Headaches in Children
What is a headache?
Headaches are very common in children, affecting over 90% of school-age kids. They are usually not serious and can be caused by simple things like not getting enough sleep, being hungry, or feeling nervous about a test. Children can have the same types of headaches as adults, like tension headaches and migraines.
However, young kids might not always say they have a headache. If your child complains often about headaches, it is important to pay attention, as it could be a sign of something more serious.
Causes of headaches
Here are some common reasons why children might get headaches:
- Head Injury: Bumps on the head can cause headaches. Most are minor, but see a doctor if your child is vomiting, bleeding from the nose or ears, feeling very sleepy, having trouble walking, faints, has a seizure, can’t see well, or has a headache that keeps getting worse after a bump
- Illness and Infection: Headaches often happen with illnesses like colds, allergies, and ear or sinus infections
- Emotions: Stress or anxiety from problems at home or school can lead to headaches
- Environment: Changes in weather, loud noises, strong smells, or bright lights can trigger headaches
- Family History: If headaches run in the family, your child might be more likely to have them, especially migraines
- Rare Causes: Infections in the brain or tumors are rare causes of headaches
- Excessive Screen Time: Spending too much time in front of screens can cause headaches. It is beneficial to reduce screen time for your child and have their vision formally assessed
Signs and symptoms
Most headaches are not a big deal, but sometimes they can be a sign of a serious problem. Watch your child’s symptoms and talk to a doctor if headaches are unusual, happen a lot, or stop them from doing daily activities. Seek medical attention if your child has:
- Headaches that wake them up or start early in the morning
- Vomiting in the morning without feeling sick first
- Headaches that get worse or happen more frequent than normal
- Changes in personality or behavior
- Headaches that feel different from past ones
- Headaches with fever or a stiff neck
- Headaches with changes in vision
- Headaches after an injury
Treatment
Treatment depends on your child’s age, how often, and how bad the headaches are. You can give them over-the-counter medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. For more severe headaches, a doctor might suggest stronger medicines.
Prevention
To help prevent headaches or make them less severe, try these tips:
- Healthy Habits: Make sure your child gets enough sleep, stays active, eats well, drinks plenty of water, and limits caffeine
- Reduce Stress: Find out what might be stressing your child, like schoolwork or friendships, and try to help them manage it. Counseling can be useful option if the headaches are linked to anxiety or depression
- Headache Diary: Keep track of when your child gets headaches, how long they last, and what helps them feel better. This can help identify triggers
- Avoid Triggers: Use the headache diary to find out what causes the headaches, like certain foods or drinks, and try to avoid them
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This article is written by Dr Wendy Sinnathamby, a General Paediatrician with more than 20 years of experience. Dr Wendy completed her Paediatric specialist training in the UK and is experienced in newborn screening, growth and development screening, emergency paediatrics, vaccination, travel advice and adolescent medicine.
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