Written by Maria Gabrielle, Migraine Health Writer & Researcher
Migraine aura describes temporary neurological symptoms that can happen before, during or sometimes without the head-pain phase of a migraine attack. They can affect vision, sensation, speech or language, and may feel unsettling, particularly when they happen for the first time.
Although aura is a recognised feature of migraine, new, sudden, severe or unusual neurological symptoms should never be assumed to be migraine without medical assessment. Symptoms such as weakness on one side of the body, double vision, poor balance, reduced consciousness or visual symptoms affecting only one eye need urgent clinical advice.
For clear definitions of terms such as aura, visual aura, sensory aura and scotoma, explore our Migraine A–Z Glossary.
Key takeaways
- Migraine aura involves fully reversible neurological symptoms that usually develop gradually.
- Typical aura symptoms can include visual changes, tingling or numbness, and speech or language disturbance.
- An individual aura symptom commonly lasts between 5 and 60 minutes.
- Aura may happen before a headache, during a headache or without any headache at all.
- New or unusual neurological symptoms need medical assessment rather than self-diagnosis.
- Food supplements are not an acute treatment for aura once symptoms have started.
What is migraine aura?
Migraine aura is a group of temporary neurological symptoms that are linked with migraine. According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3), aura symptoms are fully reversible and usually develop gradually over several minutes.
For some people, aura acts as an early warning that a migraine headache may follow. For others, the headache may begin during the aura, after it has settled, or not happen at all. This is why it is possible to experience migraine-related symptoms without the classic headache phase.
Aura is different from the prodrome phase of migraine. Prodrome symptoms can begin hours or even a day or two before an attack and may include tiredness, yawning, changes in mood, food cravings, neck stiffness or difficulty concentrating. Aura refers specifically to neurological symptoms such as visual changes, tingling or speech disturbance.
What can migraine aura feel like?
Everyone’s experience can differ, and symptoms may not be the same in every attack. Typical aura symptoms usually fall into visual, sensory or speech-and-language categories.
| Type of aura | Examples | Helpful note |
|---|---|---|
| Visual aura | Flashing lights, zigzag lines, shimmering shapes, blind spots, dots, spots or partial loss of vision. | Visual symptoms often develop gradually and may appear to move or expand across the field of vision. |
| Sensory aura | Pins and needles, tingling, numbness or an altered sensation affecting the face, hand, arm or another area. | A tingling sensation may slowly spread, with numbness sometimes following. |
| Speech or language aura | Difficulty finding words, speaking clearly, understanding language or forming sentences. | Speech difficulty should always be taken seriously, especially if it is new or unlike your usual symptoms. |
For a more detailed explanation of visual symptoms, including the difference between positive symptoms such as flashing lights and negative symptoms such as partial vision loss, read our guide to how migraines can affect vision.
How long does migraine aura last?
Typical aura symptoms usually develop gradually over at least 5 minutes and each individual symptom commonly lasts between 5 and 60 minutes. When more than one aura symptom occurs, they may happen one after another, so the full sequence can last longer than a single symptom.
A headache may begin during the aura or within 60 minutes after it. However, some people experience aura without a headache. The timing, order and nature of symptoms are all useful details to record for a GP, pharmacist or migraine specialist.
Typical aura compared with symptoms that need urgent assessment
Migraine aura can overlap with symptoms of other neurological conditions. This is why new symptoms should be checked rather than automatically attributed to migraine.
| Typical aura pattern | Seek urgent medical advice |
|---|---|
| Symptoms are fully reversible and develop gradually. | Symptoms begin suddenly, are severe, different from your usual pattern or do not settle as expected. |
| Visual changes, tingling, numbness or speech disturbance. | Weakness on one side of the body, facial drooping, reduced consciousness, seizure or severe confusion. |
| Symptoms last 5 to 60 minutes per individual aura symptom. | Aura symptoms last longer than 1 hour at a time. |
| Visual symptoms usually affect the field of vision rather than one eye alone. | Visual symptoms affect only one eye, or you have double vision, poor balance or loss of vision. |
Some migraine subtypes involve more complex neurological symptoms. For example, brainstem aura can involve vertigo, double vision, tinnitus, speech changes or poor coordination. Read our guide to brainstem migraine symptoms, including vertigo, speech changes and balance issues.
Can aura happen without a headache?
Yes. Aura can occur without the head-pain phase of migraine. This is sometimes described as migraine aura without headache or silent migraine. However, a first episode of visual, sensory or speech symptoms should still be assessed, particularly if you have never previously been diagnosed with migraine with aura.
Aura without headache can be difficult to recognise because there may be no obvious migraine pain to connect the symptoms together. A diary can help document what happened, how long it lasted and whether symptoms returned in a similar pattern.
