Dipping your face in ice water can help migraines

A trending quick solution? Immerse your head in ice water.

Evidence suggests that ice water may have an anti-inflammatory effect that moves blood away from the head by shrinking blood vessels, but little is known about the underlying mechanism that makes this possible. “Although some patients report headache relief with cold compresses, no evidence-based data support this benefit,” says Pamela Youssef, MD, a neurologist HCA Florida Aventura Hospital in Florida. “On the contrary, other studies also indicate that cold water may be a potential trigger for headaches.”

That doesn’t stop people from trying: a comprehensive 2013 study published in the Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health indicates that cold therapy is the most common over-the-counter treatment for migraines.

“The use of cold therapy for headaches was first described in the medical literature in 1849,” says Lars Widdel, MD, a neurosurgeon at the Mercy Medical Center in Redding, California.

The results are decidedly mixed. “The direct application of cold to the head with cold wraps or caps reduces headache intensity in up to 70 percent of patients with migraine,” says Dr. Widdel. ‘Almost one in ten [say] applying cold to their head will stop the headache – conversely, one in ten patients also report that exposure to cold will cause or worsen their headache.”

Why ice water power help your migraines

There are several theories about why cold therapy works for some people, and it is likely a combination of several effects. “Cold reduces the release of histamines and prostaglandins responsible for inflammatory processes, thereby acting as an anti-inflammatory agent,” says Dr. Widdel. He adds that cold can also constrict blood vessels, which could be helpful because “migraines are often thought to result from the dilation of blood vessels,” he says.

Moreover, the cold can also simply limit the functioning of our body senses Pain: “Cold can overwhelm the pain receptors and block the transmission of pain from reaching the cerebral cortex,” he says. The Mayo Clinic notes that ice packs have a numbing effect that can soothe migraine pain (while warm compresses and heating pads can relax tense muscles).

The best ways to benefit from cold water in real life

There are several ways to use cold water to relieve migraine pain. “A common method is to apply a cold compress or wrap a few ice cubes in a towel and place them on the forehead or back of the neck for several minutes. Other options include frozen gel packs or a washcloth soaked in cold water,” says Dr. Widdel. However, medical experts recommend never applying ice to the skin’s surface for more than 15 to 20 minutes; remove the cold compress as soon as you feel your skin is numb. “Immersing the face in cold water for a few minutes can also relieve symptoms,” adds Dr. Widdel. (Make sure you come up for air!)

When it comes to migraines, therapies like these can be effective early on, but this diminishes once the migraine is complete. So don’t wait if you know a cold is something that works for you.

And remember: cold water isn’t effective for everyone, so if you don’t feel any effects, seek better treatment. Even if you feel like it helps, know that it only provides temporary relief. Anyone with migraines should consult a medical provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.