HealthInfo Waitaha Canterbury
Headaches & migraines in children
A headache is pain in the head or neck area.
Headaches and migraines are quite common in tamariki (children) and usually do not have a serious cause. But they can be distressing for tamariki and worrying for their parents.
Symptoms of headaches and migraines in children
Tension type headaches are the most common type of headache. They can feel like a dull heavy ache or a pressing tightness affecting both sides of the head. The pain is sometimes described as “band-like”. Tension type headaches can last from a few hours to days.
Migraines can feel more severe than headaches. With a migraine the pain is usually on one side and throbbing. Migraines can be made worse by movement and can make your child feel sick or vomit, be sensitive to light and feel weak.
Some tamariki have a warning sign (aura) before a migraine. The commonest type of aura is a change in vision such as seeing lights or lines.
It's important to remember that it may be difficult for tamariki to describe their symptoms.
Causes of headaches and migraines in children
Headaches can be caused by many things, including not getting enough sleep, being stressed or anxious, viral infections such as a cold, sinusitis, dehydration and eye problems such as straining to read.
Very occasionally they can be part of a more serious illness such as bleeding inside the skull or a tumour.
Preventing headaches and migraines in children
If you know what triggers your child's headaches, you can try to avoid them.
- Poor sleep – See Sleep advice for children. Limiting screen time is also important as it may help improve sleep.
- Stress or anxiety – See Helping your child with anxiety.
- Not drinking enough – See How to get enough to drink.
- Eye problems – See Eye examinations for children.
Helping your child with headache and migraines
You can care for most headaches at home or school.
Headaches usually respond well to simple pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. Use as directed on the packaging. If you aren't sure what the correct dose is, check with your GP or pharmacist.
Other simple things that can help include:
- encouraging your tamaiti (child) to relax and breathe deeply
- lying them down in a cool, dark, quiet room
- placing a cool cloth across their eyes or forehead
- massaging or stretching their head and neck muscles.
Older tamariki children may find relaxation exercises and meditation helpful.
Getting help with headaches and migraines
If you're worried about your child's headaches or migraines, make an appointment with your GP.
It's important to get urgent medical help if your tamaiti child has any of the following symptoms:
- a severe headache out of the blue
- confusion or slurred speech
- feeling sick, a stiff neck, rash, fever, shakes or sensitivity to light (these are warning signs of meningitis)
- a severe headache when coughing, sneezing, going to the toilet or exercising
- a headache that wakes them up in the night
- a headache that suddenly gets worse
- sudden, regular headaches.
Read the links below to learn about different types of headache and headache triggers. The links also tell you how to describe headaches and how to help your tamaiti if they have a headache or a migraine.
If your tamaiti has frequent headaches, you can keep a headache log. Record the type, duration, frequency and if they needed pain relief.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Royal Children's Hospital
- Headaches in children and teenagers
This page has information about types of headaches, how to avoid headaches and how to treat a headache.
- Migraine headache
This page has information about migraines and what to do about them.
- Headaches in children and teenagers
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed November 2021.
SourcesReview key: HIHMK-35684
