April 24, 2025—A lack of sleep or missing a meal can trigger a headache at any time of the year. But other triggers can be seasonal—including allergies.
Spring is headache season for some
Allergy symptoms tend to spike when pollen increases in the air, triggering seasonal allergies commonly referred to as hay fever. They can also be a result of exposure to year-round allergens like dust, mold, pets and food.
Along with symptoms like congestion, sneezing and itchy eyes, allergies are also linked to headaches—including both sinus headaches and migraines.
There's no real agreement as to what causes allergy headaches. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, some health experts believe inflammation blocking the nasal passages may cause sinus headaches.
But sinus headaches are typically caused by sinus infections—not congestion. In many cases, what people think is a sinus headache is actually a migraine.
People with allergies are more likely to have migraines than people 'without allergies, reports the American Migraine Foundation. But allergies don't trigger a migraine directly. Instead, allergy symptoms, such as inflammation and congestion, can trigger migraine. In some cases, they irritate the trigeminal nerve, triggering a migraine attack. They can also affect the parasympathetic nervous system.
Whether your allergy headaches are sinus headaches or migraines, managing allergies is an effective way to reduce allergy-related headaches.
At-home allergy headache solutions
One thing allergies and headaches have in common: Reducing triggers can help. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America shares several tips to get you started:
- Avoid your allergens when possible. This might involve keeping your windows closed or using an air filter to remove the offending particles from the air.
- Take your allergy medications. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can help you manage allergies. Ask your doctor for advice.
- Keep a diary. Track what's happening when you have headaches to help identify what makes them worse, such as a high pollen count.
Ready for a long-term solution?
If allergy headaches are an issue, talk to your doctor about allergy shots. They may be an effective solution. Our interactive assessment can help you learn whether immunotherapy might be a good fit for you.
Sources
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. "Headaches Connected to Allergies and Sinus Problems." https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/headaches-connected-to-allergies-and-sinus-problem.
- American Migraine Foundation. "Allergies and Migraine: How Do They Affect You?" https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/allergies-and-migraine-how-do-they-affect-you.
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. "Allergy Prevention." https://aafa.org/allergies/prevent-allergies.