Almost everyone experiences it at some point, but some people deal with it seasonally or chronically.
There are many types of rhinitis.
Co-Occurrence
Multiple studies have found that migraine is more common in people who have rhinitis and/or allergies.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
For example, a 2014 study inCephalalgiaexamined the potential link between migraines and rhinitis.
In the study, of the 6,000 questionnaire respondents who reported having migraines, 67% also had rhinitis.
In fact, the majority of sinus headaches are actually migraines.
Do migraines trigger or worsen symptoms of rhinitis and/or allergies or vice versa?
No one really knows, but here are a few of the theories.
Inflammation
These conditions involve inflammatory processes, which may help explain why they often occur together.
Overall, more studies are needed to better understand this link.
Remember: A link implies a possible relationship or association.
It doesn’t mean that one medical condition directly causes another.
Medications
For allergic rhinitis, treatments like over-the-counternasal spraysand antihistamines might be all you need.
Treating
non-allergic rhinitis usually involves prescription nasal sprays.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend over-the-counter decongestants and saline nasal sprays.
Additionally, what you may be self-diagnosing as a sinus headache may, in fact, be a migraine.
2014;34(5):336-48. doi:10.1177/0333102413512031
American Migraine Foundation.Sinus headaches.
May 27, 2016.
2013;29(2):528531. doi:10.12669/pjms.292.3148
