Odors and Scents Can Trigger Headaches
Updated: Jul 15, 2025
PERFUMES AND OTHER CHEMICALS AS A CAUSE OF HEADACHES “OSMOPHOBIA”
WHEN SMELLS HURT
Is the person sitting next to you causing your headaches? Perhaps it is their cologne or perfume. Odor-triggered headaches are fairly common. Other common triggers include cigarette smoke, fumes from cleaning products, cars, candles, incense, air fresheners (sadly, sometimes the things that can help make people feel better), and, occasionally, the smell of certain foods, like fried fish, garlic, and even onions, can cause headaches.
Once in a while, the smell that is causing the headaches is imagined. These types of olfactory “hallucinations” are often associated with migraine auras (see migraines below) and are caused by anxiety. It can be accompanied by allodynia (oversensitivity to physical stimulation/touch).
Headaches due to chemicals typically occur after 15 minutes (or longer) of exposure. Once the stimulus is removed, the headache usually goes away within minutes to hours.
Osmophobia often appears when the sinus becomes irritated or when chemicals induce vasodilation within the brain. Again, vasodilation causes pressure on the adjacent nerves, causing a headache.
When Smells Hurt: How Odors and Scents Trigger Headaches
General Recommendations for Treatment
Treatment typically targets the underlying cause
Try to identify and avoid the trigger; environmental management
Air out the area
Use air purifiers with charcoal filters
Various therapies: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) - especially in anxiety
Relaxation techniques: guided imagery, deep breathing. meditation and others
Try masking the smell with essential oils or air fresheners
Considered Natural and Supplemental Remedies
Peppermint oil (diffused) has been known to help
Prescriptive Treatment
If you discover that you have a major problem with osmophobia, and have exhausted other approaches mentioned in the above blog, When Odors and Scents Trigger Headaches, you may want to consult a physician to try medication to curb the problem. Some medications more commonly prescribed for this problem include the following:
Phenytoin (Dilantin)
Gabapentin
Triptans (commonly used for migraines)
Not sure where your headaches are coming from? Explore other potential causes, over-the-counter, herbal, supplemental approaches, and prescriptive treatments HERE
