Headache
Headaches in children are common, they are usually mild and only happen from time to time.
- There are plenty of things you can do to help your child to feel better such as, making sure they drink plenty of water, take regular exercise and ensure they are sleeping well.
- Stress can often play a part in children's headaches, especially the older they get. Make sure you have regular chats about what is going on in their life
- Sometimes headaches can be a sign of something more worrying.
- A minor head injury can cause headaches, as can colds or a runny nose.
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
When should you worry?
If your child has any of the following:
- They are very sleepy: difficult to wake up or keep awake
- They are confused or behaving strangely
- New, persistent blurring of vision, seeing double, a new squint or unusual eye movements
- New weakness, loss of balance, coordination problems, are holding their head tilted to one side or have difficulty walking
- Vomiting overnight or persistent daytime vomiting without diarrhoea
- Breathing very fast or breathing that stops or pauses
- Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the rib, unable to talk or noisy breathing (grunting)
- Becomes pale, blue, mottled and/or unusually cold to touch
- Weak, high-pitched, continuous cry or extremely agitated
- Has a fit (seizure)
- Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure (the glass test)
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or call 999 - dial 999.
If your child has any of following:
- Neck stiffness or pain
- Discomfort with bright lights
- A headache waking them from sleep
- A headache worse on coughing or straining
- A headache impacting on school attendance
- Concerns about early or late puberty
- Needing to use paracetamol or ibuprofen more than 3 days a week for their headache
- A headache that does not get better after advice or treatment from your doctor or nurse
- Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
- Dry skin, lips, tongue or looking pale
- Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
- Poor feeding in babies (less than half of their usual amount)
- Irritable (Unable to settle them with toys, TV, food or hugs even after their fever has come down)
- Temperature of 38°C or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever (rigors)
- Getting worse and I am still worried
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
If your child has none of the above:
- Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
- If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.
In school aged children, physical symptoms such as headaches can commonly occur if they are feeling anxious. Learn more about how you can help your child if they are feeling worried.
Self care and Prevention
How can you help your child’s headache?
- Start a headache diary. Record date, time, triggers, severity and any other associated symptoms.
- Ensure your child is drinking a plenty of fluid (no caffeine or fizzy drinks).
- Ensure your child is eating regular meals and doesn’t skip meals.
- Ensure your child is getting good sleep.
- Ensure your child is having regular exercise.
- Consider limiting screen time.
- Paracetamol or Ibuprofen can be given but less than 3 times a week. Using these more often can make headaches worse.
- Book your child an eye test with your local optician.
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