6 Ways to Minimize Allergy-Induced Migraine Attacks

Managing migraine attacks is already a huge challenge for many of us. Add allergies on top of that and we could be in for a really difficult time! 

Allergies usually happen from time to time but the frequency can increase during the summer, fall, and spring – also commonly known as “allergy seasons”. As allergies may trigger migraine attacks, this could be a demanding period of time especially if you have allergies.  

Fortunately, there are ways of managing allergies to reduce both the frequency and severity of the migraine attacks.

1. Allergy Medications

Some medications can help to treat the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Examples include antihistamines, decongestants, and allergy shots.

Antihistamines prevent the body from making histamine, which is a chemical that is produced when a foreign substance triggers the immune system. Decongestants are used to relieve pressure in the sinuses and decongest nasal pathways. Remember to always consult your physician before purchasing any medications!

2. Stay Indoors When It’s Windy

Many allergens are usually wind-borne. We should, therefore, stay indoors as much as possible during windy days. It is also best to stay inside as much as possible in the early hours of the evening as the allergen count in the air is usually at its peak during this time.

3. Cover Your Windows

If you’re sensitive to wind-borne allergens, precautions should also be taken to cover the windows of our homes and close the windows of our cars.

Covering the windows can significantly reduce the amount of allergens that may enter the room or car. However, covering the windows may cause stuffiness and a rise in temperature which could also trigger migraine attacks—so make sure the room is well-ventilated and cool with air-conditioning and/or humidifier.

4. Avoid Activities That May Stir Up Allergens

Some activities may set off allergens like pollen, dust, and fungi molds—activities such as gardening, sweeping, lawn-mowing, etc.

We should stay away from these activities as much as possible in order to reduce the risk of an allergy-induced migraine attack. Family members or relatives may be called in to assist with some of the chores. For cleaning, you could consider using wet mops as opposed to brooms.

5. Don’t Leave Your Clothes Outside

Since many allergens are wind-borne, there’s a tendency that they will settle on clothes that are left outside. Try as much as possible to keep your clothes indoors! Rather than drying clothes on a line, we can utilize a dryer.

6. Be Careful With Pets

Even though pets can be a great source of support for migraine, there are many allergens found on the skins and furs of animals that can trigger an attack.

Extra care should be taken when handling pets. For instance, we should ensure that we wash our hands after handling any animals and if you own a pet, try to keep them away from where you usually sleep.

Even within the migraine community, those of us who have allergies may not go through the same experience of getting allergy-induced migraine attacks. Indeed, each of our migraine journeys is different but that should not stop us from sharing our experiences!

We hope that the points outlined above have helped you understand more about managing allergies to reduce the chances of an allergy-induced attack. ?