It can sound an over-simplification but before you can light upon a remedy for migraine you need to become a detective and ascertain what is causing it. Do you know what your migraine trigger is? Read on to discover an unusual one.
There are many possible causes of migraine, and sometimes they are dietary. But when asked which foods are most commonly suspected of triggering migraines, most people will confidently suggest "red wine, chocolate and cheese".
They may be surprised to read that as long ago as 1979 in a study on migraine and food intolerances published in the prestigious Lancet, eggs were amongst the most common foods implicated as problematic.
Actually, eggs are one of the most prevalent allergens. They are also one of the most reliable to test for - unlike other foods.
However, egg is in many food items, from baked goods to cake icing, and it is false that cooking renders it safe! Children with migraines are commonly allergic to eggs plus at least two other trigger foods, and can gain relief simply by eliminating these foods from their diet. However, since eggs are an important source of protein, they should not be excluded from the diet unless you are sure they're causing you difficulties. A food intolerance test or trial exclusion for three weeks should give you enough evidence to have a meaningful discussion with your qualified health professional as to whether exclusion will be beneficial.
A more unexpected place where egg is found is in vaccines. Measures have been taken to combat exposure to egg by deriving the vaccines from embryos, but fresh developments appear to show that even minimal exposure to chicken products of any sort could be dangerous.
For those who are very sensitive even inhalation could be dangerous. Workers in a confectionery factory inhaling the powdered egg white present in the decorative icing suffered asthmatic attacks, so exposure to an egg allergen is probable even when you are not eating eggs!
Egg white can even be found in vaginal suppositories or in nappy rash ointment, and if an allergic reaction as severe as asthma or anaphylactic shock is possible, why not a migraine?
The unfortunate thing about small children and food allergies is their inability to explain the point that something is wrong. Also, misdiagnosis is common, caused by the inability of parents or doctors to accurately record symptoms.
A child who has consumed ice cream and frequently suffered a migraine afterwards could be allergic to the milk or the eggs in the product, and a firm determination is necessary to define which it is.
Eggs are such a strong allergen that often doctors recommend not serving eggs to children under two, as once an allergen is triggered, the body can build up a memory around it and it may cause you more problems down the line.
There are several foods that if avoided or given very infrequently can prevent a red flag going up in a child's immune system. Eggs are a bit of a conundrum, what with the yolk and the white - recently, studies have shown that while the yolk of the egg is high in cholesterol, the white contains the means to combat it.
Normally, after 12 months with no adverse effects, you can begin to reintroduce foods one at a time. If migraines return, you will know you hit on a major trigger, and do your best to avoid it in the future.
Eggs are good for you - except when they're not!