Best Migraine Hats: Soothe Headaches with Cooling Relief

Overview

Nothing feels as bad as having a migraine attack and all you have left to do is curl yourself up in a corner and wait for the pains to subside. If you are one person who has experienced the pain of a migraine attack, then you know you will do anything to make the pain go away. Finding the right treatments for your migraine attacks can be challenging. Over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, and other pain relief drugs may offer a solution. However, the pain relief will not be instantaneous.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine by Donald D. Davis concluded that over-the-counter pain relief medication may offer relief from mild to moderate headaches and migraines temporarily.

Thankfully, cold therapy using migraine hats can help offer instant relief from the excruciating pains of migraines. Migraine hats are not necessarily hats; they can be wraps, bands, or eye masks. They are specifically designed with packs that can be frozen and then worn whenever you get a migraine attack. These cold gel packs offer instant relief and a cooling effect.

According to Dr. Eric Baron, a virtual headache specialist, migraines are a neurological condition that causes recurring headaches, often accompanied by vomiting or nausea. He further supports that migraine caps are revolutionary devices that offer instant relief from migraines in about 15 minutes.

Some people may prefer heat therapy for muscle relaxation whenever they have a migraine. It is important to note that some migraine hats come with an inbuilt temperature technology, which can either be warmed up or frozen for maximum benefits. Additionally, most hats are adjustable to provide a comfortable fit whenever you need pain relief.

Thomas Berk, MD, FAHS, Neura Health’s Medical Director explains that cold therapy devices like migraine hats block the transmission of pain in the brain. This causes a numbing effect that helps relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the brain to reduce migraine pains.

Best Migraine Hats

What is a Migraine Hat?

Migraine hats are headwear, which effectively works to relieve migraine pains. These head wears are not necessarily hats, they may come as wraps or bands filled with gel packs that are frozen or chilled to offer pain relief. Most migraine hats are made from stretchy, soft, and flexible material, making them easy to wear and adjust. Some migraine hats come with a removable ice pack, while others have a fixed gel pack. Nonetheless, they all work to effectively relieve pain and inflammation.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing by Chen–Jun Chen, cold interventions were used on adult patients with migraines. The interventions included a cold-gel cap, cold-gel headband, cold wrap, and intraoral cooling. The results showed that cold therapy is an effective way to instantly relieve migraine pain.

There is no complex technology involved in the making of migraine hats. Basically, they are just hats or wraps filled with ice or gel-like substances that can be cooled to offer migraine relief. Sherri Pulie was the first person to invent a migraine hat in 2013. After suffering from migraines for years, her mission was to invent a product that would offer relief.

According to the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal by Serap Ulcer, Yonka Kanatil, et al, some patients who suffered from migraines reported that cold therapy is an effective solution for treating migraine attacks.

Lucky for you, you do not have to go around carrying an ice pack and holding it over your head whenever you have a headache.

Migraine hats have an inbuilt ice technology, which allows you to wear the cap and enjoy its benefits. Sam Kelokates, a neurological disorders and headache specialist explains why cryotherapy or cold therapy works for migraines. Sam says that cold causes vasoconstriction and a reduction in swelling in the head and face. He further says that cold acts as a local analgesic, which causes a reduction in nerve activity in the affected area.

Additionally, Grace Song a physiotherapist at Brentwood Physio in Calgary supports that migraine hats are a popular and effective way to relieve migraines and headaches.

How we picked

Science and Evidence

Our choice of migraine hats only included products that are backed by clinical trials and scientific research. This is because research will make the user feel safer when using a product and will believe in its effectiveness. Most research studies included here also support the benefits of using migraine hats.

Trusted Manufacturers

The products we recommend are all from reputable, trusted, and well-regarded companies, that have a reputation for making high-quality products. A reputable manufacturer is transparent about the manufacturing process of its products, allows you to enjoy products at discounted prices, and offers better customer service. Trusted manufacturers also enjoy communicating with the customer and receiving honest customer feedback.

Cost

We considered cost when selecting our products so as to cater to every budget type. Some people who suffer severe migraines may not afford these expensive migraine hats, while some individuals only prefer the expensive ones as a measure of quality. That is why we picked a variety of migraine hats to suit every budget type and customer need.

Specialist comments

Our top picks are products approved and recommended by members of our team and experts in the field. Expert recommendations tend to influence how customers purchase the products because they add trustworthiness and credibility to a product. Customers will most likely consider products that have been recommended by professionals.

Our Choices For the Best Migraine Hats

1. TheraICE Headache Relief Cap

Best For: Headaches, Migraines, or Facial Tension

Features:

• 360° Form-fitting design
• Comfortable and wearable mask
• Made with expert-grade gel
• Provide cold and Hot therapy, Blocks Light

Price: $54.99

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The TheraICE RX Form-Fitting Gel Ice Headache and Migraine Relief Hat is designed to provide cold and hot therapy for various types of headaches. This includes migraines, tension headaches, cluster headaches, sinus pain, neck headaches, and TMJ headaches. It is a stretchable ice pack that can be shaped to fit the head, providing direct contact with the areas that need cold therapy. It can also be used to reduce eye puffiness and keep the head cool on hot days. It can be stored in the freezer or refrigerator for cold therapy or heated in the microwave for hot therapy. The product is shipped from the USA and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides relief for various types of headaches
• Comfortable and form-fitting design
• Useful for cold or hot therapy
• Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• 2-hour wait time for freezing the product before use inconvenient
• International shipping may take longer.

More to Know

Temperature Therapy: Cold and hot therapy options | Areas Covered: Eyes, Face, and Head | Type: Mask

2. AllSett Health Form Fitting Migraine Relief Ice Head Wrap

Best For: Any type of Headache, Sinus pain
Features:

• Snug fit that provides soothing positive compression & Targets problematic areas
• Cold and Hot therapy
• Built-in eye ice pack section
• Provides blackout effects

Price: $32.95
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The Migraine Relief Cap Ice Head Wrap is an innovative solution for headaches and migraines through temperature therapy. This versatile product envelops the entire head with 360-degree coverage. It offers both cooling and heating options to alleviate discomfort. Its unique gel-based design allows for a snug fit, targeting key areas such as the temples, forehead, and neck, while also including a special section for eye relief. Freeze it for cold therapy or microwave for heat therapy – it’s effective, durable, and provides a natural, drug-free solution to pain relief. This one-size-fits-all cap is suitable for adults and children alike. This makes it an accessible option for anyone seeking respite from migraines and headaches without the pressure points of traditional caps.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Stays cold longer than traditional ice packs
• Built-in eye ice pack section for targeted relief
• Affordable option

Cons

• Individual results vary
• Can be uncomfortable for few

More to Know

Temperature Therapy: Cold therapy or Microwaved for heated therapy. | Areas Covered: Temples, forehead, sides, back of the neck, and eyes. | Type: Head Wrap

3. Magic Gel Migraine Ice Head Wrap

Best For: Headaches, sinus pain, neck headaches
Features:

• Made of Lycra
• Reusable Stretchable design
• Acupressure technology
• Multiple Uses

Price:
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The TheraICE Headache Relief Cap is a headache relief product designed to help with a variety of headaches, including caffeine withdrawal headaches, and hangovers. It provides relief through cold therapy and can also help reduce eye puffiness. They can maintain the temperature for 20 mins.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides relief for various types of headaches
• Comfortable stretchable design
• Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons

• Lack of information on Site
• No reviews

More to Know

Temperature Therapy: Cold therapy | Areas Covered: Covers the entire head | Type: Cap

4. Headache Hat Migraine Ice Head Wrap

Best For: Migraines and Tension headaches.
Features:

• Lightweight and flexible wrap. Reversible for continued cooling relief.
• Cooling relief that lasts up to 2 hours & Allows adjustable tightness.
• Pre-loaded with 24 ice packets for direct pain point targeting.

Price: $37.60
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The Headache Hat™ Wearable Ice Pack is a patented cooling therapy solution designed for migraines and tension headaches. It offers long-lasting cold therapy with a lightweight and flexible wrap design that contains real ice cubes coated in a thin plastic layer, ensuring extended relief without water melting on the user.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides long-lasting cooling therapy
• Adjustable tightness for a perfect fit
• Versatile wear options
• Direct pain point targeting

Cons

• Difficulty with larger head sizes
• Individual results can vary

More to Know

Temperature Therapy: Cold therapy | Areas Covered: Head | Type: Wearable ice pack

5. IceBeanie Instant Migraine Pain Relief Hat

Best For: Migraines, Tension headaches, & Hangovers.
Features:

• Lightweight beanie design & Made of gel-tech. Comfortable fit.
• Faster relief through reduced inflammation and swelling.
• Pockets to keep ice packs in place. Stays colder for longer.

