Why Do Spring Allergies Cause Headaches?
For many people, the arrival of spring is a welcome relief from the cold and darkness of winter. However, for those who suffer from spring allergies, it can be a time of discomfort and pain. In addition to the classic symptoms of itchy, watery eyes and a stuffy nose, spring allergies can also cause headaches. But why does this happen?
According to Dr. Beth Oller, a family medicine physician in Stockton, Kansas, the immune system’s response to pollen is the culprit behind allergy headaches. When you breathe in pollen, your immune system perceives it as a foreign invader and releases inflammatory chemicals like histamine. This leads to swelling in the nasal cavities, which are connected to the sinuses, causing facial pressure and headache.
How to Tell If Your Headache Is Allergy-Related
So, how can you determine if your headache is caused by allergies? Dr. Oller suggests looking for these symptoms: a dull, throbbing pain in the temples, cheeks, or forehead, accompanied by congestion. Lying down or tilting your head can increase the pressure. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s likely an allergy headache.
On the other hand, migraines, whether triggered by allergies or not, tend to cause intense pain on one side of the head, accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Tension headaches feel like a band squeezing around the head, while cluster headaches cause a surge of pain in or around one eye.
What to Do If Spring Allergies Leave You with Constant Headaches
So, what can you do to alleviate allergy headaches? Dr. Oller recommends starting on an oral antihistamine medication right away, as pollen counts are rising. Non-drowsy options like cetirizine (Zyrtec), levocetirizine (Xyzal), loratadine (Claritin), or fexofenadine (Allegra) work best for daytime. You can use sleepiness-inducing diphenhydramine (Benadryl) at night, but be aware that it’s not a good idea to rely on it as a sleep aid.
Both doctors suggest pairing oral allergy meds with a nasal corticosteroid spray like fluticasone (Flonase) or triamcinolone (Nasocort). These sprays help decrease inflammation in the nasal region and are best taken daily throughout allergy season. If your headaches are barely alleviated, you may need to increase your dose of these allergy meds to boost their efficacy.
How to Reduce Your Exposure to Pollen
The less pollen that enters your airspace, the fewer symptoms you’ll experience. So, how can you reduce your exposure? Dr. Oller suggests keeping your windows closed, using a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your HVAC system, or a portable air purifier that has one. Vacuuming often can also make a difference. Whenever you do spend time outside, rinse off once you get home, and shower your sinuses with a nasal saline spray or Neti Pot to clear some mucus and release pressure.
What Not to Do When Dealing with Allergy Headaches
While it may be tempting to reach for an OTC oral decongestant like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), be aware that it’s not recommended to use it more than a few days in a row, especially if you have high blood pressure. Nasal decongestants can also open up your nose fast, but they should only be used for three days at a time max, as there’s a risk of rebound congestion and addiction.
Instead, you can try using OTC pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to alleviate your headache. However, be aware that taking these non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for more than 10 days straight can have potential effects on your stomach and kidneys.
