What to do if you have an allergic headache? (2023)

An allergic headache occurs whenAllergiesymptometrigger aHeadache. Headaches can be directly triggered by pain in the sinusessinus headache. It can also be triggered indirectly by a nervous system response to the allergy leading to amigraine.

Not everyone who has itallergiesYou will feel a headache. There is currently no universally accepted definition of what constitutes an allergic headache.

If your headaches are frequent, persistent, or severe, it's important to see your doctor. They can help you identify the cause so you can get the right treatment.

This article examines common symptoms and triggers of allergic headaches, as well as treatment options that may provide relief.

Symptoms of an allergic headache

An allergic headache is a general term that describes any headache that results from an allergy. Pain can be directly caused by allergy symptoms, or allergy symptoms can trigger pain in people with chronic migraines. It can be difficult to distinguish one from the other.

Headache in the sinuses

Sinus headaches are pain in the sinusessine range, including the cheeks and forehead. These headaches usually occur as a resultallergic rhinitis, also called hay fever. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is most commonly caused by tree or grass pollen. This pollen is carried in the air at different times of the year.

Under normal circumstances, the sinuses are open cavities that allow air to be inhaled and mucus to be drained. In allergic rhinitis, the overreaction of the immune system leads to swelling of the mucous membranes. this leads toSinusitis(sinus infection) and build-up of pain and pressure in the sinuses.

Symptoms of a sinus headache can range from mild to severe and usually include:

• Pain, pressure and fullness between the eyes and/or behind the cheeks or forehead
• A feeling of pain in the upper teeth or jaw
• The pain worsens when you lie down or bend over
• Stuffy nose and difficulty breathing
• fatigue
  

migraine

Sometimes allergic headaches may have little to do with a sinus infection. Rather, the pain can be caused by a number of known environmental factorsmigraine.

Migraines are more than just “very bad headaches”. It is a recurring and sometimes debilitating neurological condition that can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

• A vision disorder calledAurawhich manifests itself in bright lights, flashing lights, or shapes
• A throbbing, throbbing pain, usually on one side of the head
• Extreme sensitivity to light, sound, or smell
• nausea and vomiting
  

What Causes Allergic Headaches?

The cause of allergic headaches can be different depending on whether it is allergic rhinitis or migraine. Because causes can overlap, it can take time to diagnose the underlying condition.

Headache in the sinuses

Sinus headaches caused by allergic rhinitis are the result of an overreaction of the immune system. This causes overreactioninflammationin the sinuses and nasal passages, as well as in the eyes, throat, and sometimes the lungs.

Allergies are ultimately the result of an inappropriate immune response to a harmless substance calledAllergen. When this happens, the immune system releases a substance called asHistaminewhich causes inflammation in different parts of the body.

When an allergen, such as pollen, enters the airways, allergic rhinitis can occur.

Allergens commonly associated with allergic rhinitis include:

• Baumpollen
• grass pollen
• Mofo
• animal hair
• mites
• tobacco smoke

The underlying cause of allergic rhinitis is unknown, but genetics are believed to play a role.

In addition, babies who conceiveeczemaa phenomenon known as can occuratopic MarchThis can lead to a cascade of allergy-related disorders, includingfood allergies,asmaand allergic rhinitis.

migraine

The underlying causes of migraines are unknown. However, they are thought to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. This is partially supported by studies where 30-60% of twins or first-degree relatives suffer from migraines.

Other possible triggers for migraine headaches include:

• Food allergies or intolerances
• tobacco smoke
• strong smells
• fatigue
• Emphasize
• Fome
• Alcohol
• climate change
• Hormonal changes, including menstruation

How to treat an allergic headache

Treatment for allergic headaches differs depending on whether the underlying cause is allergic rhinitis or migraines.

