Migraines triggered by smells
Have had migraines since high school, now 62. Worst trigger for me for years has been smells (perfume, cologne, dryer sheets, smoke, etc.) My sister (who lives in Indiana and I live in Michigan) showed up at my house last week. Has a reunion later that evening so stopped by for a visit (Haven't seen or heard from her in years). Told her when she called I can't have anyone scented in my house and she said "all she put on was deodorant". The smell of dryer sheets coming off her clothes was so strong even sitting outside the entire 4 hours she was over. It even gave my husband a headache. So tired of telling people the same thing over and over and them not even realizing all of the things they use on themselves and their homes that will trigger severe headache, nausea, vomiting, etc.
That's a great point, @amp254! People don't even think about it, but everything around us is scented. We may not have used perfume/cologne, but out detergent, fabric softener, lotion, toothpaste/mouthwash, dish detergent, often even our vacuum cleaners are scented. - Warmly, Donna (team member)
Those are the worst - at first I didn't make the connection and would buy them, put them in the front hallway, only to realize a day later migraine kicked in and in the worst pain imaginable. My daughter was the one who said she couldn't take the smell and ever since, we avoid any store with cinnamon brooms or pinecones. Definitely a trigger in our household. Rebecca (community advocate) 
I don't even have migraines and those brooms are just TOO MUCH. I see them at the grocery store and the scent is overwhelming, even outdoors! It's a shame, because I enjoy cinnamon ... just not that much. 😛 -Melissa, migraine.com team
My migraine also triggers when I smelled strong perfume but I still continue my sessions at Brisbane Migraine here in Brisbane and looking forward to having a life free from migraine.
@chlmrie strong scents can surely trigger an attack for many of us. The sensory overload can just be too much for our brains to process sometimes. It can make life difficult. I'm glad to hear you are getting treatment in Brisbane. It's important to get the best help available to us so we can get on with our lives while managing migraine disease. I hope you achieve your treatment goals! Warmly, Cheryl migraine.com team
Only certain smells can trigger migraines for me. My husband, no matter how many times I tell/ask him just doesn't seem to get it. He loves to on the cool nights which we don't have too many here in SWFL, he likes to have a fire in the pit that he built. The smoke into the house and that is all I can smell and I always end up with a migraine that can last for days. Gasoline is a big trigger too. One time we went to Ohio for Thanksgiving when I was younger and dad was filling up the tank and got a few drops on his work boots and instant migraine. I got my first on at 12 and I'm now 64. I can handle most perfumes except when the scents get strong.
No, they have gotten worse as I've gotten older. But I think they very first one I ever had at 12 was the worst of all. I couldn't even move my head without screaming. Our family doctor had to come to the house to treat me. 
That sounds terrifying. Although part of me wonders if you remember it as your worst because you'd never experienced that kind of pain before and after that you grew to know what to expect? Whatever the case, it sounds horrific! Warmly- Holly (migraine.com team).
No, my migraines have worsened as I have gotten older.
That must be difficult to have been living with migraine for many years only to have them get worse. I can see how you've become more and more aware of the different things within people's homes and what they put on like perfumes. And it's probably so frustrating to have to keep reminding those close to you how these things really can trigger your migraine. - Jake (Team Member)
