In this article, we will learn about the Causes of Allergy Headache. We will try our best to discuss and understand the Causes of Allergy Headache in detail. Whether there is such a thing varies among doctors.
According to the US National Library of Medicine, one of the most prevalent kinds of discomfort is headaches. They are so frequent that they frequently cause people to miss work or school. However, while inevitable headaches, such as cluster headaches. And tension headaches might happen on their own without a known cause. Other headaches may connect to external factors, such as allergies.
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The sinuses are one of the many locations where allergy symptoms can be brought on, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). According to the AAAAI, your sinuses are the areas surrounding your eyes. And a nose that can become clogged, irritated, or swollen. As a result, someone may get rhinosinusitis, which has headaches among its symptoms.
According to the AAAAI, medical experts use the following factors to determine whether a patient has rhinosinusitis headaches:
- Frontal headaches that affect your face, ears, or teeth and are accompanied by signs of rhinosinusitis
- Having headaches while experiencing rhinosinusitis symptoms
- Within a week, headaches or face discomfort that was present before clearing up after therapy for rhinosinusitis symptoms
Discussion about Causes of Allergy Headaches
The ACAAI claims that allergens are related to two main forms of headaches. Sinus headaches are the first, which often feel like pressure and discomfort in the face. The second form is migraine, which can bring moderate to severe throbbing headaches along with accompanying symptoms including nausea. These headaches frequently bring on nasal or sinus congestion, stress, certain meals, or smoking.
But before you decisively begin attributing your headaches to allergy season, it’s critical to understand that the medical profession disagrees over the exact cause of allergy headaches in general. According to Cleveland Clinic allergist Ronald Purcell, MD, “a real allergy headache is probably quite unusual.” Additionally, according to the AAAAI, rhinosinusitis can induce headaches, although “it is debatable whether persistent nasal obstruction brought on by allergic inflammation can produce chronic headaches.”
That’s because some medical professionals think that what individuals mistakenly refer to as allergy headaches may another kind of headache, such as a migraine or tension headache, which unrelate to a person’s allergies. In reality, according to a study, 88–90% of patients’ sinus headaches are migraines, according to a May 2019 publication in Neuroimaging Clinics.
Discussion of NHF on Allergy Headaches
The National Headache Foundation (NHF) also discusses the contentious link between allergies and headaches, noting that, despite the common misconception that sensitivities to particular foods cause migraines, that is frequently not the case (they note the difference between headache-triggering chemicals, which are bodily reactions but not allergic reactions). The NHF notes that people who encounter these problems should check with a medical practitioner for a correct diagnosis. Respiratory conditions or seasonal allergies can contribute to or induce sinus headaches (and in certain cases, migraines).
Whatever the debate, the agony is genuine whether you have an allergy headache or a headache that is caused by allergens. According to Dr. Purcell, the sensation of pressure on the face is the one that individuals most frequently report. Sinuses, the hollow air spaces behind the eyes, cheeks, forehead, and nose, are often the source of that discomfort (though Dr. Purcell notes that sinus pain may also due to a sinus infection rather than allergies).
Pain Management
There are methods to get relief if you happen to be one of the people who experience headaches from allergies. Although not everyone who has allergies will. Simple allergy-related headache relief involves treating the allergens to get rid of the headache or face discomfort.
In addition to allergy injections, allergies can be treated using over-the-counter or prescription drugs. A steaming shower, over-the-counter drugs, or other home treatments may also help if headaches and allergies are present. However, there is no particular therapy for allergy headaches other than treating your allergies and headaches.
The ACAAI also advises staying as far away from headaches or allergy triggers as you can. That includes, among other things, avoiding fans that can bring outside air into your home. Wearing sunglasses to reduce allergen exposure to your eyes, and washing your hands after petting any animals to which you are allergic. And maintaining low humidity levels in your home to reduce mold exposure.
The AAAAI advises that it’s critical to get the correct diagnosis for the headache, particularly if you believe that your sinuses are to blame for your headaches.
And if you still get headaches even after controlling your allergies, something else may be to blame, according to Dr. Purcell. Remember: There are many different forms of headaches, so if the pain continues. Don’t wait to consult a headache expert to find relief and ensure no more testing is required.
Finally, In this article, we learned about the Causes of Allergy Headache. We tried our best to discuss and understand the Causes of Allergy Headache in detail. Whether there is such a thing varies among doctors.