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Home > Conditions > Symptom checker > Headache

Headache

Information and helpful advice on dealing with children’s headaches.

Headaches in children are common. Most of the time they are mild and only happen from time to time.

  • There are plenty of things you can do to help your child feel better such as making sure they drink plenty of water, taking regular exercise and ensuring they are sleeping well
  • Stress can often play a part in children’s headaches, especially the older they get so make sure you have a good chat about what is going on in their life
  • Sometimes headaches can be a sign of something more worrying. Please see below for some of these things to look out for

When should I worry and what should I do?

Important advice:

Call 999 or go to A&E now if your child:

  • If your child becomes very sleepy with their headache or is difficult to wake. 
  • If your child’s headache is associated with confusion, disorientation or change in behaviour. 
  • If your child’s headache is waking them from sleep. 
  • If your child’s headache is worse upon coughing or straining. 
  • If your child develops new, persistent blurring of their vision, double vision, new squint or abnormal eye movements. 
  • If your child develops new weakness, loss of balance or coordination problems or abnormal head posture or walking difficulties. 
  • If your child develops vomiting overnight or persistent daytime vomiting related to headache
Important advice:

Call 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if your child:

  • If your child’s headache is unresponsive to initial advice/treatment given by your doctor/nurse
  • If your child needs paracetamol or ibuprofen more than 3 times a week
  • If your child’s headache is impacting school attendance

How you can help your child’s headache:

  • Start a headache diary. Record the date, time, triggers, severity, and any other associated symptoms
  • Ensure your child drinking a good amount of fluid (no caffeine/fizzy drinks) 
  • Ensure your child is eating regular meals and doesn’t skip meals
  • Ensure your child has been getting good sleep
  • Ensure your child is having regular exercise
  • Consider limiting screen time
  • Simple analgesia paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given but less than 3 times a week
  • Book your child an eye test with your local optician

You can get general advice on the NHS Conditions or from your local pharmacy.

Where should you seek help?

  • If it is non-urgent, speak to your local pharmacist or health visitor.
  • Or contact you GP practice and a qualified member of the clinical team will assess if your child needs to be seen urgently.​​​​​​ For an urgent out-of-hours GP appointment, call NHS 111.
  • You should only call 999 or go your nearest A&E department in critical or life threatening situations.
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