Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Using medications
• Part 2 of 4: Trying home remedies
• Part 3 of 4: Understanding when to seek medical help
• Part 4 of 4: Preventing headaches
• Warnings

Headaches in children are common and usually not a sign of a serious medical condition. But it can be painful and stressful for a child. There are a number of options, from home remedies to medication, to help your child get rid of a headache.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Using medications

1. Give over-the-counter pain relievers. A variety of over-the-counter pain relievers are available at most drugstores and pharmacies. These can help reduce the symptoms of headaches in children.
   • Paracetamol or ibuprofen (Advil) work well in reducing headaches, and are safe for use in most children from 2 months (acetaminophen) or 1 year (ibuprofen). If you want other options, you can consult your pediatrician or pharmacy.
   • Make sure to buy a children's variety of the over-the-counter pain relievers. Adult formulations can be dangerous to use on children.
   • Painkillers should usually be taken at the first sign of a headache. Follow the dosage instructions to make sure you give the child the recommended amount for her age.
   • While over-the-counter painkillers can provide relief, when used too frequently, they can give rise to habituation headaches. This means that your child will develop a headache in response to the drug itself. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also become less effective with more frequent use.
2. Take prescription medication. If your child's headaches return, you can ask your pediatrician for a prescription.
   • Migraines are usually treated with prescription medications. Migraine is a recurring and severe headache. Usually triptans are prescribed for children over 6 years old. The medication is very safe and has minimal side effects.
   • Certain types of chronic headaches, including migraines, are associated with nausea. Your doctor may recommend medication to treat your child's nausea.
   • Talk to your doctor about possible side effects of medication and provide as much information about your child and your family's medical history as possible.
3. Be careful with aspirin. Aspirin is generally safe for children over the age of 2. However, in rare cases it can contribute to the development of Reye's syndrome and therefore it should not be given to children with certain risk factors. Most doctors do not recommend the use of aspirins in children.
   • Reye's syndrome causes swelling of the liver and brain. It can lead to seizures and loss of consciousness. Prompt treatment is important as Reye's syndrome can quickly become fatal.
   • If your child's headache is caused by a viral infection such as the flu or chicken pox, then aspirin is not recommended. Treating such conditions with aspirin increases the risk of Reye's syndrome.
   • If your child has an underlying fatty acid oxidation condition, it increases the risk of Reye's syndrome. You should not treat your child with Aspirin.

Part 2 of 4: Trying home remedies

1. Use a cold compress. A cold compress can help relieve pain in a child with a headache.
   • Run a clean washcloth under cold water and place it on your child's forehead.
   • Have something available to occupy the child, such as music or television, so that he remains still with the compress on his forehead.
2. Give your child a healthy snack. Since headaches are sometimes caused by blood sugar, giving your child a healthy snack can help if he starts to complain about a headache.
   • Certain fruits and vegetables are known to reduce headache symptoms. Try to give your child a snack that contains spinach, watermelon, or cherries.
   • Children often like peanut butter, which has been shown to reduce headache symptoms. Since milk also helps with headaches, try serving peanut butter on a cracker with a glass of milk.
3. Practice relaxation and soothing techniques. Since headaches are often caused by a lack of sleep or stress, it can help your child to relax when a headache sets in.
   • Encourage your child to sleep in a cool, dark room. Sometimes headache symptoms improve after a nap.
   • Relaxation techniques can help a child relax tense muscles, which can change pain and reduce the frequency of headaches. Have your child lie down and relax, stretch all of his muscles and progressively relax different parts of his body.
   • You can also encourage him to take a warm bath or shower to relieve stress.
   • Make sure your child takes breaks from activities that trigger a headache, such as long periods in front of the computer or television screen.

Part 3 of 4: Understanding when to seek medical help

1. Keep track of the frequency of the headaches. If your child seems to be experiencing frequent headaches, then you should keep track of them. This way you will have a detailed list of symptoms to hand if you need to seek medical attention.
   • Know roughly when the headaches were there, how long they last on average, and if the headaches are the same.
   • There are different types of headaches, and the treatment varies from type to type. Cluster headaches are accompanied by cold-like symptoms. Migraines are often associated with vomiting and abdominal pain, and sensitivity to light and sound. Tension headaches often include pain in the neck and shoulders. Write down all of your child's symptoms to get a sense of the type of headache he has.
   • Children, especially young children, often have a hard time explaining their symptoms. Ask your child leading questions such as Where does it hurt? and Can you point out where the pain is?
2. Understand the link between regular headaches and mental health problems. Often children complain of headaches or other ailments when they suffer from depression, anxiety and other mental health problems. Children usually lack the vocabulary to explain mental health problems and seek comfort by complaining about physical aches and pains.
   • A real headache in a child is easy to spot. A child suffering from a real headache will usually be still and want to sit or lie down. They may fall asleep and they won't want to bother in any way. They will be bothered by light and noise and may experience stomach related problems such as nausea.
   • If your child does not show typical symptoms of a headache, but complains about it often, he may have a mental health problem. Talk to your pediatrician about your concerns. Your doctor should be able to talk to your child about their emotional health in a way they understand, and can refer you to a therapist if needed.
3. Familiarize yourself with troubling symptoms. While a headache is not usually a sign of a serious illness, you should watch for certain symptoms. Seek medical attention if your child experiences any of the following:
   • Headache strong enough to keep a child awake
   • Vomiting in the early morning, especially if other symptoms are missing
   • Changes in personality
   • Worsening headaches that come back more often
   • Headache after an injury
   • Headache accompanied by a stiff neck

Part 4 of 4: Preventing headaches

1. Give your child plenty of water. Dehydration can cause many symptoms, including recurring headaches. To avoid headaches in your child, make sure he gets plenty of water throughout the day.
   • A child should drink roughly 4 glasses with 200ml of water per day. However, your child may need more if he is particularly physically active.
   • Avoid caffeinated and sugary drinks. Not only will these keep your child from drinking plain water, but they can also dehydrate your child. High sugar or caffeine intake has also been linked to headaches.
2. Make sure your child gets enough sleep. Children need plenty of rest, which is why a nap is often an important part of a child's routine. Poor sleep can result in a headache.
   • Depending on the age of your child, his sleep needs will vary from night to night. Toddlers and preschoolers need 11 to 13 hours of sleep. Children 6 to 13 years old need 9 to 11 hours of sleep per night.
   • Set a bedtime for your child, if you haven't already, and make sure he gets up around the same time every day.
3. Provide your child with balanced meals at set times. Sometimes hunger can trigger a headache. Make sure you don't wait too long between meals.
   • Dips in blood sugar from missed meals can trigger headaches. Make sure your child has breakfast before going to school. Kids can sometimes be stubborn about school lunches and throwing out unwanted parts. If your child missed lunch, consider packing lunch for him so you know he will eat.
   • Often children go through phases where they don't want to eat, especially in toddlerhood. Establishing a strict meal routine and forbidding distractions such as toys and TV while eating can encourage your child to eat. If you continue to have problems, talk to your pediatrician to rule out any underlying medical problems.
   • Offer nutritious snacks, such as fruit, whole grain crackers, yogurt, cheese, and vegetables between meals.
4. Understand the underlying cause of your child's headaches. Common causes of headaches in children are:
   • Allergies
   • A sinus infection
   • Problems with sight.
   • If they also have a sore throat and fever, it could also be a sign of strep.
   • You should see your doctor if you think your child's headache is from another condition.

Warnings

• Make sure to read medication labels carefully and do not give your child an extra dose until the recommended duration is over.