The area marked in red in the photo is my right side, my temple, behind my ear, and it’s been hurting for 17 days. I’m scared ðŸ˜
The area marked in red in the photo is my right side, my temple, behind my ear, and it’s been hurting for 17 days. I’m scared ðŸ˜Headaches: When to Call the Pediatrician
Headaches: When to Call the Pediatrician
By: Namrata Patel, MD & Steven Leber, MD, PhD, FAAP
“My head hurts.” Across the U.S., parents hear this complaint from their children and teenagers at a rate so frequent that it can be hard to know whether it is, in fact, a painful headache (or just an excuse to stay home from school). Head pain in babies and children too young to tell you their head hurts are often fussier, crankier, and unable sleep.
While most headaches are harmless and go away within a few hours, recurrent headaches of any type can cause school problems, behavioral problems, and/or depression. In this article, learn when to involve your pediatrician. It’s important to know when headaches may be a symptom of something more serious.
Home care for children’s headaches
Anyone who has ever had a mild, occasional headache knows rest and relaxation is often the best treatment. Other things like ice packs, warm shower or baths, naps in a dark room, and head and neck massage may also help.
Use caution with over-the-counter pain medicine
Don’t be tempted to turn to over-the-counter pain medication every time your child complains of head pain. If you do, be sure to always read the label for any medication to determine the right dose based on your child’s weight.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol): You can give your child one dose to help reduce headache. Do not exceed the maximum dosage and frequency for children, 22-33 milligrams per pound within a 4-hour period.
Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil): If acetaminophen does not initially work, you can also give one dose of ibuprofen. Do not exceed the maximum dosage and frequency for children, 13-22 milligrams per pound within a 12-hour period.
Keep track of how often you are giving these medications. If you are using more than 3 doses total per week, consult your pediatrician to determine if other medication is required.
Using more than three doses per week can also lead to medication overuse headaches (also known as analgesic rebound headaches). Children and teenagers can get these types of headaches from taking pain medicine too often, and therefore, being dependent on the medication. The over-the-counter medications no longer work to reduce pain, and the headaches become more frequent and more painful! Not good.
Keep a headache diary
There are a number of types of headaches, as well as potential causes. So, it can be helpful to see if a pattern develops. There are many different apps and online tools available to help you and/or your child. Your pediatrician will use this information to determine the best course of treatment.
What to include in a headache diary?
Date and time of headache
How long did the headache last?
What symptoms did your child experience?
What helped relieve the pain?
What made the pain worse?
Did anything specific happen that day (a test coming up in school, infectious symptoms, eating a certain food, trouble sleeping, etc.)?
Common types of headaches
Each type of headache may be treated differently. A detailed history and physical exam help your pediatrician figure out what kind of headache your child has. Based on your child’s diagnosis, your pediatrician will create a plan with you on how to best relieve your child’s pain.
Seek emergency care if your child has:
Sudden, severe head pain happening for the first time—especially if your child has double vision, seems confused, sleepy, hard to wake up, has numbness or projectile vomiting.
Headache with a stiff neck, or complaints of neck pain, especially with a fever.
Tension headaches
Common symptoms:
Mild or moderate headache
Typically develops during the middle of the day
Constant, dull or achy pain
Sensation of tightness that feels like a band or circle around the head
Pain located in the forehead or on both sides of the head
Neck pain
Fatigue
Migraine headaches
Common symptoms:
Throbbing pain that is often on one side of head, but can be on both sides–particularly in children
Light and/or noise sensitivity
Fatigue
Nausea and vomiting
Mood changes
An aura: flashes of light, zig-zag lines or other odd vision changes that may appear before or during a migraine
Note: Some symptoms of a migraine may be slightly different in children than adults.
Congestion headaches
Common symptoms:
Pain and pressure above a sinus, often above the eyebrow, behind the eye, and under the cheekbone
Pain may be on just one side of the face/head
Blocked or runny nose
Medication overuse (analgesic rebound headaches)
Common symptoms:
Pain starting behind the eyes and moving up the front of the head, or dull ache around the forehead
Grogginess
Irritability
Flu-like aches and pains
May start after pain reliever use ends
Caffeine in sodas and energy drinks can also be a culprit
Headaches after a head injury
Common symptoms:
Pain that feels like pressure inside the head
Dizziness
Mental fogginess
Nausea
Fatigue
Moodiness
Blurry vision
Call pediatrician if your child has:
Daily headaches
Headaches caused by straining from coughing, sneezing, running or having a bowel movement.
Headaches that occur along with pain in the eye or ear, confusion, nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, or numbness.
Headaches that keep coming back and get worse.
Headaches following a head injury that don’t go away after a week.
Headaches severe enough to wake from sleep.
Does my child need a CT-scan?
Imaging of the brain, blood tests and invasive procedures are NOT required to diagnose headaches. In some cases, brain imaging or a lumbar puncture is needed if a more serious condition is suspected. If necessary, the pediatrician will discuss what further tests are needed and why. The pediatrician may also recommend that your child see a pediatric neurologist who can help provide further recommendations for your child’s headache.
Remember
Many times, when children get headaches, they’ll be gone as quickly as they come. Rest, rehydration, and healthy routines will usually keep them go away. But, be sure to call your pediatrician any time you have concerns about your child’s headache pain.
