Despite migraines being common, doctors haven’t been able to figure out what causes migraines specifically. However, medical practitioners know about the symptoms and the different factors that cause migraines. Some factors that can trigger migraines include odors, certain foods like alcohol and caffeine, sounds and light, dehydration or hunger, medication overuse, and physical activities.

It is common for individuals suffering from migraines, to say odors trigger their migraines. Some of the odors that have been found to cause migraines include perfumes, cigarette smoke, candles, food odors, air fresheners, and cleaning chemicals. Individuals who suffer from migraines have osmophobia. It’s the lack of tolerance for certain smells when they are under a migraine attack. Some migraine symptoms include

• Pain around the neck and face
•  Headaches
•  Visual distortion, light sensitivity, or seeing flashes of light.
•  Light-headedness and dizziness
•  Nausea
•  Irritability
•  Nasal congestion
•  Sound sensitivity

Below are some odors that trigger migraine attacks:

1. Cigarette smoke
For most people who suffer from migraine attacks, the smell of cigarette smoke can trigger a migraine. Some also suffer from allergies related to cigarette smoke and hence they can develop a migraine when exposed to it. Even people who smoke cigarettes can get migraines after smoking. During smoking, blood vessels experience changes in size, and this can cause a migraine. It causes narrowing of blood cells and when this happens, blood doesn’t flow well to the brain. The lack of enough blood flowing to the brain causes a migraine

2. Food odors
Some common foods such as onions and fatty foods can cause a migraine. Strong smells from raw onions can trigger a migraine. The onion smell can invigorate the trigeminal nerve leading to headaches. The blood vessels are also affected and they become narrow. The smell of fatty foods being fried can also have effects on the brain and cause a migraine.

3. Perfumes and fragrances
Perfumes are amazing and completely pleasant, but at some point may cause discomfort. Perfumes can trigger migraines since they can cause blood vessels to enlarge and distend. The swelling of blood vessels prompts the brain’s nerve system that leads to headaches. Hence, individuals prone to migraine attacks can be highly affected by perfume scents.

4. Cleaning chemicals
Different cleaning products that people often use can have different effects on a person’s health. For those with migraines, the strong smell of chemicals can trigger migraine attacks. Other health factors include allergic reactions that irritate the throat and the eyes. Some cleaning products produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are highly dangerous. The VOCs that are produced by the chemicals, in turn, may cause severe migraines.

5. Air fresheners
Air fresheners can be really pleasant to some people, but to people who suffer migraine attacks, it’s not. When individuals who are prone to migraine attacks inhale the smell, they get headaches. The scent triggers the part of the brain that is linked to causing headaches after blood vessels expand and swell.

6. Candles
A large number of people have reported that they develop migraines when burning candles. The scent can trigger a headache but the main thing that causes the migraine is petroleum soot. Candles can fill the environment they are burned in with harmful chemicals and other pollutants. They aren’t very safe for people who often get migraine attacks because they will make matters worse.

If you suffer from migraine attacks you should learn which odors affect you and stay away from them. Keep track of what triggers your migraines, to reduce the possibility of attacks in the future.