For more information about migraine symptoms that can happen with little or no head pain, read our guide to silent migraines.
What to do during a migraine aura
- Get somewhere safe. Sit or lie down and avoid driving, climbing, cooking or operating machinery if your vision, balance, sensation or speech feels affected.
- Make a note of the time. Record when symptoms started, how they developed and when they fully settled.
- Notice the exact symptoms. Note visual changes, tingling, numbness, speech difficulty, headache, nausea, light sensitivity, balance problems or weakness.
- Follow your existing migraine plan. Use any plan agreed with your GP, pharmacist or migraine specialist.
- Do not assume a new episode is “just aura”. Seek urgent medical advice for symptoms that are new, sudden, severe, one-sided, prolonged or different from your usual pattern.
Keeping a useful migraine aura diary
NICE recommends using a headache diary to support diagnosis and management. Keeping a record for at least 8 weeks can help show the timing, frequency and pattern of your attacks.
- Date and time the aura began and ended
- Whether symptoms developed gradually or suddenly
- The order symptoms happened in
- Whether you had a headache before, during or after the aura
- Any medicines used and whether they helped
- Sleep, hydration, meals, caffeine, stress, illness, menstruation or other possible influences
- Whether symptoms affected one eye, both sides of the visual field, one side of the body or speech
For practical help identifying patterns without assuming that one difficult day proves a trigger, read our guide to best practices for preventing migraine triggers.
Prevention and support between attacks
Managing migraine with aura is individual. A healthcare professional may discuss acute treatment, preventive treatment, lifestyle adjustments, a diary or referral to a specialist depending on your symptoms, medical history and how often attacks occur.
Regular meals, hydration, sleep, stress management and recognising personal patterns may form part of a wider migraine-management plan. These habits may support overall wellbeing, but they are not a substitute for medical assessment of new neurological symptoms.
For a broader overview of migraine prevention habits and questions to discuss with a healthcare professional, read our Natural Migraine Prevention Guide.
A note on supplements and migraine aura
No food supplement has been shown to stop an aura once it has started or to treat new neurological symptoms. Supplements should never delay urgent medical assessment or replace a personalised migraine plan.
NICE advises that riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, at 400 mg once daily may be effective in reducing migraine frequency and intensity for some people. This relates to migraine prevention generally and does not show that riboflavin treats aura during an attack.
Speak to a GP or pharmacist before starting a new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking regular medicines or managing another health condition.
When to seek medical help
See a GP if your migraine attacks are severe, getting worse, lasting longer than usual, happening more than once a week or becoming difficult to manage.
Contact NHS 111 or seek urgent GP advice if a migraine attack lasts longer than 72 hours, aura symptoms last longer than 1 hour at a time, or you are pregnant or have recently given birth.
Call 999 immediately if you have a sudden and extremely painful headache, problems speaking or remembering, loss of vision, blurred or double vision, severe confusion or drowsiness, a seizure, weakness on one side of the body or face, or symptoms after a head injury.
Frequently asked questions
What is migraine aura?
Migraine aura is a group of temporary neurological symptoms that can happen before, during or without a migraine headache. Common examples include visual disturbances, tingling, numbness and speech difficulty.
How long does migraine aura last?
Each individual aura symptom commonly lasts between 5 and 60 minutes. If aura symptoms last longer than 1 hour at a time, seek urgent medical advice.
Can aura happen without a headache?
Yes. Some people experience aura without the head-pain phase of migraine. New neurological symptoms should still be assessed by a healthcare professional.
Is blurred vision the same as migraine aura?
Not always. Aura can involve visual symptoms, but blurred vision can have many possible causes. New, severe, one-eye or unusual visual symptoms should be assessed urgently.
Can migraine aura cause numbness?
Yes. Sensory aura can involve pins and needles, tingling or numbness, often affecting one side of the body or face. A new or unusual pattern should be discussed with a clinician.
Can migraine aura cause speech problems?
Speech or language disturbance can occur as part of migraine aura. However, new difficulty speaking or understanding language needs urgent medical assessment because it can overlap with symptoms of other conditions.
Can supplements stop an aura once it starts?
No food supplement has been proven to stop an aura once it has started. Speak to a GP or pharmacist about prevention options that are appropriate for you.
When should I call 999?
Call 999 for sudden severe headache, loss of vision, blurred or double vision, severe confusion, seizure, one-sided weakness, facial drooping, problems speaking or remembering, or symptoms after a head injury.
Sources and further reading
- International Classification of Headache Disorders: Migraine with aura
- NICE CG150: Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management
- NHS: Migraine
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Migraine aura can overlap with symptoms of stroke, seizure and other neurological conditions. Seek urgent medical advice for new, sudden, severe, prolonged or changing symptoms. MigraSoothe products are food supplements and are not medicines.