September 23, 2026 | Black & Kletz Allergy
So, have you been experiencing headaches recently? Does it feel like your sinuses are going to explode? Well, you are not alone. Although there are many causes of headaches, allergies and sinus disease are 2 fairly common causes of headaches. It is also quite common that allergies may cause sinus disease which then leads to headaches. Either way, if you are suffering from headaches, it might be advantageous for you to see a board certified allergist to rule out allergies as a cause.
It is first important to note that there are numerous causes of headaches that are not related to allergies at all. It is particularly important to seek the advice of your primary care provider or a neurologist if you have headaches in order to rule in or rule out other causes of headaches. Some non-allergic causes of headaches may include hypertension, dehydration, ENT (ear, nose, and throat) disorders, sinus infections, “colds,” “flu,” alcohol, certain foods (e.g., MSG, aged cheese, processed meats, caffeine, caffeine withdrawal), skipping meals, eye strain, lack of sleep, stress, tension, muscle strain, hormonal changes, migraines, certain medications, certain environmental triggers (e.g., loud noises, strong odors, bright lights, weather changes such as barometric pressure changes), and/or poor posture. There are also potentially serious non-allergic causes of headaches which may include head or neck injuries, meningitis (i.e., brain infection), inflamed blood vessels (e.g., temporal arteritis), brain tumors, and brain bleeding. It is also very important to seek urgent medical care for these potentially serious causes of headaches as well as for a sudden, extremely severe headache, or a headache accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, confusion, fainting, seizures, difficulty speaking, vision loss, high fever/stiff neck, and/or following a significant head injury.
Although headaches caused by allergies or sinus disease may not be the most common cause of headaches, they account for a significant portion of headaches. When someone is exposed to an environmental allergen that they are allergic to such as dust mites, molds, pollens, pet dander, or cockroaches, their mast cells release chemical mediators in response to the offending allergen. As a result, physiologic changes take place in that allergic inpidual consistent with an allergic reaction usually affecting the nose, throat, eyes, sinuses, and occasionally the lungs. Specifically, the mast cell release of the chemical mediators histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins may have a direct effect on these structures of the upper and lower respiratory system, as well as the eyes. The classic symptoms of exposure to an environmental allergen may include sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy nose, itchy mouth, itchy throat, itchy eyes, watery eyes, redness of the eyes, sinus pressure, sinus headaches, and/or snoring. Occasionally, one’s lungs may become involved, particularly is asthmatics where an inpidual may also experience chest tightness, coughing, wheezing, and/or shortness of breath.
The headaches are technically caused by the chemical mediators (e.g., histamine, leukotrienes) causing the nasal and sinus tissues to swell and produce more mucus. At the same time, the openings that drain the sinuses become narrowed or blocked. The mucus and pressure can build up in the sinus cavities, causing pressure and achiness around the forehead, cheeks, eyes, and/or nose. This discomfort can feel like a headache, especially when bending forward.
In addition to headaches caused by allergies, there are sinus conditions that cause headaches irrespective of whether there is an accompanying associated allergy. Some of these sinus conditions may include acute sinusitis (i.e., acute sinus infection of less than 4 weeks duration), chronic sinusitis (i.e., chronic sinus infection of more than 12 weeks duration), deviated septum (i.e., narrow drainage pathway caused by a crooked nasal septum which separates the left and right sides of your nose), nasal polyps (i.e., growths that can obstruct airflow and sinus drainage), concha bullosa (i.e., air-filled enlargement of one of the nasal turbinates inside the nose), and/or a mucocele (i.e., a mucus-filled, expanded sinus caused by blocked drainage).
One important note, many headaches that inpiduals call “sinus headaches” are actually migraine headaches. Migraines can cause facial pressure, nasal congestion, and watery eyes, so it may resemble sinus inflammation. Allergy-related sinus symptoms are more likely when the headache occurs alongside allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever) symptoms such as itchy eyes, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, and clear runny nose.
The board certified allergists at Black & Kletz Allergy diagnose and treat headaches caused by both allergic disorders as well as sinus disease. The allergy specialists treat both adult and pediatric patients as they have been doing for more than 50 years. Black & Kletz Allergy has 3 convenient locations in the Washington, DC metro area. We have offices in Washington, DC, McLean, VA (Tysons Corner, VA), and Manassas, VA which all offer on-site parking. The Washington, DC and McLean, VA locations are Metro accessible and there is a free shuttle that runs between the McLean, VA office and the Spring Hill metro station on the silver line. Please call us to make an appointment or you can click Request an Appointment, and we will reply within 24 hours by the next business day. The allergy professionals of Black & Kletz Allergy are eager to help you with your headaches or sinus pressure as well as any underlying allergic rhinitis (i.e., hay fever), asthma, sinus condition, and/or immune disorder you may have. We are dedicated to providing exceptional care to you as we have been doing in the Washington, DC metropolitan area for decades.
