Headache caused by hair?

[Laura1986]

Hi you all, question:

I often get a headache (once/twice a week).. and I wonder if having a LOT of fine hair (it feels heavy, as if it pulls the backside of my head down, but looks quite dainty) and a sensitive scalp could be the cause? Gently lifting the hair with one hand feels good on my scalp, but I can't hold it up for a longer amount of time :p. My current solution is to take an Ibuprofen and go to bed a bit earlier. That sure helps for the headache, but if the hair is / might be causing it.. I would want to know.

Some background info that might be relevant:
I have had a bit shorter hair all my life (between ear and shoulder length mostly), then a couple of years back I let it grow out to BSL, got so fed up (tangles, hair that gets stuck everywhere, and also.. headaches) with it that I chopped it back to a lob (which I loved for how it looked) to a unintendedly short pixie (I like a bit longer ones more, generally speaking). That was two years ago. I panicked because it was so short and I looked so different that I wanted it to grow out again, but I find myself (wanting to) cutting back as soon as my hair begins to graze the lower half of my neck. Unfortunately, I have no logs of my headaches and I am not 100% sure if I didn't have them with my pixie cut (I only had it for a short amount of time and there was a lot going on back then)

I am curious about your thoughts, please share :)

[lapushka]

With your length (it is the length in your avatar, right), and ii type I don't think it's the hair; it's easy to blame the hair. If you aren't making updos that are too tight, I wouldn't even think of it at all.

I get migraines, short or long hair; it's got nothing to do with the hair, not one bit.

Do you get them with shorter hair as well?

[Estrid]

I get headaches if I somehow put pressure/strain on the top of my head, like if I wear a ponytail or bun that's too high (or pull the hairs on the top too much). Headphones that go over the head cause me to get headaches too.

You don't really say if you get these after putting your hair up in some sort of way, but I'd say that if you only wear your hair loose, it seems unlikely that it's the hair that's causing it.

[Laura1986]

Thank you for your replies.

My current hair length is a bit longer then in my avatar (top layers are 5-10 cm longer, I currently have a blunt upside-down U shaped hem with the back halfway down my neck and the front almost touching my collarbones when streched).
I wear my hair loose, and sometimes (for max 2-3 hours) in a not-too-tight ponytail on the back of my head, or half-up with a Flexi-8 in XS, as I am trying to get used to the feeling.

[SleepyTangles]

I'm very sensitive to tied up hair. Even little pressure can make me uncomfortable. Weight itself Is not an issue (even at waist length) because it's well distributed.
That's why this time I'm ok with growing slower and with some damage rather than having long hair in 3 or 4 years but living with a permanent mild headache.

[lapushka]

Thank you for your replies.

My current hair length is a bit longer then in my avatar (top layers are 5-10 cm longer, I currently have a blunt upside-down U shaped hem with the back halfway down my neck and the front almost touching my collarbones when streched).
I wear my hair loose, and sometimes (for max 2-3 hours) in a not-too-tight ponytail on the back of my head, or half-up with a Flexi-8 in XS, as I am trying to get used to the feeling.

Ponytails, depending on how tight or "high" you do them can be relentless, though! :(

[Entangled]

Rather than assume it’s your hair, I would keep a log of symptoms. I get quite regular headaches, and recording them has helped me figure out triggers. Things like hormones, how much sleep you get, dehydration, etc can all affect whether or not you have a headache.

[MusicalSpoons]

I think we did have a member whose hair genuinely was a factor in her migraines even though it was short, but that is pretty rare (and I seem to recall she found a medication that got them under control?). But if we're talking about normal headaches I think you should properly evaluate or eliminate other factors first, because they are much more likely - migraines are a completely different thing altogether, with much more potential for really odd things to be a factor than in ordinary headaches.

[Sarahlabyrinth]

Also, sometimes things you eat or drink can cause headaches. Unless you're talking about follicle pain - that's something different entirely.

[Cg]

My hair always caused permanent headaches when it got to knee, but I can't imagine the weight of much less hair being a primary cause of headaches. Certainly not of just temporary or occasional headaches. It seems more probable another issue or a combination of issues is responsible.

[Arciela]

My hair is really thick and when I put it up often times I will simply get follicle pain. Once I take it down it eases up in an hour or so.

I am not sure about headaches from the hair though :flower:

[shelomit]

I know exactly what you mean about enjoying picking your hair "up" and taking some of the weight off of the back of your head for a while ( ; I don't ordinarily get headaches from my hair, but if I put it up in a different place or just put it up weirdly (weight not distributed evenly) I get sore scalp/follicle pain and sometimes a mild headache. My hair is much thicker and longer than yours, though. All told, I suspect it's likely not your hair causing them, esp. given the frequency of the headaches and that it doesn't seem to matter how you're wearing your hair. You mention you go to bed earlier to help with the headaches--does that mean you are always getting them in the evening?

[The Lizard Wife]

I have a lot of factors that go into my headaches--weight of hair, how I styled my hair, mild dehydration, sinus pressure, work stress, not wearing my earmuffs when it gets below 50 degrees F outside... Part of how I know my hair has reached that length where it's mere existence gives me headaches, and that my hair specifically is the problem, is that headaches will frequently get worse/suddenly appear when I wash my hair. All that added water weight is just too much! Once I get much past APL I start dreading the thought of washing my hair...

