When to see a medical professional?

Children's headaches aren't usually serious and can be treated at home.Seek medical advice if painkillers are not helping your child's headaches and if they are recurring, severe or worsening. Other symptoms requiring professional consultation include:Severe throbbing pain to the side or front of the headNausea and/or vomitingDouble visionExtra-sensitivity to light/soundWeakness or numbness in the limbsDifficulty speaking.Speak to your GP urgently if your child is experiencing a severe headache with a painful jaw when eating, blurred or double vision and their scalp feels sore.Go to A&E or call 999 if your child develops a very sudden bad headache, especially after a fall or accident.

Explore headache symptoms

Headaches aren’t confined to adults – children can get them too. But because kids often experience headaches differently to adults, they can go unnoticed.
A headache or migraine can impact your little one's day and be accompanied by other symptoms such as sickness or tummy ache. However, they do tend to recover quickly.
There are some simple measures you can take to help prevent your child developing headache, or to ease symptoms if they are suffering from one.

What to do:

have the child lie down quietly in a darkened room
apply a cool, moistened towel or cloth to the forehead
encourage easy and deep breathing
encourage sleep: the body’s natural way of healing
invite them to eat or drink (not caffeinated drinks)
give paracetamol or Ibuprofen: syrup is easier for kids
if your child gets frequent headaches, you can teach them some simple relaxation techniques.

What to avoid:

skipping meals
dehydration: encourage drinking water throughout the day
irregular bedtimes and inadequate sleep
caffeinated drinks, which can cause dehydration.

Why Ibuprofen can help?

Ibuprofen relieves pain, fever and has anti-inflammatory properties. It works by reducing hormones that cause pain and swelling in the body, reducing pain, fevers and more.

Why Nurofen for Children can help

Nurofen for Children 3 months to 9 years Suspension provides up to 8-hour pain and fever relief. It has anti-inflammatory properties and is fast-acting, starting to reduce a fever in just 15 minutes. It’s available in strawberry or orange flavours and is free from artificial colours and flavours.

For children over 12 years old, try Nurofen Mint Meltlets. They conveniently dissolve on the tongue, with no need for water – a quick and easy way for older children to move through a headache and get on with their day.

Common types of headaches in children

Migraines
The wide symptoms of migraines can include a throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound. There can be a warning of disturbed vision at onset (aura migraine).

Tension headaches
A tension headache can feel like a squeezing pressure to the head or neck, a mild to moderate aching sensation rather than throbbing, with no nausea or sickness. Your child may be sleepier than normal. It can last from half an hour to several days.

Medication Overuse headaches
Painkillers taken too often – more than half the days in a month, can cause headaches in children.

Frequent causes

High levels of stress and/or anxiety
Dehydration
Skipping meals: it can create low blood sugar levels
Noisy environments
Cold or flu
Bad posture
Medication overuse
Eyesight problems

: Children's headaches aren't usually serious and can be treated at home.
Seek medical advice if painkillers are not helping your child's headaches and if they are recurring, severe or worsening. Other symptoms requiring professional consultation include:
Severe throbbing pain to the side or front of the head
Nausea and/or vomiting
Double vision
Extra-sensitivity to light/sound
Weakness or numbness in the limbs
Difficulty speaking.
Speak to your GP urgently if your child is experiencing a severe headache with a painful jaw when eating, blurred or double vision and their scalp feels sore.
Go to A&E or call 999 if your child develops a very sudden bad headache, especially after a fall or accident.

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Products on this page contain Ibuprofen.
Always read the Label.

If symptoms persist, see your healthcare professional.
All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe.
In all health matters for further information or medical advice, please speak to your GP or a Pharmacist.