Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center can help patients who suffer with headaches from allergies

There are many different types of headaches that patients can experience, and Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center says that allergies can trigger this deliberating symptom.

Headaches aren’t uncommon. According to Healthline, research estimates that 70 to 80% of people experience headaches, and about 50% get at least once a month. Many of those headaches come from allergies.

"I would say that the vast majority of patients have some component of allergies contributing to their sino-nasal issues," Lee said. "A lot of the times, it's inflammation of the nose, and that inflammation could come from allergies, or it could come from chronic or recurrent infections. It's always part of our philosophy to make sure that we test our patients for allergies to make sure that we're not overlooking a contributing factor, to make sure not only do we get them better but we keep them feeling better."

At times, allergies related to sinus disease can cause headaches as well, according to Healthline.

"Allergy shots still are a thing and still are very effective," Lee said. "It is once a week that the patient has to come into the office, so it can be pretty cumbersome and intrusive into daily life. We offer what we call sublingual immunotherapy, which is essentially the same principle, meaning that we tested for allergies, we figured out what you're allergic to, and we make a special, customized serum of that stuff. Then we start feeding your body small amounts of it. 

There are three common allergies that can lead to headaches. One is allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever. If you have a headache along with seasonal and indoor nasal allergies, it’s more likely due to a migraine rather than allergies. But pain related to hay fever or other allergic reactions may cause headaches due to sinus disease. A true sinus headache is actually quite rare. 

Food allergies can also cause headaches. For example, foods like aged cheese, artificial sweeteners and chocolate can trigger a migraine in some people. Experts believe it’s the chemical properties of certain foods that trigger the pain, as opposed to a true food allergy. 

Histamine causes headaches as well. The body produces histamines in response to an allergic reaction. Among other things, histamines decrease blood pressure, which can result in headaches.

"Traditionally, you had to come into the office once a week for a shot," Lee said. "But now we can actually do those in the form of a drop that you put under your tongue. You do those at home every day. And we're we're able to allow you to do that home because they're extremely safe. The risk of an anaphylactic reaction... is essentially zero. So you get the same benefits but without all the hassles of having to come in for a shot every week."

According to Healthline, although it’s a good idea to discuss taking any medication with your doctor, you can address certain allergies — and allergy-related symptoms such as headaches — with preventive steps and over-the-counter medications. If your allergies get to a point where they’re interfering with your day-to-day activities, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a full diagnosis and possibly a referral to an allergist.

To evaluate your allergy or sinus symptoms, please take this online sinus quiz.

Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center is committed to providing the best sinus and allergy relief in the Scottsdale area, using the most advanced, proven patient-friendly techniques available. With 29 million Americans suffering from sinusitis and 242,000 annual chronic sinusitis ER visits, our mission is to provide minimally invasive options for needed long-lasting relief so that patients can get back to living. We call this mission Breathe Free and Live Well, and it is the North Star that guides us in each unique, collaborative patient interaction. To learn more about Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center, please visit our website.