Headache

Treatment for Mild Headache

1. Reassurance:

   • Headaches are very common with viral illness, especially with colds. They usually resolve in 2 or 3 days.

   • Unexplained headaches can occur in children, just as they do in adults. They usually pass in a few hours or last up to a day.

   • Most headaches (including muscle tension headaches) are helped by the following measures.

2. 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.

3. 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).

4. Rest: Lie down in a quiet place and relax until feeling better.

5. Local Cold:  Apply a cold wet washcloth or cold pack to the forehead for 20 minutes.

6. Stretching: Stretch and massage any tight neck muscles.

7. Call Your Doctor If:

   • Headache becomes severe

   • Vomiting occurs

   • Isolated headache lasts over 24 hours

   • Headache lasts over 3 days

   • Your child becomes worse

8. Extra Advice - Muscle Tension Headache Prevention:

   • If something is bothering your child, help him talk about it and get it off his mind.

   • Teach your child to take breaks from activities that require sustained concentration. Encourage your child to do relaxation exercises during the breaks.

   • Teach your child the importance of getting adequate sleep.

   • If over-achievement causes headaches, help your child find more balance.

   • Caution: Your child should have a complete medical checkup before you conclude that recurrent headaches are due to worrying too much or stress.

Treatment for Migraine Headache

1. Reassurance: This headache is similar to previous migraine headaches that your child has experienced.

2. Migraine Medication:

   • 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 over-the-counter drug for migraine. Give ibuprofen now and repeat in 6 hours if needed (See Dosage Table).

3. Sleep: 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.

4. Prevention of Migraine Attacks:

   • Stay well hydrated.

   • Don't skip meals.

   • Get adequate sleep each night.

5. Call Your Doctor If:

   • Headache becomes much worse than usual

   • Headache lasts longer than usual

And remember, contact your doctor if your child develops any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.