A migraine is a headache that varies in intensity. A migraine may make you nauseous and sensitive to sound and light. Before a migraine is detected, there are various symptoms that crop up at an early stage. Common symptoms of migraines are pain on one side of the face or head, dizziness, pain in the neck, and even blurred vision. Sometimes, various odors can trigger migraines including:

1. Food odors
Certain types of food can trigger migraine headaches. Even going on hunger for some time without eating can trigger a migraine. In fact, fasting is the most common trigger for migraines as far as diet is concerned. Some of the food associated with migraine attacks include caffeinated food, alcohol, cheese, salami, food which are fermented, cured, or even picked, which may contain a lot of amino acid known as tyramine. Smelling these types of foods can start a migraine.

2. Smoke
Smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke also triggers a migraine attack. Smoking nicotine changes the size of blood vessels in the brain, causing a migraine attack. An allergic reaction can occur when you smoke a cigarette. This happens because the nose and throat are usually irritated, causing pain to the head. You should avoid smoking to fix the menace brought about by migraine attacks.

3. Perfumes and fragrances
Perfumes produce a strong smell that triggers migraine headaches. Some perfumes usually come in unusual smells hence triggering migraine headaches. People with migraines do not tolerate perfumes as they make them osmophobic. Osmophobia is a condition where one cannot tolerate any smell during the migraine attack.

4. House cleaning products
While everybody loves a clean and neat home, the products and chemicals used to clean may cause a migraine attack. Some house cleaning ingredients are very harmful to humans. They may irritate the nostrils and trigger allergic reactions that also cause migraines. Even cleaning an inside environment can cause migraine attacks if the room isn’t properly ventilated. Therefore, it may be important to use environmentally-friendly cleaning products, such as using lemon and baking soda to clean.

5. Car exhaust
Exhaust fumes from cars can cause blood vessels to swell and dilate, leading to a migraine attack. These fumes also release carbon monoxide, which poses harmful conditions leading to headaches. To make sure you don’t inhale too much carbon monoxide, avoid poorly ventilated spaces and enclosed garage, which has a lot of fumes. Carbon monoxide is quite poisonous if inhaled in excess. Always seek immediate medical attention when you find yourself in such situations.

It’s important to understand your migraine triggers and avoid them as much as possible.