External compression headaches

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

External compression headaches can occur when any head wear puts continuous pressure on your forehead or scalp.

Common culprits of external compression headaches include tight hats, helmets, headbands and goggles. These headaches are sometimes known by other names that are specific to the type of equipment causing your headache, such as "swim-goggle headache" or "football-helmet headache."

With external compression headaches, the solution is as obvious as the cause. Simply remove the head wear causing the pressure.

References
  1. External compression headache. International Headache Society. http://ihs-classification.org/en/02_klassifikation/04_teil3/13.10.00_facialpain.html. Accessed Oct. 5, 2011.
  2. Krymchantowski AV. Headaches due to external compression. Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2010;14:321.
DS00642 Jan. 17, 2012

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

Print Share Reprints

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger