Migraines can be triggered by smells, fumes, perfumes, strong floral smells, tobacco smoke, bright lights or flickering lights, light glare, bright sunlight, paint thinner and ammonia and cooking odors. Travel motion in a car or train can instigate a migraine. Dust can trigger a migraine in sensitive individuals.
One of the most important things you can do is to let friends and family of your triggers so you minimize exposures as much as possible. Friends should know not too wear a strong perfume; if you are eating someone's home, they should know to aerate the kitchen as much as possible before you arrive so cooking odors are diminished. If you are remodeling, then you need to stay elsewhere and make sure that the home is aired out before you return. Driving at night may not be a good idea, sunglasses should be worn during the daytime and certain programs on TV (or movies) may be off limits to you if they involve light manipulation. Cleaning products should be odorless, and many of the new green products on the market will fit the bill.
