Anything that compresses your head — such as goggles, helmets, and headbands — can lead to a compression headache. Yet compression headaches are not particularly common.
A compression headache is a type of headache that starts when you wear something tight across your forehead or scalp. Hats, goggles, and headbands are common items that can cause a compression headache.
These headaches are sometimes referred to as external compression headaches since they involve pressure from something outside your body.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms of a compression headache, why they happen, and what you can do for relief.
A compression headache feels like intense pressure coupled with moderate pain. You’ll feel the most pain in the part of your head that’s under pressure. If you’re wearing goggles, for example, you might feel pain across the front of your forehead or near your temples.
Compression headaches are often easy to recognize because they usually start within an hour of putting something on your head. And the pain tends to increase the longer you wear the item.
Other signs of a compression headache include:
- pain that’s steady, not pulsing
- no other symptoms, such as nausea or dizziness
- pain that goes away within an hour of removing the source of pressure
Compression headaches can turn into a migraine episode for people who are prone to migraine attacks. Symptoms of a migraine episode include:
- throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head
- sensitivity to light, sound, and sometimes touch
- nausea or vomiting
- blurred vision
Learn more about the difference between a headache and a migraine.
A compression headache starts when a tight object placed on or around your head puts pressure on nerves under your skin. They often affect the trigeminal and occipital nerves, which are cranial nerves that send signals from your brain to your face and the back of your head.
Anything that presses on your forehead or scalp can cause a compression headache, including these types of headgear:
- football, hockey, or baseball helmets
- police or military helmets
- hard hats used for construction
- swim or protective goggles
- headbands
- tight hats
While everyday objects can cause compression headaches, these headaches aren’t that common. Only about
People who regularly wear helmets for work or sports are more likely to develop compression headaches. For example, a study involving Danish service members found that up to
People who might be more likely to get compression headaches include:
- police officers
- construction workers
- members of the military
- football, hockey, and baseball players
You may also be
- are female
- get migraine attacks
In addition, some people are just more sensitive than others to pressure on their head.
Generally, you don’t need to see a doctor for compression headaches. The pain usually goes away once you remove the source of pressure.
But if you find that the pain keeps coming back, even when you’re not wearing anything on your head, make an appointment with your doctor. They may ask you some of the following questions during your appointment:
- When did the headaches start?
- How long have you been having them?
- What were you doing when they started?
- Were you wearing anything on your head when they started? What were you wearing?
- Where is the pain located?
- What does it feel like?
- How long does the pain last?
- What makes the pain worse? What makes it better?
- What other symptoms, if any, do you have?
Based on your answers, they may do some of the following tests to rule out any underlying causes of your headaches:
Compression headaches are some of the easiest headaches to treat. Once you remove the source of pressure, your pain should ease up within an hour.
If you get compression headaches that turn into migraine episodes, you can try over-the-counter medications, such as:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- migraine relievers that contain acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine (Excedrin Tension Headache)
You can also ask your doctor about prescription migraine medications, such as triptans and ergots.
Compression headaches are relatively easy to treat. Once you relieve the source of pressure by taking off the hat, headband, helmet, or goggles, the pain should go away.
To avoid these headaches in the future, avoid wearing tight hats or headgear unless absolutely necessary. If you do need to wear a helmet or goggles for safety reasons, make sure they fit well.
Your headgear should be snug enough to protect your head but not too tight that it causes pressure or pain.