Price: $39.99
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The IceBeanie Migraine Relieving Beanie is a headache relief product that offers compression cold therapy through the use of a soft and lightweight beanie. It is designed to provide cooling relief for migraines, tension headaches, and hangovers. The IceBeanie 2.0 X2 is an upgraded version of the original product, featuring enhanced comfort, longer-lasting compression cold therapy, and faster relief.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides compression cold therapy
• Lightweight beanie design
• Offers longer-lasting relief
• Easy to use

Cons

• Some users may find the beanie too tight or uncomfortable for extended use
• Costly compared to other similar products

More to Know

Temperature Therapy: Cold therapy | Areas Covered: Head, Eyes, Face | Type: Beanie

How Does a Migraine Hat Work?

Cold therapy is an at-home and self-administered way of relieving migraine pains. Professionals in the medical field agree that using cold therapy may help relieve headaches and migraines. Migraine hats are worn on the head when migraines flare up. Research supports that the cold from the ice has a numbing effect on the nerves thus relieving pain.

In one of the research published in the Hawaii Journal of Medicine and Public Health by Adam Sprouse-Blum, fifty-five participants with migraine pains were administered cold therapy treatment. Each session lasted thirty minutes. The results showed that half of the participants reported reduced migraine pains.

Migraine hats work by cooling the blood that passes through the arteries. This causes vasoconstriction in the nerves, numbing the pain in the head. A randomized control trial published in the National Library of Medicine supports that cold therapy treats migraines by cooling the blood passing through the vessels.

Key Features to Consider When Choosing the Best Migraine Hats

There are a few factors to consider when purchasing the best migraine hats. Dr. Lauren R. Natbony, MD FAHS, a board-certified neurologist and headache specialist notes that individuals have different preferences for migraine hats in terms of design, styles, and other features. Here are some factors to take into consideration;

Cooling technology

Some individuals prefer heat therapy, while others prefer cooling technology when treating migraines. Before making a purchase, you may want to consider migraine hat with adjustable temperatures. For cooling technology, you may consider gel packs or beads. According to Dr. Natbony, the cooling technology maintains a constant temperature for a long time. Dr. Berk also explains that the hats do not take so much time to freeze.

Versatility

Other than the forehead, migraine pains may be felt in other areas such as the sides or top of the head, shoulders, neck, or sinus pain in your face. If you are one person who experiences a shift of migraine pains from time to time, you may want to consider a versatile hat. A versatile migraine that can treat various kinds of pain. For example, Dr. Lauren explains that a cold wrap may relieve neck and shoulder pain, and a band may help with sinus pain.

Style and fit

You should always go for migraine hats that fit comfortably around the head without feeling constrictive or too tight. A migraine hat that has a small compression may have a soothing effect. However, if it becomes too tight it may cause more pain. Both Dr. Lauren and Dr. Berk recommend buying hats that have a comfortable fit. There are different styles and designs of migraine on the market. some come with straps to help you adjust to the right size. Others have stretchy materials to fit different hairstyles.

Benefits of Migraine Hats

• Relieves migraine pains and headaches
• Relieves tension and sinus pain
• Can relieve neck and shoulder pain
• You can use the migraine hats every day
• May be used in the comfort of your home
• Come in different styles and designs

Conclusion

Clinical trials and research studies have proven beyond reasonable doubt that migraine hats are an effective solution to migraine pains. The hats use cooling technology whereby cold from the ice has a numbing effect on the nerves thus relieving pain.

With varying designs and styles on the market, you may wonder which one to select. We have explained some of the factors to consider to ensure you buy the best migraine hat.

Notable also, migraine hats have gained popularity over the years because their benefits and safety are backed by cutting-edge research. This article was specifically reviewed by experts and it highlights some of the best migraine hats on the market, their benefits, and amazing customer reviews from people who have enjoyed its benefits. It also explains what to look for when choosing the best hats and how long you need to wear them.