Many people are under the impression that their headaches
are caused by allergies. It’s common to hear that certain
foods will trigger headaches in some people. Most headache
specialists agree that these trigger foods contain chemical
triggers which do not involve the immune system, therefore,
not true allergies..
Allergy testing and allergy treatments do not usually help
the patient with a true headache disorder. There’s no
scientific basis for this common misunderstanding.
A common chemical trigger for headaches is tyramine, found
in fermented foods such a strong cheeses. Preserved lunch
meats and hot dogs contain nitrates. Certainly, many people
have experienced headaches from having too much chocolate.
These are not allergic reactions.
Common allergic reactions involve rashes, nasal congestion
or hives. Not headaches. There is no scientific evidence which
links pollen to headaches.
Many migraine sufferers are subjected to needless allergy
testing allergy medications and allergy shots because of misdiagnosis.