So perhaps if you have that same problem, that might suggest that yes, the weight of your hair could be the issue? But I'd start by trying to keep a record of symptoms, tracking when you have headaches and brainstorming what factors might be influencing them, to see if anything else is going on too.

(Every time I have some weird symptoms, and I finally start documenting them, it nearly always turns out to be "Oh, this is apparently yet another way my PMS manifests. With pain. Lovely." Come to think of it, that's probably why my knee has been acting up so badly this week...)

[Laura1986]

My headaches come imostly in the afternoon. If I have one sooner, I most often had one the day before and it never really went away. Sometimes I have a couple of weeks with no headaches, followed by a period of more headaches per week. I suspect my headaches are a migraines but I have not been diagnosed. They could also be tension headaches since symphoms do overlap.
I work fulltime, and if it is somehow bearable (with painkillers) I just try to keep working. If a headache is coming up I also feel nauseated, and I am extremely sensitive to light, noise, people in general, touch, smell, being too hot/cold etc. Everything is simply too much to handle. In that state I also struggle with the (relative) weight of my hair. In a non-headache state my hair can be annoying, but thats something else.

After reading your responses, I gravitate towards the idea that the main reason for my headaches is probably a combination of stress, (mild) dehydration etc. and that in this headache-state, I can't really deal with it well, just as I can't deal with lights, noise and stuff.

I will keep a log over the next few weeks to see if I can find some stronger links.

In the mean time: do you have suggestions to deal with hair during a headache, if it is not possible to simply go to bed?

[shelomit]

Yeah, the light sensitivity, nausea, etc. really sounds like migranes ) : I suppose it would make sense that you would be hyper-aware of the weight of your hair during a migrane, too.

Re: your last question, what I typically do when I have scalp pain is to braid my hair like I do when going to bed (two loose braids) and toss them into a sleeping cap like this one (https://www.target.com/p/evolve-satin-wide-edge-bonnet/-/A-52637444?clkid=3078c33bN109a11ea895942010a246c14&lnm=81938&afid=Skimbit%20Ltd.&ref=tgt_adv_xasd0002). Some of them look pretty presentable, though I suppose it depends on what kind of job you have whether or not you could wear one at work inconspicuously. I find that it helps with the scalp pain because it takes a lot of the weight of my hair off of the back of my head and lets the "bag" of the cap support it, which in turn is mostly supported by the non-hurting side of the head. But if you're already in that much pain, then the pressure from the cap's band might make it even worse--? Sorry that this isn't more helpful. I hope you feel better soon <3

[hennalove]

Hi you all, question:

I often get a headache (once/twice a week).. and I wonder if having a LOT of fine hair (it feels heavy, as if it pulls the backside of my head down, but looks quite dainty) and a sensitive scalp could be the cause? Gently lifting the hair with one hand feels good on my scalp, but I can't hold it up for a longer amount of time :p. My current solution is to take an Ibuprofen and go to bed a bit earlier. That sure helps for the headache, but if the hair is / might be causing it.. I would want to know.

Some background info that might be relevant:
I have had a bit shorter hair all my life (between ear and shoulder length mostly), then a couple of years back I let it grow out to BSL, got so fed up (tangles, hair that gets stuck everywhere, and also.. headaches) with it that I chopped it back to a lob (which I loved for how it looked) to a unintendedly short pixie (I like a bit longer ones more, generally speaking). That was two years ago. I panicked because it was so short and I looked so different that I wanted it to grow out again, but I find myself (wanting to) cutting back as soon as my hair begins to graze the lower half of my neck. Unfortunately, I have no logs of my headaches and I am not 100% sure if I didn't have them with my pixie cut (I only had it for a short amount of time and there was a lot going on back then)

I am curious about your thoughts, please share :)

About 10 years ago I had horrible one-sided migraines to the point when then hit I would actually walk tilted. The first doctor blamed my hair because of the length. Later, I found it was the changes in barimetric pressure was the more likely culprit and to this day still have sinus problems on that side but can't remember the last time I had a headache. I went completely natural with respect to health care which was the best choice for me and my hair is likely closer to a foot longer than before.

I would recommend keeping a log for your headaches because so many things can trigger them. I personally would not use Ibuprofen but I do know from research that it as well as other headache remedies can trigger rebound headaches, something you may be experiencing if taking a couple of times a week. Pressure can also cause headaches as well as hormones. In your case, I would recommend more troubleshooting especially with respect to stress and food triggers.

[Entangled]

When I can’t take medicine, peppermint oil and hot packs have been helpful. I’m not sure how the latter would work in a work environment, though.

[Laura1986]

Ok, thanks a lot. I will keep a log for some weeks and try to identify more specific triggers.
I take as little Ibuprofen as I can. I could alo use Paracetamol but it isn't as effective as Ibu.
However, I need some real painkiller if I am already in the headache-state. I just can't and don't want to live with that kind of pain. I'm not really sure what you mean with a more natural approach. Avoiding stress / stuff that stresses one out too much? Making sure to get enough sleep and rest?

