HEADACHE

Symptom Definition

• Pain or discomfort of the scalp or forehead areas.
• The face and ears are excluded.

Causes

• Main cause: muscle tension headache or headache from fever.

See More Appropriate Topic(instead of this one) If

• Followed a head injury within last 3 days, see HEAD INJURY.
• Pain is around the eye or the cheekbone, see SINUS PAIN AND CONGESTION.

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR HEADACHE

Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)If

• Difficult to awaken or passed out.
• Confused thinking or slurred speech.
• Blurred or double vision.    
• Weakness or unsteady walking.

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• Your child looks or acts very sick.
• Stiff neck.
• Severe headache with fever or vomiting.

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

• You think your child needs to be seen.
• Sore throat present for more than 24 hours.
• Sinus pain or pressure of forehead.

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns.
• Headache present for more than 24 hours.  
• Headaches are a recurrent problem.

Parent Care at Home If

• Mild headache and you don't think your child needs to be seen.

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR MILD HEADACHES

1. Pain Medicine:  Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief (see Dosage table). Headaches due to fever are also helped by fever reduction.
2. Food:  Give fruit juice or food if your child is hungry or hasn't eaten in more than 4 hours (reason: skipping a meal can cause a headache in many children).
3. Rest:  Lie down in a quiet place and relax until feeling better.
4. Local Cold:  Apply a cold washcloth or ice pack to the forehead for 20 minutes.
5. Stretching:  Stretch and massage any tight neck muscles.
6. Migraine Headaches Diagnosed in the Past: If your child’s doctor has prescribed a specific medication for migraine, give it as directed as soon as the migraine starts. If not, ibuprofen is the best OTC drug for migraine. Give ibuprofen now and repeat in 6 hours if needed (See Dosage Table). Also, have your child lie down in a dark, quiet place and try to fall asleep. People with migraine often awaken from sleep with their migraine gone

• Headache lasts for more than 24 hours despite using a pain medicine.
• Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.

Pediatric HouseCalls Online. Copyright © 2000-2004 Barton Schmitt, M.D. FAAP

Reviewed 8/2004

Revised 8/2004

See Other Topics:

• Sinus Pain and Congestion

View Anatomic Index of Topics