This is an archive article published on March 28, 2025

Hina Khan says migraines lasted ‘for days together’ if her scalp got exposed for more than 20-30 minutes: ‘When I had shaved my hair…’

"When I had shaved my hair, I said I would proudly flaunt my bald head," Hina Khan added.

Hina Khan on not exposing her scalp (Photo: Hina Khan/Instagram)

5 min readNew DelhiApr 2, 2025 03:09 PM IST First published on: Mar 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM IST

Hina Khan, who is battling breast cancer, has been highly vocal about her journey, even sharing how she coped with the many side effects of chemotherapy. Recently, she told her fans why, despite wanting to flaunt her “bald head proudly”, she kept her scalp covered on most occasions and did not let it get exposed. “Throughout my journey, I couldn’t expose my scalp. Whenever I used to remove my cap or my wig, I felt migraine within 20-30 minutes. I used to have migraines that lasted for days together. This is why I kept myself covered all the time. This is why there was no picture or anything out,” said Khan, 37.

“When I had shaved my hair, I said I would proudly flaunt my bald head. But sadly, that couldn’t happen because of my condition. It’s okay. If it were possible, I would have done it. I didn’t want to give any false hopes to people. So I didn’t put out any pictures of something that didn’t work for me,” Khan told Pinkvilla.

She also opened up about pigmentation scars on her scalp. “I got pigmentation on the scalp. I still have the pigmentation scars on my scalp,” said Khan.

During the chat, she thanked fans and people from various walks of life for their continued support and outpouring of love.

Hina Khan is seen mostly with a wig or covered scalp in photos (Photo: Hina Khan/Instagram)

Taking a cue from her admission, let’s learn more about how exposing the scalp may cause migraines in some cancer patients undergoing treatment.

While the exact causes of migraines are not fully understood, research suggests that genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors contribute to their development.

Although there is “no direct link between scalp exposure and migraines”, there are several possible explanations for why Hina Khan might experience migraines after exposing her scalp, said Dr Narander Singhla, lead consultant – internal medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Delhi.

“Sudden changes in temperature, such as exposure to cold air or heat, can trigger migraines in some individuals. Additionally, tension and stress are well-known migraine triggers, and if exposing her scalp causes discomfort or anxiety, this could contribute to her symptoms,” said Dr Singhla.

Also Read | ‘I knew something was wrong, but…’: Hina Khan visits Farah Khan’s house for yakhni with nadru, opens up on ignoring cancer symptoms while shooting

Another potential factor is sensory sensitivity, as some migraine sufferers are susceptible to stimuli like light, sound, or touch, and exposing the scalp could trigger a sensory response leading to a migraine episode, said Dr Singhla.

Exposure to sunlight is a common trigger for migraine attacks, said consultant neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar. “More than half the patients with migraine report their migraine attacks getting triggered after sunlight exposure,” said Dr Kumar. “It is possible that a person could lose scalp hair due to chemotherapy, and a bald head could be more sensitive to the effects of sunlight exposure,” mentioned Dr Kumar.

This is more likely to occur during warmer seasons, such as summers, and also during the middle of the day (11 am to 4 pm), when temperatures are higher.

“Dehydration, sleep deprivation, fasting and skipping meals could also aggravate the risk of getting migraine attacks,” said Dr Kumar.

Also Read | Hina Khan shows radiation burns from cancer treatment, shares a positive note: ‘Scarred not scared’

While there is no cure for migraines, various strategies can help manage symptoms and reduce their frequency, experts urge.

“Identifying and avoiding triggers, such as scalp exposure if relevant, can be beneficial. Maintaining a consistent routine, including regular sleep patterns, healthy eating habits, and exercise, can help minimise stress and promote overall well-being,” said Dr Singhla.

Relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or yoga may also alleviate tension and reduce the likelihood of migraines. “For those experiencing severe, frequent, or persistent migraines, seeking medical advice is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr Singhla.

Understanding the complexities of migraines and implementing effective management strategies can help individuals reduce their frequency and severity.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.