[enting]

Can you talk to your doctor about your headaches and what to do for them in the moment? If your liver and kidneys are healthy, taking painkillers shouldn't be terrible for your body, but getting a professional's advice about it seems like a good idea to me.

Something I haven't seen mentioned so far is neck exercises. I know you said your scalp hurts, but it's possible to have referred pain. If your neck is tiring during the day, building up its strength might help stave off the headaches. I also don't know what kind of work environment you have, but for me, if I'm staring at a screen all day or just keeping my head in one position most of the day I get headaches, and I do think that extra weight from heavy hair can make that worse.

Head pain can be caused specifically by the muscles on the front and side of your neck getting too overworked - the sternocleidomastoids. Other muscles can be at fault also but this muscle is pretty easy to reach and massage on yourself, and it might help with some pain once the headache has already started. If you're interested I can see if I can find any youtube videos on SCM self-massage, I'm not sure I can explain it well in just words.

I hope you find some relief soon!

[SpottedBackson]

like a lot of other people I expect it's not your hair that's causing the headaches. If you get them frequently, though, there probably is something causing them. It could be tense muscles in your neck or something more serious. I'd see a doctor if they are so common for you.

[SpottedBackson]

. If a headache is coming up I also feel nauseated, and I am extremely sensitive to light, noise, people in general, touch, smell, being too hot/cold etc. Everything is simply too much to handle. In that state I also struggle with the (relative) weight of my hair. In a non-headache state my hair can be annoying, but thats something else.


In the mean time: do you have suggestions to deal with hair during a headache, if it is not possible to simply go to bed?


Oh dear. This sounds like migraines. There's really nothing you can do except go to bed in my experience with them. I'm sure you can address the causes but not when it's already started.

[hennalove]

Ok, thanks a lot. I will keep a log for some weeks and try to identify more specific triggers.
I take as little Ibuprofen as I can. I could alo use Paracetamol but it isn't as effective as Ibu.
However, I need some real painkiller if I am already in the headache-state. I just can't and don't want to live with that kind of pain. I'm not really sure what you mean with a more natural approach. Avoiding stress / stuff that stresses one out too much? Making sure to get enough sleep and rest?

I use a wide variety of natural approaches including meditation, exercise, aromatherapy, netti pot, ice pack, ginger (nausea), turmeric (inflammation), herbal teas and etc. Headaches have so many causes so knowing what triggers them is key. It could be something as simple as eye strain or a scent or neck muscle or dietary or even hormonal. That's why a log is so important when trying to figure out what is causing them. If I needed pain relief I would use curcurmin (active ingredient in turmeric) or willow bark (works like aspirin without the negative side effects).

[maborosi]

Laura1986, it sounds like you have migraines. I have chronic migraines (without treatment I have 1-2 headache-free days per month). Funny, I was actually diagnosed when my hair was around hip length.
I've had people try to tell me that hair length can cause migraines. I actually went from knee to BSL, and, well, my migraines didn't improve...But that's because they're a neurological problem.
Hairstyles can definitely aggravate headaches, much like light or sound in my experience. When I have a problem I usually just wear my hair in a simple braid, not close to my scalp, and something that lets me sleep.
Hope you find some relief for your headaches. Mine usually start in the morning when I wake up, or after I eat.

[Laura1986]

Thank you all for your replies, it means so much to me <3

I have been paying more attention to (body) signals with the intent of logging. This resulted in getting rest a bit more often / sooner, and I haven't had a headache this week :)
For the next year I plan to get it checked out by a neurologist, just to make sure nothing more serious is going on. (I also have a lot of trouble with dizziness that seems stress-related as well)

[shelomit]

Thank you all for your replies, it means so much to me <3

I have been paying more attention to (body) signals with the intent of logging. This resulted in getting rest a bit more often / sooner, and I haven't had a headache this week :)
For the next year I plan to get it checked out by a neurologist, just to make sure nothing more serious is going on. (I also have a lot of trouble with dizziness that seems stress-related as well)

Glad that you are feeling a little better <3 And I hope the appointment with the neurologist goes very well!

[Groovy Granny]

My scalp is very sensitive; just laying my head on a pillow hurts some nights.
The length of my hair doesn't cause pain until I am past hip, so WL-Hip is best for me...any longer and then it feels heavy and causes discomfort.

When I do have headaches, half ups or nape ponytails with a LOOSE hair tie helps.

I would talk to your doctor as well, rather than waiting for a specialist....or see the specialist sooner.

I have spinal issues and muscle spasms were detected on xrays; the doc suggested therapy or self massages.

I bought a neck and back massager and my migraines have lessened considerably.

I also tended to UNDER MEDICATE due to asthma and stomach issues with NSAIDS, or liver/kidney function concerns with aleve or tylenol.

Here again your doc can evaluate your condition and needs and suggest safe relief for you; I upped my doses safely and got relief.

Please....do NOT wait as long as I did to get an eval :p

I am happy you are seeing some progress; others have given great suggestions.

Feel better soon :pray: