How to Manage an Allergy Headache

September 25, 2024

Bugged by consistent headaches? If they come on seasonally or occur with other allergy symptoms, it might be an allergy-related headache. This blog explains why allergies can cause headaches, and how to avoid them.

What causes an allergy headache

To be able to treat an allergy headache, you first must know what causes it. When an offending environmental allergen is inhaled, the body can respond with histamine to fight against the “harmful” substance. This leads to drainage and inflammation in the sinus cavities.

There are four different sinus cavities in the head:

  • Behind the eyes
  • Inside the cheekbones
  • Behind the nose
  • Behind the forehead

Sinuses typically drain through the nose, but when it’s blocked, fluid can build in these sinus cavities and cause pressure and pain. That’s when the allergy headache is triggered.

An allergy test (blood or skin) can be used with an exam and history to determine which allergens are causing the inflammation and sinus drainage that lead to the headaches.

What can help allergy headaches

There are a lot of options for treating allergy headaches and reducing their frequency.

When a headache hits:

  • Ice the affected area
  • Use sinus rinses to flush out congestion and allergens

To reduce frequency:

  • Take antihistamines regularly
  • Stay indoors during peak pollen hours

To treat the cause:

  • Get allergy testing
  • Start immunotherapy, the only way to permanently stop the allergy cycle

 

Allergychoices advocates for sublingual immunotherapy – also known as allergy drops – following The La Crosse Method™ Protocol. After exam, history, and allergy testing, allergy drops are personalized to each patient with tiny doses of their problem allergens. Over the course of treatment, the doses are slowly made stronger, and the body learns to identify the allergens as not harmful.

After successful treatment, studies show that patients can reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms (like itching, sneezing, etc.) and also reduce or stop allergy-related conditions, including allergy headaches, eczema, sinusitis, and more.

Sound like it could help you?

Find a provider that offers testing and treatment for allergies to get started.

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