allergies are negatively impacting your quality of life or interfering with your daily activities, its in your best interests to explore treatment options with your doctor.

Your doctor might recommend that you see an allergist. This is a physician specializing in diagnosing and treating allergic conditions, such as asthma and eczema. An allergist might offer you a number of suggestions for treatment, including:

Don’t Miss: Can You Take Allergy Medicine With Tylenol

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.

How To Tell If Youre Experiencing A Migraine Or Allergies

Its common for people with allergies to experience sinus headaches. Unfortunately, its also the case that people with allergies are more likely to get migraine headaches. Telling the difference between the two is key to getting the proper treatment. We review the similarities and differences below and provide an overview of treatment options.

Recommended Reading: Can Green Mucus Be Caused By Allergies

Differences Between Allergies & Migraines

The differences between allergies and migraines have to do with other symptoms that accompany the headache as well as what systems are responsible for your symptoms.

If your headache is the result of allergies, youll likely experience other symptoms such as:

• Itchy, watery eyes

If your headache is a migraine, you may also experience:

• Sensitivity to light and sound
• An aura of unusual sensations, like flashing lights or sounds
• Changes to your thoughts or mood

Its also possible for you to experience both allergies and a migraine at the same time, which would result in symptoms from both lists.

Why Allergies Trigger Migraines

When you have allergies, your body releases inflammatory molecules called histamines, which circulate in your blood, setting off symptoms like sneezing and watery eyes. These molecules come from cells responsible for controlling the immune response, called mast cells. Mast cells are found throughout the bodyand they also line the surface of the brain, explains Wade Cooper, doctor of osteopathic medicine and director of the Headache and Neuropathic Pain Program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. When they become active, they release inflammatory signals, such as histamines and CGRP that are known to activate migraine.

Whos at risk? If you have environmental or food allergies, odds are greater that youll have these types of migraines compared with people who dont, Dr. Cooper says.

Read Also: How To Get Rid Of Sore Throat From Allergies

Are Allergies Triggering Your Migraine Attacks

While allergies can trigger migraine attacks, its also possible that you just have both conditions simultaneously.

Adobe Stock

For some people with allergies, symptoms like sneezing, sinus congestion, and watery eyes can also come with a headache. Many people who experience head pain with their allergies wrongly assume its just another symptom of allergies, or a sinus headache, according to Lauren Doyle Strauss, DO, a headache specialist and an assistant professor at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

I see people with allergies who think they have sinus headaches when in reality, many of them meet the criteria for migraine, says Dr. Strauss.

If youre living with both conditions, the one-two punch of allergies and migraine can keep you indoors and away from friends and activities for weeks or even months, depending on the season. Find out how allergies may be triggering or worsening migraine and what the experts advise about seeking diagnosis and treatment.

RELATED: Is It a Migraine Attack or a Sinus Headache?

How Do Allergies Cause Migraines

So how, exactly, can these allergies cause migraines? There are several mechanisms that we suspect explain why people with these allergies may also get migraines:

• Inflammation. This results in the activation of cells close to the brain’s outer layer and trigeminal nerve, causing pain.

• Nasal congestion, which irritates the trigeminal nerve in the nose. Taking decongestants to treat this symptom of allergic rhinitis can thus reduce the risk of migraine.

• Sleep disturbances. Having allergy symptoms makes it harder to sleep, aggravating migraine symptoms.

• Parasympathetic nerve activation. Allergy and asthma flare-ups cause dysregulation of the body’s digestion response, resulting in dehydration, hunger, and fatigue, which can all cause migraines in some people.

Don’t Miss: Can You Give Cats Allergy Medication

Get Allergy Headache Treatment Online

Whether you are experiencing sinus headaches or migraines, you can get allergy headache treatment online.

Through a video or phone appointment, the trusted doctors at PlushCare can diagnose which type of allergy headache youâre experiencing and recommend or prescribe medications to help relieve your symptoms. When appropriate, the doctor can electronically send a prescription to your local pharmacy.

Ready to tackle your allergy headaches? Book an appointment at PlushCare now!

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 .

You May Like: Do Allergies Cause Mucus Cough

The Connection Between Allergies And Headaches

Seasonal allergiesalso called allergic rhinitis or hay fevercan cause itchy eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, or a cough. In some people, allergies can also cause headaches. There are several effective treatments, from home remedies to over-the-counter and prescription medications, that can keep your allergy symptoms at bay, including headache.

If youre suffering from allergy symptoms or a headache of any kind, talk with your healthcare provider to determine possible causes and treatment. In this article, Ill outline some allergy symptoms, including sinus headaches and migraines as symptoms of allergies.

Ill also explore causes of allergies, and how to know if your headache is linked to allergies. Finally, Ill cover how to treat allergy headaches, and other common causes of headaches.