Understanding Headaches in Children
Headaches are surprisingly common in children and adolescents. By age 15, about 75% of children will have experienced at least one headache, and approximately 10% suffer from frequent or recurrent headaches. While headaches can be worrying for parents, the vast majority are benign and don't indicate serious underlying conditions.
Children can experience different types of headaches with various triggers and characteristics. Understanding the type of headache your child has, recognizing warning signs, and knowing effective treatment strategies can help manage this common childhood complaint.
📌 Important Note: Most headaches in children are tension-type headaches or related to common illnesses. Serious causes are rare but should always be ruled out if symptoms are concerning.
Types of Headaches in Children
😣Tension-Type Headaches (Most Common)
The most frequent type of headache in children, often related to stress, anxiety, or muscle tension.
Characteristics:
- • Mild to moderate pain
- • Feels like a tight band around the head
- • Pressure or squeezing sensation
- • Affects both sides of the head
- • Usually doesn't worsen with physical activity
- • No nausea or vomiting typically
- • Lasts 30 minutes to several hours
Common Triggers:
- • School stress or anxiety
- • Poor posture (especially during screen time)
- • Eye strain
- • Lack of sleep
- • Hunger or dehydration
- • Emotional stress
🔴Migraine Headaches
Intense, throbbing headaches that can significantly impact a child's daily activities. More common than once thought in children.
Characteristics:
- • Moderate to severe pain
- • Throbbing or pulsating quality
- • Often one-sided (but can be bilateral in children)
- • Worsens with physical activity
- • Accompanied by nausea/vomiting
- • Sensitivity to light and sound
- • May have visual aura (lights, zigzag lines)
- • Lasts 1-72 hours if untreated
- • Child often wants to lie in dark, quiet room
Common Triggers:
- • Certain foods (chocolate, aged cheese, MSG)
- • Sleep changes (too much or too little)
- • Stress or anxiety
- • Weather changes
- • Bright lights or loud noises
- • Hormonal changes (adolescence)
- • Strong odors
- • Skipping meals
🦠Headaches from Illness
Secondary headaches caused by underlying illnesses, most commonly viral infections.
- • Viral infections: Cold, flu, strep throat
- • Sinus infections: Pressure in face and forehead
- • Ear infections: Pain near ears
- • Fever: Any illness with fever can cause headaches
- • Usually resolve when underlying illness is treated
💥Post-Traumatic Headaches
Headaches following head injury or concussion.
- • Occur after blow to the head
- • Can start immediately or days later
- • May last weeks to months
- • Often accompanied by other concussion symptoms
- • Requires medical evaluation
⏰Cluster Headaches (Rare in Children)
Rare but extremely painful headaches that occur in clusters or patterns.
- • Severe, burning pain
- • One-sided, around or behind eye
- • Occurs at same time each day
- • Lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours
- • May have red, watery eye on affected side
- • Very rare before puberty
Common Causes & Triggers
💧 Dehydration
Not drinking enough water, especially during hot weather or after physical activity
🍽️ Hunger
Skipping meals or going too long between meals causing low blood sugar
😴 Sleep Issues
Too little sleep, too much sleep, irregular sleep schedule, or poor sleep quality
😰 Stress & Anxiety
School pressures, social issues, family problems, or general worry
📱 Screen Time
Excessive device use causing eye strain, poor posture, and blue light exposure
👓 Vision Problems
Undiagnosed refractive errors, eye strain from reading or close work
🌡️ Environmental Factors
Bright lights, loud noises, strong smells, weather changes, altitude
💊 Medication
Overuse of pain medication can actually cause "rebound headaches"
🚨 When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your child has:
• "Worst headache of their life" suddenly
• Headache after head injury
• Confusion or altered consciousness
• Seizures with the headache
• Stiff neck with fever
• Vision changes (double vision, blurred vision)
• Weakness in arms or legs
• Difficulty walking or balance problems
• Slurred speech
• Numbness or tingling
• Severe vomiting and inability to keep fluids down
• Worsening headache despite treatment
When to Call Your Doctor (Non-Emergency)
Schedule an appointment if your child experiences:
✓ Frequent headaches (more than once a week)
✓ Headaches that wake them from sleep
✓ Morning headaches regularly
✓ Headaches getting progressively worse
✓ Change in headache pattern
✓ Headaches interfering with school or activities
✓ Child under age 6 with frequent headaches
✓ Personality changes with headaches
Treatment & Relief Strategies
💊 Medication
Over-the-Counter Options:
- • Acetaminophen (Tylenol): Safe for children, follow age-appropriate dosing
- • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): Effective for many headaches, use with food
- • Give medication early in headache for best results
- • Don't exceed recommended frequency
⚠️ Warning: Frequent use of pain medication (more than 2-3 times per week) can cause medication overuse headaches. Consult your doctor if headaches are this frequent.
