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.
(To go directly to these topics, click on the links following this document.)
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. 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.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital is located in Palo Alto, adjacent to Stanford University Hospital, approximately 20 miles north of San Jose, CA and 40 miles south of San Francisco.