Headache in the sinuses

Sinus headaches are treated by reducing the effects of histamine while controlling pain and congestion. Treatment options include:

• over-the-counter pain relievers: These include Tylenol (acetaminophen) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such asAdvil (Ibuprofen)oder Aleve (Naproxen).
• oral Antihistamines: This includes non-drowsy formulations such as Claritin (loratadine) and older formulations such asBenadryl (Difenidramina)That can help you sleep comfortably at night.
• Antihistamine nasal sprays: These nasal sprays act locally and counteract the effects of histamine in the nose.
• oral decongestants: These include pseudoephedrine, a drug that can reduce swelling in blood vessels throughout the body, including blood vessels in the nose.
• decongestant nasal sprays: They work by directly reducing the swollen blood vessels in the nose.
  
• steroid nasal sprays: These reduce inflammatory substances in the nasal passages. Although they are effective, they can take several days to show their effects.
• nasal rinse: This involves manual rinsing of the nasal passages with a saline solution or purified water (using a balloon syringe, spray bottle, or similar).Net pitcher).
  

migraine

Migraines are often not treated in the same way as sinus headaches, so it's important to differentiate between the two before treating them.

Treatment options for migraines include:

• over-the-counter pain relievers: The same medications used to treat sinus headaches may be appropriate for mild to moderate migraines.
• Triptanos: are a class of drugs used in the first-line treatment of moderate to severe migraines. These include Axert (almotriptan), Relpax (eletriptan), and Frova (frovatriptan).
• Antiemetics with dopamine agonists: These second-line medications used to treat migraines and accompanying nausea include Haldol (haloperidol) and Reglan (metoclopramide).
• Dihydroergotamine (DHE): This is an injectable or nasal medication that is commonly used when migraines do not respond to other drug treatments.
• Corticosteroids: These anti-inflammatory drugs are given by injection to reduce the severity and recurrence of migraines in emergency situations.dexamethasoneis one of the most common options.

Are there tests to diagnose the cause of allergic headaches?

If you suffer from allergic headaches, your doctor will first want to determine whether allergic rhinitis or migraines are the cause of the problem.

Headache in the sinuses

The diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is made based on a review of your symptoms and medical history. If your symptoms are severe, you may be referred to a specialistallergistWho can run tests to identify the different allergens you react to?

Allergy tests include:

• skin tests: This is the main form of testing, in which small amounts of common allergens such as pollen or animal dander are placed under the skin to see if a reaction occurs.
• Allergen-specific IgE testing: These are blood tests that look for so-called immune proteinsantibody, which are produced by the immune system in response to certain allergens.

migraine

There are no specific tests to diagnose migraines. Migraines are diagnosed based on a pattern of recurring headaches with accompanying symptoms such as auras and nausea or vomiting. The process usually takes some time, also to rule out all other possible causes.

For an accurate diagnosis, you may be referred to a specialist called...neurologistWho can run tests to rule out other causes? This may involve iterating through aComputed tomography (CT)scan orMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI)brain scan

When should a doctor be consulted?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away. These could be signs of a more serious health condition:

• An unbearable headache
• Nausea and vomiting accompany your headache
• loss of consciousness or vision

If you experience headaches frequently or they don't go away, see your doctor as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns about medications you use to treat headaches, please discuss them at your consultation. Your doctor can give you additional information and instructions on how to safely treat your headache.

Summary

Sometimes allergies can cause headaches. This can be due to the build-up of pressure in the sinuses caused by allergic rhinitis (hay fever) or it can occur when an environmental trigger, such as an allergy, triggers a migraine.

It's important to distinguish between sinus headaches and migraine headaches because the treatment for each is different. Sinus headaches usually cause pain behind the eyes, accompanied by nasal congestion. Migraines usually cause throbbing pain on one side of the head, often accompanied by nausea or vomiting.

If you haven't found relief for chronic, recurring, or seasonal headaches, talk to your doctor. They can help you determine if an allergist or neurologist is the specialist you need. Sometimes it takes both.