🏠 Home Remedies
🌙 Rest in Quiet, Dark Room
Reduces sensory stimulation and allows body to recover
🧊 Cold or Warm Compress
Apply to forehead or back of neck for 15-20 minutes
💧 Hydration
Drink water; dehydration is a common trigger
🍎 Light Snack
If hungry; low blood sugar can trigger headaches
💆 Gentle Massage
Temple, neck, and shoulder massage can relieve tension
😴 Sleep
Often the best medicine, especially for migraines
🧘 Relaxation Techniques
- • Deep breathing exercises
- • Progressive muscle relaxation
- • Guided imagery
- • Meditation or mindfulness
- • Biofeedback (for chronic headaches)
Preventing Headaches
💧 Stay Hydrated
- • Drink water throughout the day
- • Carry water bottle to school
- • Increase fluids in hot weather
- • Limit sugary drinks
🍽️ Regular Meals
- • Don't skip breakfast
- • Eat balanced meals at regular times
- • Healthy snacks between meals
- • Avoid excessive caffeine
😴 Consistent Sleep
- • Same bedtime and wake time daily
- • Age-appropriate sleep duration
- • Relaxing bedtime routine
- • Avoid screens before bed
😌 Stress Management
- • Teach coping strategies
- • Regular physical activity
- • Time for relaxation
- • Address school/social issues
📱 Limit Screen Time
- • Follow screen time guidelines
- • Take frequent breaks (20-20-20 rule)
- • Proper screen positioning
- • Good posture while using devices
📝 Keep Headache Diary
- • Track when headaches occur
- • Note potential triggers
- • Record severity and duration
- • Share with doctor
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: At what age do children start getting headaches?
Children can get headaches at any age, even toddlers, though they may not be able to describe them well. Headaches become more common as children get older, with frequency increasing during school years and adolescence.
Q: Can children get migraines?
Yes! About 10% of school-age children and up to 28% of teenagers experience migraines. Migraines in children may present differently than in adults—they're often shorter in duration and may affect both sides of the head rather than just one.
Q: Does my child need to see a neurologist?
Most childhood headaches can be managed by your pediatrician. Referral to a neurologist may be recommended for frequent or severe headaches, headaches not responding to treatment, unusual symptoms, or when more specialized testing is needed.
Q: Can food cause headaches?
Yes, certain foods can trigger headaches in susceptible children. Common culprits include processed meats (nitrates), aged cheeses (tyramine), chocolate, MSG, artificial sweeteners, and excessive caffeine. However, food triggers vary by individual. A headache diary can help identify specific triggers.
Q: Will my child outgrow headaches?
Many children do see improvement in headache frequency as they get older, particularly with tension headaches. However, some children who have migraines continue to experience them into adulthood. Learning good headache management strategies during childhood can help for life.
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer
This article provides general information about headaches in children and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your child's pediatrician about headaches, especially if they're frequent, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms. Seek immediate medical attention for sudden, severe headaches or headaches with concerning symptoms.