Why do certain smells give me a headache?

In some cases, smells can stimulate the trigeminal nerve, which becomes inflamed and causes migraines. Some scents can even cause blood vessels in the brain to dilate or constrict, resulting in headaches!


Why do certain smells trigger headaches?

Why may odor be such an issue for some? Compared to those without migraines, migraine sufferers can be more sensitive to things in their environment such as light, sound, and odor. With respect to odors, this extra sensitivity is due to increased activation of specific scent and pain receptors in the brain.

What causes increased sensitivity to smells?

Hyperosmia is an overwhelming sensitivity to smells. There are many reasons behind this change in smell. Some include genetics, hormone changes, and migraines. ‌If you have hyperosmia, your taste may also be affected.


What is osmophobia?

Osmophobia, defined as a fear, aversion, or psychological hypersensitivity to odors, is a very rare isolated phobia. It is common among primary headache patients, with prevalence of migraine.

How do you treat fragrance sensitivity?

Preventing and Treating Fragrance Sensitivities

Nasal antihistamine and nasal corticosteroid medications can effectively control allergy symptoms caused by these sensitivities. But the best medicine is really an ounce of prevention — and that means keeping all fragrances off yourself and out of your environment.


Why does fragrance make some people sick?



Is fragrance sensitivity a disability?

Fragrance sensitivity is real – and may qualify as a covered disability under the law. That means employers would do well to have a plan in mind should an applicant or employee with a disability ask for a fragrance-related accommodation.

Why does fragrance make me sick?

Some ingredients found in synthetic fragrances are known carcinogens and hormone-disrupters. This means they can impact your hormone levels and expose you to chemicals such as Formaldehyde which can have adverse effects on your health.

What is Sidonglobophobia?

sidonglobophobia (uncountable) Sensory phobia of cotton or cotton balls.


What is Holocranial headache?

However, it's important to point out that there are times when migraine pain can be holocranial. This means the pain can be felt around the head instead of just on one side. With a tension headache, pain and pressure may extend to your neck, and you may also feel pain and tenderness around your forehead.

What is Bromidrophobia?

Bromidrophobia is a fear of perceived odors.

What hormone causes smell sensitivity?

The new study shows ghrelin, made mainly in the stomach, binds to molecules in the brain's olfactory bulb, suggesting the hormone is directly involved in odor processing.


Can anxiety make you sensitive to smells?

Anxiety Can Create Smell Sensitivity

Anxiety itself can actually create a sensitivity to smells. Anxiety puts you more "in touch" with your senses. Those with anxiety become more receptive to different scents in a way that those without anxiety are not, especially with regards to bad smells.

Is hyperosmia a symptom of autism?

Over sensitivity to smell (hyperosmia)

A heightened sense of smell can create problems for those with autism, causing serious physical reactions such as nausea and vomiting.

How do you get rid of hyperosmia?

Treatment. If you have hyperosmia, chewing peppermint gum can help until you can move away from the triggering smell. Successful long-term treatment of hyperosmia involves pinpointing and treating the underlying cause of the symptom. Treatment based on the root cause should alleviate your hypersensitivity to odors.


What is optical migraine?

Retinal migraine (ocular migraine) is an eye condition that causes brief attacks of blindness or visual problems like flashing lights in 1 eye. These episodes can be frightening, but in most cases they're harmless and shortlived, and eyesight goes back to normal afterwards.

What is a vestibular migraine?

With a vestibular migraine, the person may experience a combination of vestibular attacks, visual aura, or sensitivity to visual stimulation and motion at different times, and they can occur with or without an actual headache.

What is hypertension headache?

A hypertension headache is a pain, often occurring on both sides of the head, pulsating and getting worse with physical activity. The headache is typically accompanied by other symptoms associated with high blood pressure.


Which headache is life threatening?

Your headache comes on suddenly and is explosive or violent. Your headache is "the worst ever," even if you regularly get headaches. You also have slurred speech, a change in vision, problems moving your arms or legs, loss of balance, confusion, or memory loss with your headache. Your headache gets worse over 24 hours.

How do I know if I have a Cervicogenic headache?

A cervicogenic headache (CGH) presents as unilateral pain that starts in the neck and is referred from bony structures or soft tissues of the neck. [1] It is a common chronic and recurrent headache that usually starts after neck movement. It usually accompanies a reduced range of motion (ROM) of the neck.

What is Pseudodysphagia?

Choking phobia is a fear of eating, drinking or taking pills. It is also called Pseudodysphagia. There is nothing wrong with the child's throat. They fear that swallowing will cause pain or discomfort.


What is Somniphobia?

A note from Cleveland Clinic. Somniphobia is the intense fear of sleep. People with this phobia may be afraid of having nightmares, experiencing sleep paralysis or dying in their sleep. Often, people who have somniphobia try to avoid going to sleep for as long as possible.

What causes Styrophobia?

Phobias can be contagious

“Styrophobia can be a learned behavior, formed after watching someone else who had this fear, and then believing it to be harmful yourself,” explains clinical psychologist Perpetua Neo to Yahoo Health.

How do I know if I have Hyperosmia?

If your nose gets the “all clear,” your doctor may do a “scratch and sniff” smell test. If that points to an increased sense of smell, hyperosmia is usually the diagnosis. Smell and taste are also closely linked. (Ever smell something so strong you could taste it?)


Can fragrance cause migraines?

Conclusions: Odorants, isolated or in association, especially perfume, may trigger migraine attacks after a few minutes of exposure.

Can a smell give you reactions?

Fragrance sensitivity

And dermatitis is a skin reaction such as a rash. Other symptoms include headaches, a tight chest, and wheezing. While these symptoms are very real and match the symptoms of an allergy, they're actually symptoms of what's known as fragrance sensitivity.