Strong Perfumes That Trigger Migraines

Strong odors such as cologne and perfume can cause a person’s blood vessels to swell and dilate, which then stimulates nerve pathways in the brain associated with head pain. In people who are sensitive to smells, this vascular and nerve response can start soon after exposure to a powerful scent. Once triggered, these changes can lead to tension headaches or full-blown migraines. For some, simply walking past someone wearing heavy fragrance is enough to set off throbbing pain that lasts for hours.

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