Headbands have made a comeback since the Blair Waldorf era [1], and we can't deny they;re serving up looks — and for some, headaches, too.
But, what you might not have known is that headbands can actually cause two types of headaches [2]: tension headaches and migraines brought on by allodynia.
According to Dr. Molly Rossknecht, MD, a neurologist and medical adviser to WeatherX [3], allodynia is the triggering of a pain response by a non-painful stimulation, causing a dull, achy, sharp, or burning discomfort around the head. And get this: headbands (and hats!) can induce this condition whether they are tight-fitting or light and loose!
Those prone to migraines can also be prone to having allodynia, noted Dr. Rossknecht.
Once a migraine begins [4], one may experience associated symptoms like light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.
If a headband is too tight around the hairline or pulling on the scalp or forehead for multiple hours, it could also cause a tension headache [6], Dr. Rossknecht explained. With tension headaches, the irritation is usually focused in a band-like fashion wrapping around the forehead, sometimes involving neck pain.
If you're not willing to sacrifice your headband despite the risk of discomfort, Dr. suggested looser fitting options — preferable cloth and not teethed ones that dig into the scalp. Headbands that tie underneath your hair, so you can adjust as needed, might be a better option, she sayid.
Regardless of what type of headband you gravitate towards, you should avoid wearing them all day, as it might trigger pain [7]. And if you feel your scalp pulling at your forehead, that likely means that it's too tight.
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