Symptom Definition
- Pain or discomfort of the scalp or forehead areas.
- The face and ears are excluded.
- Main cause: muscle tension headache or headache from fever.
See More Appropriate Topic
- If followed a head injury within last 3 days, see HEAD TRAUMA.
- If pain is around the eye or the cheekbone, see SINUS PAIN AND CONGESTION.
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Call 911 Now (your child may need an ambulance)
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
- Your child looks or acts very sick.
- Confused thinking or slurred speech.
- Blurred or double vision.
- Weakness or unsteady walking.
- Stiff neck.
- Severe headache with fever or vomiting.
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9 and 4) 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
- Mild headache and you don't think your child needs to be seen.
Home Care Advice for Mild Headaches
- Pain Medicine: Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain relief (see Dosage table). Headaches due to fever are also helped by fever reduction.
- 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).
- Rest: Lie down in a quiet place and relax until feeling better.
- Local Cold: Apply a cold washcloth or ice pack to the forehead for 20 minutes.
- Stretching: Stretch and massage any tight neck muscles.
- Call Your Doctor If:
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.
Parent Care for Pediatric Symptoms. Copyright © 2000. Barton D. Schmitt, MD, FAAP
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