Could your headaches be allergies in disguise? You’ve tried everything – pain relievers, rest, even changing your diet. But the headaches keep coming back, especially during certain times of the year. You might be overlooking a common culprit: allergies. Many people mistake allergy headaches for other types of headaches, delaying proper treatment. Let’s uncover the link and get you on the path to feeling better.
Headaches and allergies: What’s the connection?
When allergies flare up, your body goes into defense mode, releasing histamine. Your sinuses and nasal passages swell and become inflamed as they react to the histamine. This swelling causes the pressure build-up that results in an allergy headache. Essentially, your sinus cavities become inflamed and blocked. The bottom line: inflammation from allergies can make your head pound and your sinuses ache.
Recognizing allergy headache symptoms
Allergy headaches often come with a telltale pressure in the head, typically accompanied by other allergy signs, like sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and itchy eyes. A sinus headache usually appears around the areas of your blocked sinuses.
It’s possible to have sinus pressure without full-blown congestion. Here’s a quick guide to where sinus pressure commonly forms:
- Forehead (above the eyebrows): Frontal Sinuses
- Either side of the nose bridge: Ethmoid Sinuses
- Behind each cheekbone: Maxillary Sinuses
- Behind the eyes, towards the top back of the head: Sphenoid Sinuses
Other possible indicators of an allergy headache include:
- Feeling of fullness in the face
- Facial tenderness
- Sensitivity to movement or bending
- Increased seasonal nasal symptoms or sinus pain
Do you frequently experience these symptoms? Schedule an appointment with us to discuss your allergy headache relief options.
Distinguishing between allergy headaches and migraines
It’s easy to confuse allergy headaches with migraines, as they share some similarities. However, there are key differences:
- Allergy headaches: Result from swelling in your sinus cavities, causing pressure and pain.
- Migraines: Involve throbbing pain, often on one side of the head, and can bring on nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Dig deeper with our previous post, Do allergies cause migraines?
Unsure what type of headache you’re experiencing? Contact our office for expert diagnosis and allergy headache relief strategies.
Stop allergy headaches from ruining your day
When you need relief from an allergy headache, there are options. Consider simple home remedies, medication, or long-term solutions.
Home remedies
Sometimes, the simplest approaches can provide surprising relief:
- Warm compress: Apply a warm compress over your forehead and nose to soothe sinus pressure and inflammation.
- Warm showers: The steam from a warm shower can help clear your nasal passages.
- Hydration: Increasing your water intake thins mucus secretions, making them easier to drain.
- Humidifier: A humidifier adds moisture to the air, soothing irritated sinus passages.
- Rest: Proper rest allows your body to combat inflammation and recover.
- Track your headaches: Keep a headache diary, noting triggers like strong smells or other environmental factors that might contribute.
Over-the-counter medications
Over-the-counter medications can help ease allergy headache symptoms:
- Antihistamines: Antihistamines like BENADRYL® target the histamine response, reducing inflammation and congestion.
- Decongestants: Help shrink swollen nasal passages, improving drainage. One of the most common decongestants is SUDAFED®.
- Combination medications: Some medications combine antihistamines and decongestants. Examples include Zyrtec-D®, Claritin-D®, Allegra-D® and Sudafed Plus®. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to be sure these are right for you.
- Pain relievers: Ibuprofen (Advil® and Motrin®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®) can temporarily reduce headache pain, but they don’t address the underlying allergic reaction.
Longer-term strategies for allergy headache relief
When headaches persist despite trying various treatments, it’s time to explore longer-term solutions:
- Prescription medications: Stronger allergy medications—like different nasal sprays or pills—fight inflammation and may provide you relief.
- Immunotherapy (allergy shots or sublingual immunotherapy): For severe allergies, immunotherapy gradually exposes you to allergens to desensitize your immune system over time. Both options are available at Minnesota ENT.
- Sinus surgery: In some cases, sinus surgery may be recommended if structural sinus issues contribute to chronic headaches. Our board-certified ENTs specialize in sinus surgeries and can discuss if surgery may be right for you.
Check out a previous post in which Minnesota ENT doctor Brad Johnson, DO, answers questions about sinus and nasal surgery.
Want to learn more about long-term allergy headache management? Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific needs and develop a plan for allergy headache relief.
Call on Minnesota ENT
Effective allergy headache relief goes beyond just managing the immediate pain. Yes, simple steps like warm compresses, staying hydrated, and using a humidifier can make a difference in the short term. For ongoing or chronic headaches, see a Minnesota ENT doctor to discuss if prescription medication and immunotherapy may offer you the relief you want.
Call Minnesota ENT at 763-233-5755 to make an appointment in Golden Valley, Maple Grove or Robbinsdale.