Allergies can sometimes trigger headaches. The American Migraine Foundation observed that about 37% of people with allergies may also have migraines compared to only 5% in those without allergies. (1)

Common allergy headache triggers include pollen seasonal allergens (winter, spring, summer, and fall) and year-round allergens (pet dander, dust mites, and mold).

In this article, we will describe what allergy headaches feel like and how to relieve them when they occur.  As a bonus tip, we also add a way to get long-lasting relief from allergy headaches.

What is an allergy headache?

An allergy headache is not an actual medical diagnosis. It is often used to refer to headaches that accompany an allergy. (2)

Allergy headaches do not occur alone; they are almost always accompanied by allergy symptoms such as sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, sinus pressure, and an itchy throat. 

Symptoms of Allergy Headaches

Some common symptoms of an allergy headache may include: (3, 4)

• Pain and pressure around the eyes and forehead

• Cheekbone or jaw pain 

• Eye pain 

• Redness of the eyes

• Facial pain

• Feeling of fullness in the head

• Throbbing on one side of the head

• Nausea

• Pain in the head that worsens on bending 

Types of Headaches Linked to Allergies

Two main types of headaches have been associated with allergies: sinus headaches and migraine headaches. (4)

Sinus headaches

Sinus headaches are a type of headache associated with pain and pressure in the face and sinuses.

Patients with sinus headaches often complain of a dull pain, usually mild to moderate in intensity, in the forehead, between or behind the eyes, and along the cheekbones. In most cases, sinus allergy headache often occurs along with a runny nose and nasal congestion. 

Common triggers of sinus headaches

Sinus headaches may result from: (4)

• Seasonal allergens such as pollens

• Cold

• Indoor allergens (pet dander, mold, and dust mites)

• Irritants such as smoke (tobacco) and the smell of chemicals

• Changes in the weather

• Stress

• Sinus infection (rare)

It may be difficult for you to tell the difference between sinus allergy headaches and regular headaches. Consult a healthcare provider to rule out other causes of headaches.

Migraine headaches

Allergies can trigger migraines by causing inflammation and nasal congestion. In fact, people with allergies are more prone to migraine attacks.

While it's not exactly clear how an allergy causes migraine, researchers believe that nasal congestion due to seasonal allergies can irritate the trigeminal nerve and trigger migraine attacks. (5) It is important to add that allergens are not directly responsible for migraines; instead, the symptoms of allergies (caused by allergens) can trigger a migraine. (1)

Migraine headaches are much more specific and intense than sinus headaches. This type of headache feels like a pulsing or throbbing pain on one side of your head.

Other symptoms of migraine headaches that accompany allergy include increased sensitivity to light, sound, or smell, and nausea and vomiting. 

It is advised that people who suffer from migraines be screened for allergy to check if it is a potential trigger, which can then be treated. (5, 6) 

Common triggers of migraine headaches

Migraine headaches may result from: (4, 7)

• Inflammation from indoor allergens like dust mites or pet dander that irritate the trigeminal nerves

• Stress

• Poor sleep patterns

• Smoke

• Strong scents

• Food allergies

• Dehydration 

• Weather changes

Ways to manage an allergy headache 

If you suffer from an allergy headache, there are different treatment options to experience relief. However, you need an accurate diagnosis to identify the reasons for your allergy headache. 

Some ways for managing allergy headache include:

1. Combine allergy medications and pain relief

Combining allergy medications, such as antihistamines, with analgesics like Advil and Aleve can help provide fast relief for your allergy headaches.  

Mild pain relievers like Tylenol can also help with allergy headaches. (4) However, the National Headache Institute recommends Advil and Aleve as the most effective in stopping allergy headache pain. (2)

Your allergist may also recommend prescription-strength medications such as antihistamines, decongestants and corticosteroids to help treat your allergies. 

2. Consider immunotherapy 

As long as the allergy remains, you are likely to have recurring headaches. Consider using allergy drops to retrain your immune system and overcome all of your allergy symptoms for good.  Research shows that most patients who complete a full allergy drop treatment plan can expect decades of allergy freedom. (8)

In one study, researchers observed that people who received immunotherapy had a lower risk and frequency of migraine headaches due to allergies. (9)

3. Minimize allergy exposure

Know your allergy triggers and avoid them. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, minimize going out during high pollen seasons. If your allergies are triggered by indoor allergens like mold, pets, or dust mites, work to make your space as allergen-free as possible by using dehumidifiers, HEPA air purifiers, frequent cleaning, and allergen-proof bedding.

4. Try at-home treatments

Some at-home treatments you can use to relieve sinus pressure and ease headaches include:

• Use a neti pot or other nasal irrigation methods to cleanse the sinuses. 

• Press a warm compress over your forehead or cheeks for about 3 minutes, then a cold compress for 30 seconds. Alternate for about 3-4 times. 

• Try a nasal saline spray to clear the sinuses and reduce thickened mucus

• Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

• Use a humidifier to keep the air in your home moist.

• Consider using eucalyptus essential oil.(10)

5. Consult an Allergist

As previously stated, consulting your allergist is the best way to manage your allergy headaches. They help rule out other causes of the headache and recommend treatment based on their findings.

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Allergy headache vs regular headaches

It might be hard to tell whether your headache is due to allergies or another cause, since different types of headaches share similar symptoms. 

The best way to tell allergy headaches from other types of headaches is to consult an allergist or your healthcare provider.

That said, here are some clues that may suggest that allergies are triggering your headaches:

• Other allergy symptoms, such as a stuffy or runny nose and itchy or watery eyes, accompany your headaches.

• Your headaches only occur during allergy seasons or after you develop a new allergy.

• Your headache goes away once you take an allergy medication or after you treat a sinus infection.

Quello Allergy Drops for Long Lasting Allergy Headache Relief

If you want allergy relief that lasts, you need to reduce how often your symptoms occur and how severe they are. Quello allergy drops help retrain your immune system, so you react less over time, leading to fewer or even no allergy symptoms.

Not sure what’s causing your symptoms? Take our free allergy test to find out your triggers. After your results, you can talk to our board-certified allergist for a personalized treatment plan.