Headaches in children

Ugh, headaches are just the worst. Especially for younger kids who may not be able to articulate what hurts exactly. But you may notice them being more cranky and less active.

The good news? Most of the time, headaches in kids are nothing to worry about! They can be caused by a bunch of different things, such as minor illnesses, lack of sleep, not eating or drinking enough, stress, or even accidentally hitting your head.

Most primary headaches in kids are caused by tension headaches or migraines. 

• Tension headaches usually feel like someone is pressing on the front, back, or both sides of the head and neck. They can have a dull, aching and constant quality. 

• Migraines are less common, but can cause pulsating, throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head that worsens with activity.

  • They can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or stomach aches. Often people report seeing spots or halos too and are sensitive to light and loud sounds!

  • With awareness and avoidance of triggers, migraines usually don’t cause any problems though. 

In general, you can treat your kids’ headaches with over-the-counter pain medications (NOT aspirin!) and implement healthy habits, such as a regular eating and sleeping schedule.

ALARM symptoms that may accompany a headache and warrant contacting your doctor as soon as possible include:

• Fever & stiff neck!

  • If your child can’t turn their head or touch their chin to their chest, go directly to the ER.

• Headaches that awaken your child from sleep!

• Severe, continued pain despite Advil or Tylenol.

• Frequent or persistent vomiting.

  • It can be sign of increased pressure on the brain!

• Trouble walking, talking, or performing normal tasks.

• Worse when lying down or waking up with a headache in the morning.

• Frequent headaches that interfere with daily life - stopping your child from playing or doing homework.

If something doesn’t seem right to you as the parent, contact your pediatrician. Let them take a look so that it can easy your stress as a parent and perhaps save you a headache, too.

Your PediPals