Do Scented Candles Cause Headaches? Understanding the Link

Do Candles Cause Headaches? Examining the Link Between Candles and Headaches

Scented candles are popular home decor items and can help set the ambiance in any room. However, some people claim that the fragrances emitted from certain candles may actually trigger headaches and migraines. So do candles cause headaches?

Candles contain various chemical compounds to produce scent that can become airborne when burned. Research shows some of these emitted compounds may provoke headaches in sensitive individuals when inhaled. But the likelihood depends on the specific ingredients, fragrance type, ventilation, duration of exposure and a person's sensitivity.

How Candle Fragrances Are Made

Candle fragrances are created by blending ingredients like synthetic aroma chemicals, essential oils and natural plant extracts into proprietary fragrance formulas. These mixtures of ingredients are what produce the scented aromas.

Common synthetic aroma chemicals include:

• Phthalates Enhances scent intensity and longevity
• Terpenes Provides floral, pine and citrus scents
• Esters Emits fruity odors
• Aldehydes Adds a clean/soapy scent

Essential oils extracted from plants are also major components of candle fragrances. Some examples are lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, tea tree oil and peppermint oil among others.

These synthetic chemicals and essential oils get blended in different proportions to create the unique fragrances of various scented candles. While pleasant to many people, some of the volatile organic compounds released can trigger headaches.

Scents That Commonly Cause Headaches

Although any scent can provoke headaches in sensitive people, some specific fragrance chemicals and essential oils are more notorious offenders, including:

• Limonene Citrus scent chemical
• Alpha-pinene Chemical emitting pine odor
• Linalool Floral fragrance found in lavender and cinnamon
• Eugenol Spicy, clove-like aroma chemical
• Citronellol Sweet, rosy, geranium-like scent
• Benzaldehyde Almond odor chemical

When it comes to essential oils, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemon, and orange oils are frequent headache triggers. But any potent extract can cause problems for sensitive people.

Other Candle Ingredients That May Contribute

In addition to synthetic fragrances and essential oils, other volatile chemicals emitted from burning candles could play a role in headaches, including:

• Acetaldehyde Irritant released from melting wax
• Formaldehyde Combustion byproduct
• Benzene Possible carcinogen from burning wicks
• Toluene Toxic solvent from scented wax
• Pesticide residues In waxes or oils

Paraffin wax, commonly used in candles, can release some potentially hazardous chemicals when burned, especially if ventilation is poor. Soy, beeswax and other natural waxes may produce less irritants.

How Candle Fragrances May Trigger Headaches

Researchers have identified a few ways scent compounds emitted from candles could potentially spur headaches:

• Binding pain receptors Compounds may activate trigeminal nerve pain pathways
• Vasodilation Chemicals cause blood vessels in the brain to expand
• Neurotoxicity Direct damage to neurons and brain tissue
• Oxidative stress Fragrance chemicals promote inflammation

This explains why some scents consistently provoke headaches in those susceptible while others do not have the same effect.

Types of Headaches Candles Can Cause

Certain candle fragrances may trigger various kinds of headache disorders:

Migraines

Migraine is a neurological disease that can cause severe throbbing headaches and other symptoms. Migraine attacks may be brought on by exposure to strong odors from scented candles.

Allergy Headaches

Inhaling airborne allergens like fragrance chemicals can prompt allergy headache. Symptoms may include pain, nasal congestion, watery eyes and sinus pressure.

Asthma Headaches

Headaches are common in people with asthma. Candle fumes may instigate asthma flare ups and associated headaches.

Sinus Headaches

The sinus areas behind the forehead and face can become inflamed from irritants like candle scents. This often results in sinus pressure, pain and headaches.

Tension Headaches

Inhalation of candle fragrances may cause stress responses, anxiety and muscular tension capable of triggering tension-type headaches.

So candles can spur an assortment of headache types depending on a person's physiology and symptom patterns.

Risk Factors: Who is Most Vulnerable to Candle-Triggered Headaches?

While any person may potentially get headaches from scented candles, certain groups seem especially vulnerable based on health status, genetics and environmental sensitivities:

People With Migraines or Headache Disorders

Those diagnosed with migraine disease, cluster headaches, sinus headaches and other chronic headache disorders tend to be more susceptible to scent triggers.

People With Allergies or Asthma

Individuals with respiratory conditions like allergies, asthma and sinusitis are more prone to have headaches and attacks when exposed to airborne irritants.

People With Chemical Sensitivities

Those with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or environmental illness often react to very low levels of synthetic fragrance compounds.

Pregnant Women

Hormonal shifts during pregnancy can change smell sensitivities, making pregnant women more prone to headaches from odors.

People Prone to Headaches

Frequent headache sufferers of any type tend to have lower thresholds for triggers that include smoke, odor and other environmental stimuli.

But even people without diagnosed conditions can experience occasional headaches from strong scents if exposure occurs in a small space or lasts for a long duration.

Steps to Prevent Candle-Induced Headaches

Here are some tips to help minimize or avoid headaches caused by scented candles:

Choose Unscented Candles

Opting for odorless, fragrance-free candles can eliminate scent triggers. Beeswax and soy candles tend to have subtler aromas.

Avoid Problem Fragrances

Assess which scents consistently give you problems and avoid those specific candles. Common headache-provoking fragrances include lavender, eucalyptus, citrus and florals.

Use Better Ventilation

Burn candles only in well-ventilated rooms with open windows or fans to quickly disperse emitted compounds.

Keep Duration Short

Limit how many hours candles are burned to prevent prolonged fragrance exposure. Take breaks from being in the room.

Maintain Distance

Keep candles as far away as possible from seating areas or workspaces to reduce close-proximity inhalation.

Avoid Chemical Additives

Seek cleaner burning candles made with natural wax and lead-free, cotton wicks to reduce toxin exposure.

Medical Treatments For Candle-Induced Headaches

If you frequently get headaches from scented candle exposure, talk to your doctor. They may recommend treatment options including

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.