External compression headache is caused by any type of headwear.

This includes headwear that places pressure on the head — including tight hats, helmets, headbands, wigs and other artificial hair accessories, headphones and goggles.

These headaches can be brought on by such innocuous sources as wearing a halter top (presses against the neck), earplugs (presses against the jaw and inner ear), or wearing even a tiny hair clip (compresses the scalp).

However, once symptoms arise and the trigger is removed, triptan-type migraine treatment is effective.

This article about a medical condition affecting the nervous system is a stub.