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Parent’s Guide

Parent’s Guide: Headaches in Children

Headaches are very common in children. While they can be painful, they are rarely a sign of a serious brain problem. Most often, they are caused by a virus, hunger, or stress.

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🚨 When to Get Help

Before treating it at home, check for these serious “Red Flags.”

Call 911 Now

  • Consciousness: Child is hard to wake up, passes out, or acts confused.
  • Weakness: Sudden weakness in an arm or leg.

Call Doctor Now or Go to ER

  • Vision: Child complains of double vision or blurred vision.
  • Vomiting: The headache is making them throw up.
  • Severity: The child looks very sick or the pain is unbearable.
  • Stiff Neck: Fever combined with a stiff neck (unable to touch chin to chest) could be Meningitis.

Contact in 24hrs

  • The headache is accompanied by a fever.
  • There is swelling around the eye.
  • There is specific sinus pain (forehead/cheek).
  • Headache lasts more than 24 hours (without other symptoms).
  • You suspect migraines but have never had a diagnosis.
  • Headaches are becoming a frequent problem.
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🔎Diagnosing the Cause: Why does it hurt?

If there is no injury and no emergency symptom, check these common causes:

A. Acute (Sudden) Causes

  • Viral Illness: This is the #1 cause. If they have a fever, sore throat, or flu symptoms, the headache is likely part of the virus.
  • Hunger: Some kids get headaches when they skip a meal. It usually goes away 20-30 minutes after eating.
  • Dehydration: Not drinking enough water, especially during sports or heat.
  • Sinus Infection: Note: This is rare in children under 10 because their frontal sinuses haven’t formed yet. If they are older than 10, look for pain directly above the eyebrow.

B. Recurrent (Frequent) Causes

  • Tension Headaches: The most common type. It feels like a tight band around the head. Caused by stress, posture, or screen time.
  • Migraines: Severe, throbbing pain (often on one side).
    • Clues: Nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound, wanting to lie in a dark room.
  • “Rebound” Headaches: Caused by taking pain medicine too often.
  • School Avoidance: Headaches that happen only on school mornings are real pain, but often triggered by anxiety or a desire to stay home.
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🏠Home Care Advice

For Tension or Mild Headaches

  • Fuel Up: Give them a large glass of water and a snack.
  • Medicine: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Ibuprofen (Advil).
  • Cold Pack: A cold, wet washcloth on the forehead for 20 minutes helps reduce pain.
  • Stretch: Rub the neck muscles and have them stretch.

For Migraines

  • Medicine: Give Ibuprofen (Advil) immediately. It works best for migraines.
  • The Dark Room: Sensory deprivation is key. Put them in a dark, quiet room.
  • Sleep: Sleep is often the “cure.” Many children wake up pain-free after a nap.
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Common Myths

  • “They need glasses”: While eye strain can cause headaches, poor vision rarely causes headaches unless there is also eye pain.
  • “It’s teething”: Teething does not cause headaches.

Medically Reviewed by Dr Michael Villadelgado
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you use it. If you are unsure, always call your doctor.