Everyday Products Giving You a Headache

Headaches stemming from chemical sensitivity are becoming more and more common.

EVERYDAY PRODUCTS GIVING YOU A HEADACHE?

Researching headaches has given me a headache, which would likely be a primary headache known as a tension headache. Did that sentence give you a headache? All jokes aside, headaches can manifest in a multitude of ways and a wide array of factors can bring them on. In fact, headaches are so widespread that they are considered to be one of the most common ailments afflicting our society.

It’s widely known that illness, allergies, and stress can all cause headaches. Certain foods, like caffeine and sugar, can cause headaches, too. Increasingly, it’s becoming clear that chemicals in our everyday products can also cause headaches.

Headaches stemming from chemical sensitivity are becoming more and more common. Many of my clients have reported physical reactions such as headache, nausea, dizziness, and breathing issues. There’s also a much more serious syndrome caused by chemical sensitivity, called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity or MCS. While a chemical sensitivity can manifest as sniffles, a sore throat, an upset stomach, or similar malady – here we’re only focusing on headaches. Read more about MCS.

WHAT IS A CHEMICAL HEADACHE?

If your headaches occur after exposure to specific chemicals such as cleansers, fabric softeners, paint, air fresheners, hair products, body lotions, perfumes, varnish, or insect spray, you may be suffering from a chemical headache. A computer listing from the Hazardous Substance Data Bank reveals a data set of over 700 chemicals of diverse nature that may cause headaches.
In a report by CNN about surprising things that give you headaches, perfume is listed first. According to author, Alicia Potter, “Strong odors may activate the nose’s nerve cells, which stimulate the nerve system associated with head pain. Ironically, the offending scents are often pleasant.”

HOW CAN YOU AVOID CHEMICAL HEADACHES?

To eliminate chemical headaches, you should avoid perfumes, strong household cleansers, fragranced soaps and shampoos, and air fresheners. That’s a challenge when just about everything these days is labeled Clothesline Clean or Citrus Fresh, but there are safe alternatives. But first, you need to get away from the source of the offending chemical. Step outside to get a breath of fresh air and, as some recommend, drink plenty of water to flush the toxins from your body. Take note of what you may have smelled prior to the headache, so you can try to identify the chemical culprit. And, be sure to discuss your symptoms and concerns with your health care provider.
It’s been amazing to hear how much better people feel after they remove the harmful household chemicals. If you could stop getting migraines or headaches with simple solutions, wouldn’t you do it?
I’m not a medical professional; I’m just reporting what my clients have experienced. Changing over to Pure Haven is certainly worth investigating further if you are suffering. Reach out to me at dee@livingnontoxicwithdee.com to learn about a quick switch that many of my clients have made that eliminates over 100 harmful chemicals every day.