It could sound simplistic but before you can light upon a remedy for migraine you need to become a detective and fathom what is at the root of it. Do you know what your migraine trigger is? Read on to discover an unusual one.

There are many possible causes of migraine, and sometimes they are dietary. But when asked which foods are most commonly suspected of causing migraines, most people will quickly reply "red wine, chocolate and cheese".

They may be surprised to find out that as long ago as 1979 in a study on migraine and food intolerances published in the prestigious Lancet, eggs were among the most common foods cited as problematic.

In reality, eggs are one of the most prevalent allergens. They are also one of the most reliable to test for - unlike some foods.

Unfortunately, egg is in a great number of things, from baked goods to cake icing, and it is a myth that cooking renders it safe! Children with migraines are often allergic to eggs plus at least two other trigger foods, and can gain relief simply by eliminating these foods from their diet. However, since eggs are an important source of protein, they should not be removed from your diet unless you are sure they're causing you difficulties. A food intolerance test or trial exclusion for three weeks ought to give you enough evidence to have a meaningful discussion with a qualified health professional as to whether exclusion will be beneficial.

One more unexpected place where egg is common is in vaccines. Measures have been taken to combat exposure to egg by deriving the vaccines from embryos, but new developments seem to show that even minimal exposure to chicken produce of any variety can be hazardous.

For people who are very sensitive even inhalation could be dangerous. Workers in a confectionery factory inhaling the powdered egg white found in the decorative icing suffered asthmatic attacks, so exposure to an egg allergen is probable even when you are avoiding eating eggs!

Egg white can even be found in vaginal suppositories or in nappy rash cream, and if an allergic reaction as severe as asthma or anaphylactic shock is possible, why not a migraine?

The sad thing about small children and food allergies is their inability to put across the point that something is wrong. Also, misdiagnosis is common, caused by the inability of parents or doctors to meticulously record symptoms.

A child who has consumed ice cream and frequently suffered a migraine afterwards could be allergic to the milk or the eggs in the product, and a firm determination is necessary to check which it is.

Eggs are such a strong allergen that many doctors recommend not serving eggs to children under two, as once an allergen is triggered, the body can build up a memory of it and it may cause you more problems down the line.

There are several foods that if avoided or given very infrequently can prevent a red flag going up in a child's immune system. Eggs are a bit of a conundrum, what with the yolk and the white - recently, studies have shown that while the yolk of the egg is high in cholesterol, the white contains the means to combat it.

Normally, after 12 months with no adverse effects, you can try to reintroduce foods one at a time. If migraines come back, you will know you hit on a major trigger, and do your best to avoid it in the future.

Eggs are good for you - except when they're not!