When allergy headaches begin to interfere with your life and affect your performance, you must consult a pain doctor. The experienced physician will work hard to find treatments that target your specific symptoms and identify the triggers you need to avoid. The specialist doctors at Advanced Headache Center rely on the most advanced diagnostic equipment to offer the best solutions for your condition.
Allergies are a major cause of headaches for people who are sensitive. Their immune system overreacts to certain foreign substances or elements and results in headaches and other related symptoms. If you suffer from environmental allergies and feel a headache coming up after being exposed to elements, seek a pain expert doctor to get a true diagnosis for your pain and the best line of treatment.
What Is an Allergy Headache?
An allergy attack can trigger a headache or a headache can be accompanied by an allergy attack. In both these cases, it will be called an allergy headache. This headache is often followed by allergic symptoms that include sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, itchy throat, and sinus pressure.
It is important to note that not every headache is an allergy headache. Sinus headaches and migraines are often linked to allergies, but they are not an allergic condition and cannot be treated with the same kind of medications that relieves allergy headache. In most cases, if you have headaches and allergies, allergies are more likely to trigger a headache. An expert headache doctor will rule out other common causes and evaluate your headaches and symptoms to present an accurate diagnosis for your condition.
What Causes Allergy Headaches?
Several factors can trigger an allergy headache or migraine. It can be anything from environmental agents to something you ate and even chemical reactions of the body. You will have to discuss your symptoms and condition with a headache specialist to find out the exact reasons for your allergy headaches.
Some of the most common causes and triggers include:
- Hay fever
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Mold and mildew in the house or office
- Dust mites
Eating certain foods like aged cheese, artificial sweeteners, and chocolate can trigger a migraine in some people. Experts believe the chemical properties in these foods can set off the pain. Histamine is also known for causing an allergic reaction. It decreases blood pressure which results in a headache.
The pain specialist will take your medical history and conduct a physical exam to know more about how severe allegoric reaction you suffer from to provide relief. The doctor will also check for any other triggers and causes of headaches, including cluster headaches and eye infections, and pain that causes similar symptoms.
Sometimes allergy headaches are accompanied by fever and sore throat and last for days, or the headache comes and goes. It might be the sign of some serious allergic reaction or some underlying condition and needs immediate medical attention. The expert doctor will use the most advanced diagnostic equipment and a multidisciplinary approach to pinpoint the source of your headache.
As there are so many different causes of allergy headaches and the symptoms, treatment options are also varied. The pain expert at Advanced Headache Center uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to make an accurate and complete diagnosis. It is necessary to know what is causing the allergy headache, and a thorough investigation is needed to get the most effective treatment.
Allergy Headache Treatment – How to Get the Best Relive
An allergy headache can be treated more or less the same way as any other headache. If allergies are the main reason behind the headache, addressing them will help to prevent recurring pain. Your headache specialist will devise a tailored treatment plan to offer fast relief from allergy attacks and headaches.
Allergy headaches can be treated by taking some over-the-counter medications that help to reduce the symptoms. The doctor will recommend these medications keeping in mind the frequency of allergy attacks and headaches. You will be required to take them for as long as you remain exposed to the allergens.
Your doctor might suggest the following medications and treatment options to keep away allergy headache pain:
- Over-the-counter antihistamines including Benadryl, Zyrtec, and Claritin
- Analgesics such as Advil and Aleve
- Prescription antihistamines such as Claritin and Zyrtec
- Tylenol
- Oral and nasal decongestants that alleviate headaches caused due to blocked sinuses
- Intranasal corticosteroids to help with reducing nasal congestion, sneezing, and itching
- Allergy shots
- Nasal cromolyn
You must take these medications as per the doctor’s instruction as an antihistamine, especially Benadryl can cause drowsiness, and you should avoid driving or any other dangerous activities after taking it. Consult your pain expert on how long you should use these medications to avoid overdosage and tolerance to drugs.
Allergy Headache Home Remedies – At-Home Treatments
Pain management doctors also offer a range of curative solutions for your discomfort. Along with medications, your doctor might suggest a few home remedies to treat allergy headaches.
They include:
- Applying warm, moist washcloth to your face several times a day
- Drinking plenty of fluids to thin the mucus
- Inhaling steam two to four times per day
- Spraying the nose with nasal saline several times a day
- Using a neti pot to flush the sinuses
If your allergy headaches are getting to a point where they begin to affect your daily routine and activities, schedule an appointment with your doctor to get tested. The pain specialist might recommend stronger prescription treatments that are more effective than over-the-counter medicines and provide lasting relief.
As you cope with your headache, the pain specialist monitors your progress and modifies the treatment plan as needed to ensure you find long-term relief from allergy headaches and enjoy your life, work, and relationships without any more pain. Schedule an appointment with the best pain management doctor at Advanced Headache Center to live the pain-free life you deserve.
