Do you know someone who suffers from migraines? Migraines are surprisingly prevalent, affecting one in every seven people. A migraine is the third most common disease in the world. It is almost guaranteed you will encounter someone who gets migraines every time you ride a bus, use a busy public bathroom or enter a classroom. What you may not know is that you can have a huge impact on their daily lives.
What is a migraine?
A migraine is not just a headache. While a painful, throbbing headache is often the main feature of a migraine, other symptoms include vomiting, disturbed vision and extreme sensitivity to light, sound and smells. There are many possible triggers for migraines, and triggers vary between individuals. Most events and factors that can trigger a migraine can also make one worse. Common triggers include stress, lack of sleep, skipped meals, dehydration, strong scents, bright lights and loud noise. For every trigger that is beyond our control, such as one's menstrual cycle and changes in weather, there is a trigger that can be avoided, such as intense physical activity and alcohol. However, there are certain triggers only you can control.
How kind, aware people can help
For many migraine sufferers, perfume and cologne can be major triggers. Other products, such as strong deodorant, aftershave and scented lotion, can also be triggers. Unfortunately, these scents are some of the hardest to avoid. Some days, walking into a classroom feels like walking into a minefield. Of all the olfactory triggers I have dealt with, perfume has resulted in the most migraines. Sometimes a single whiff of a particularly strong perfume is all it takes to render me incapable of focusing or being productive for the next few hours. Some migraines, once triggered, can even last a few days. It is frustrating to have done everything in my own power to prevent a migraine and then spend the rest of my day with a throbbing skull because of something that someone else is wearing. When someone puts on a scent, they understand that the smell will be affecting those around them (hopefully for the best). They just may not be aware of the far-reaching, unintended consequences of those effects.
I am not writing this to dissuade anyone from wearing whatever scent they want to wear on their own time. Variety is the spice of life, after all. I am here to ask you to consider the amount and the intensity of the product you use, particularly before entering a crowded public space. Students and employees do not have the option of leaving work or class to avoid a triggering scent. We all have to occupy the same space for a few hours, and it would be marvelous if everyone could be more aware of the triggers they risk contributing to that space. Women are three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men are. Ladies (and gentlemen), let’s help each other out.
Other olfactory triggers include wet nail polish and nail polish remover as well as marijuana and cigarette smoke. The same idea of shared public airspace should apply with these scents. If there is anything you can do to reduce the intensity of the scent you bring in with you (whether that involves smoking in an open-air space, waiting to smoke until class or work is over or changing clothes and showering after smoking) your efforts would be appreciated.
In order to be considerate of those around you, please try to do the following.
1. Avoid wearing especially strong perfume, or applying a lot of it, when you know you will be in a close work environment or classroom. If at all possible, wait to apply these products until the class or work shift is over. The same goes for scented lotions, aftershave and deodorant.
2. Do not spray or apply perfumes and other scented products in shared spaces (classrooms, buses, shared workspace, public bathrooms).
3. If someone has to wear their sunglasses in class to deal with the glare from the florescent lights, don’t give them a hard time.
4. If your roommate is having a migraine, try to be understanding. Lower the volume on the TV and turn down the lights.
5. Do not apply nail polish or polish remover in classrooms, at work or on buses.
Migraines are painful, long-lasting and debilitating. No cure exists today, and those who suffer from migraines will deal with them for the rest of their lives. I hope this article leads to greater understanding and promotes new consideration for the impact triggers can have. Your kindness can make a huge difference in our lives.
