Why does even 5 minutes of sun cause headache - and 10 mins cause nausea?

Dear fellow migraine sufferers,

I experience the same sensitivities and have visited several different medical specialists. When I spend more than 30 mins in the sun - even if I'm skiing or surfing/swimming, so cold or hot - I get severe headaches in the front of my head and sometimes nausea. Here's what I've learned in the past few years.

1. Intense sun and dry weather. I grew up in the northeast and never experienced this problem until I moved to LA a few years ago. Even now when I visit the northeast in the middle of a hot and humid summer, I don't experience this problem. The sun in LA is much more intense (closer to the equator) and the weather is very dry. Dry weather increases your eye's sensitivity. Which makes sense because I see a remarkable difference between when I'm wearing contact lenses or glasses. With contact lenses, my eyes are already drier and I almost always get the headaches in the sun. With regular glasses, my eyes are more moist, and I sometimes get away with avoiding the headaches. So dry weather and intense sunlight are one cause of migraines. It's not the heat for me (I love saunas and never experiences headaches there).

2. Polarized sunglasses and hat. While these do help (I invested in $200 ray-ban polarized sunglasses), I still get headaches even when I'm out with sunglasses and a hat. I read above that someone suggested black plastic sunglasses, and I think he/she is right. I have a cheap, disposable pair that I got at some pool party and they are so dark and thick, I don't get headaches when I wear those. It may be because they are thicker, I don't know, but I need to buy a few more.

3. Pain relievers. If I take any kind of medication with IB profin in advance or going out in the sun or right when the pain starts, then I'm good. But if I wait until the pain has set in, it will take hours to heal. Because this pain is responsive to IB profin, it means that muscles are involved. For me, I feel it in my eye muscles and feel like the pain comes from squinting. I don't think, for example, that I will get these headaches if I have my eyes closed and am out in the sun. And just like other posts above, I can even get these headaches if I'm in a home that very bright. I often get it in the car.

4. Solutions. I'd love to hear more about what has worked for other people - besides wearing a hat and polarized sunglasses and staying hydrated. One doctor recently told me that Butter-bur (sold at health food stores) helps with migraines. I may try accupuncture soon.

Yours truly,
Migraines in LA

I've had sun induced headaches for a long time, but I think I just found the culprit while on vacation in Hawaii. It's chemical sunscreens! I switched to a non-nano, zinc oxide sunscreen and my headaches and slight nausea have cleared up completely. I'm amazed. Of course I still wear a hat, sunglasses, and seek shade whenever possible. The best ones I've found are Badger brand, Loving Naturals, and Raw Elements. In most cases these are available in health food stores. The only downside is you have to rub them in to get rid of the white tint, but it's well worth the effort to have a sun filled day with no headache. One other great tip is to freeze a bottle of water and then apply that when your head starts to get hot. It works wonders pressed against your eyes. I hope this information helps someone.

Same problem here. I thought I was a vampire!
I love you guys! I may not be damed to walk the earth for ever!
Really, thanks.

My husband has these same issues but I am sure he is not dehydrated because he makes sure he is drinking while he is out in the sun. The thing that confuses me is for him these symptoms follow a recent Leiden Factor V diagnosis (blood clotting disorder) so I wondered if it was a side effect to his meds but the doctor said no.....I just don't understand where the sudden sensitivity came from.