When I first began to experience chronic migraines, my top priority was to find ways to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Like many other women who experience migraines, I have a number of preventative measures that I follow as diligently as possible. For example, consistently getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, reducing my alcohol intake and going to weekly acupuncture appointments helps manage my condition — but the bottom line is that migraines still strike, often at the most inconvenient times. At that point, the key is to ease the painful symptoms as much as possible until the attack passes.
I’m far from alone — over 38 million Americans experience migraines, and, for between two and three million sufferers, the condition is chronic. Although migraines don’t discriminate, they disproportionately affect women — 18 percent of American women report experiencing migraines compared to six percent of men. Migraine sufferers have unique pain and symptoms that require special care and accommodation. From soothing essential oils to my trusty ice pad, I keep my apartment stocked with products that help ease my migraine symptoms and I make sure to pack them every time I travel, even if it’s just an overnight trip.
Everyone is different and based on my many conversations with other migraine sufferers, there are a wide range of products that can help make a migraine attack less excruciating. We spoke to women who experience migraines about the items they can’t live without. Here are nine products real women with migraines swear by.
Tiger Balm
“I love tiger balm for the numbing effect on pressure points. I’ve had migraine [attacks] since I was a kid.” —JM, 42
Tiger Balm Pain Relieving Ointment, $7.79 at Walgreens
Cooling Eye Mask
“My go-to is a cooling eye mask. It blocks out the light and the cooling effect is really soothing.” —Alicia, 27
IMAK Compression Pain Relief Mask and Eye Pillow, $12.99 at Amazon
Aromatherapy Humidifier
“I couldn’t live without my aromatherapy humidifier. I use peppermint, spearmint and lavender oils and the scents are really soothing. Plus, anything that helps keep me hydrated makes a migraine pass more quickly.” —Kate, 29
ASAKUKI Essential Oil Diffuser, 5 In 1 Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Fragrant Oil Vaporizer Humidifier, $24.99 at Amazon
Blue Light Blocking Glasses
“I put them on when I feel a migraine coming, or wear them often during months when blue light, a component of sunlight, is more prevalent. There are times of the year when [blue light] is more prevalent. For me, the sun’s rays bother my vestibular system more in the fall months (around October and November). But blue light is also emitted from manmade products, like flat-screen TVs, smart phones, and fluorescent lights. So if I notice a migraine starting, I avoid blue light-emitting things, or I at least put on the filtering glasses.”
—Lauren, 34
Classic TheraSpecs Glasses, $99 at TheraSpecs
Ice Packs
“Ice packs are the only thing that provide me relief during a migraine attack. I wrap my head in a wearable ice pack and lie down in a dark room until the migraine passes.” —Emily, 32
Migraine Head Wrap With ICE Pack, $31.95 at I.C.E. DOWN
Biolyte
“I’ve recently found a new product I like for migraine nausea, called Biolyte. I have to drink it the minute I feel one coming on or it’s too late, but this really helps.” —Jennifer, 40
BIOLYTE 12-Pack, $35.88 at Amazon
Halo Wand
“Saje’s halo roller [a blend of peppermint, lavender, and rosemary https://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/videos/2046525/on-the-first-episode-of-wine-gyn-dr-logan-levkoff-spills-on-sex-talks-sex-advice/], that you can roll on your head, helps with the pain. In addition to the oils, it has a cooling effect and the fact that it’s an all-natural product puts my mind at ease because I prefer to use natural remedies whenever possible.” — Maggie, 36
Peppermint Halo Wand, $26.95 at Saje
iFlux
“This has saved my eyeballs. Based on your location, it slowly yellows the screen as the sun goes down. It even reminds you, ‘You’re waking up in nine hours’ (or however long). When I’m doing tons of writing, I use darkroom mode. It completely gets ride of blue light so the whole screen is just red and black. Seriously, I instantly noticed a change in my eye health.” — Syd, 26
f.lux, Free at f.lux
Migraine Hat
“Using regular ice packs during a migraine can be really inconvenient, especially if you need to be upright or if you can’t get the ice pack to stay in a place on your head where you need it to be. The migraine hat makes sure your entire head is covered in ice packs and makes sure they stay put, so you can get up and go about your business or you can lay down and pull it over your eyes when the migraine gets really bad. It’s a game changer.” — Nicole, 28
Migraine Hat, $34.99 at Amazon.com
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