Headaches are frequent in children and are typically not serious. Children, like adults, can suffer from a variety of headaches, including migraines and stress-related (tension) headaches. Chronic everyday headaches can also occur in children.
Childhood headaches can be caused by an infection, high-stress levels or anxiety, or trauma to the head. As a result, it is extremely vital that you monitor the child’s headache symptoms and, if the condition worsens, contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Children suffer from the same sorts of headaches as adults, although their symptoms may change somewhat. Migraine pain, for example, usually lasts at least four hours in adults, although it may not last as long in youngsters.
Even Infants Can Have Migraines
It can be distressing for a parent with a non-talking child, as they are unable to tell you what is wrong with them. If your child is crying or rocking back and forth, it commonly indicates severe pain, so it is important that you look out for any signs such as this.
Tension Headaches
If your child is suffering from a tension headache, it is likely that they may seem quieter than normal and turn down any opportunity to play, preferring to sleep instead.
Tension-type headaches can last from 30 minutes to several days.
When you Seek Help
Most headaches aren’t dangerous, but we recommend that you seek medical attention right away if your child has any of the following symptoms:
- Their headache has woken them from their sleep
- Become more intense or become more common
- Personality changes
- Persistant vomiting or visual changes, such as blurred vision
- Fever or stiffness/discomfort in the neck
Our team are highly experienced in providing investigation and treatment for childhood headaches and will be able to offer you with the best advice and care.
Paediatric Diagnostics have private clinics based in Dorking, Surrey and Wimbledon, London, meaning we are ideally placed to investigate and treat headaches in children throughout Surrey, Kent, and Southwest London, including Balham, Battersea, Brixton, Clapham, Earlsfield, Streatham, Stockwell, Tooting, Wandsworth, Chelsea, Earls Court, Fulham, Parsons Green, South Kensington, and West Brompton.
