Headaches in Children

Children often get headaches. Usually, there’s no reason to worry. Headaches like migraines happen on their own. They can also come from tension, tiredness, or stress.

Signs & Symptoms

A headache can be a symptom of something else:

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Allergies
• Flu and other infections
• Sinus problems
• Earache
• Hunger
• Teeth problems
• Depression

Very bad headaches may be part of a bigger problem. Here are some examples:

• Head injury
• Meningitis or encephalitis. (These cause the brain to swell.)

Sometimes parents get scared when their child gets a headache. They are afraid their child has a brain tumor. But headaches hardly ever mean a brain tumor.

Causes

Usually, a child’s headache is caused by tight muscles in the neck and head. Tension or stress makes the muscles tight. Also, some medicines like antihistamines and decongestants can cause headaches. Skipping a meal can cause a headache in many children.

Self-Care

• Have your child rest in a dark, quiet room with his or her eyes closed.
• Rub the base of your child’s head with your thumbs. Start under the ears and work back. Rub the temples, too.
• Give your child a warm bath.
• Put a cold washcloth over your child’s eyes.
• Try to make your child feel safe and happy at home. If something is bothering them, help them talk about it.
• Give your child acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Make sure you give him or her the right kind and dose for his or her weight. (Note: Do not give aspirin. Aspirin and other medicine that have salicylates have been linked to Reye’s Syndrome.)
• Take your child to the dentist for dental checkups.
• Make sure your child eats well at mealtime. Between meals, give your child healthy snacks, like fruit or cereal.