Stupid Question- Headaches in Kids

Updated on July 05, 2011
K.J. asks from Naperville, IL
22 answers

Ok, I know this is going to sound so stupid to some of you seasoned mothers, but I have to ask anyways...

Today my 4.5 yr old told me his head hurt. First time was in the morning and then he didn't say it again until after lunch. I gave him some Tylenol and put him down for a nap (he hasn't napped on his own for a few weeks.) He has been asleep for 2 hrs.

What do you do when your kid gets a headache? Just tylenol and rest? Do you ever worry there might be something more serious going on? I guess I always equate my own headaches with stress and assume that they all have causes, but what makes a 4 yr old's head hurt?

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D.V.

answers from Chicago on

If it happens a lot more, have his vision tested, or make a diary of his food intake so you can notice a pattern. Headaches can be a side effect from food allergies. Another thought, I knew a little girl who hated to go to the bathroom, and eventually developed headaches. They determined it was the toxins in her body re-absorbing and causing her to feel bad.

1 mom found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

Well there's a zillion different reasons for a headache.

If it's there again tomorrow and the next day, or you notice any other new symptoms, then I would def call the doc.

Hopefully when he wakes up he'll feel just fine!

Either way, let us know.

:)

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

I AM NOT A DOCTOR....I am thinking out loud here.....
Did he hit his head?
Does he have a noticeable bump or bruise on his head?
Does diabetes or hypoglycemia run in the family?
It's summer - is he hydrated? drinking water, kool-aid and sucking on frozen juice pops?

If he's still sleeping smell his breath - if it's sweet smelling - it could be diabetes...

there are many things that can make a child's head hurt - poor eyesight, diabetes, hypoglycemic, dehydrated, just plain tired...if it's still hurting when he wakes up - look at his eyes...if your mommy radar is going off - trust it and follow it...better to be safe than sorry!

3 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

When my son was that age he started complaining of headaches. The worry wart that I am took him to a ped neurologist who said he was just fine. I have since traced it to riding in the car on a sunny day.

2 moms found this helpful

S.H.

answers from Spokane on

My 7 y/o gets allergy headaches and my 8 y/o nephew gets headaches when he is dehydrated or hungry.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Headaches can be from many things, from serious, to just a cold or tiredness to getting a head injury.

Does he have any fever?
Is he hydrated?
Is he hungry?
These are basic sources.

Or take him to the Doctor?

Is he still sleeping???
Check on him....
He may be sick....?

Don't guess.
Take him to the Doc.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Tylenol. My son started getting migrains at about 4. we would see them a good 2 hours before he actually complained. he would start rolling his head around on his neck. we had to put him in his room with the shades drawn, the fan going to cover outside noise and turn out the light. he would fall asleep after the tylenol and sleep sometimes for up to 10 or 12 hours. with only waking for me to shove more tylenol down if needed. Something to watch for is whether you see him scooting closer to the tv if he gets a lot of headaches he may need his eyes checked.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.K.

answers from Phoenix on

I had horrible headaches around that age. Now that I think back, I really think they were migraines, would be in the worst pain. I had to be in a completely dark room and had a hard time focusing. I never did find out what was causing them. I am still prone to headaches but don't get them like that anymore.

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

Kids get headaches for the same reasons we do - dehydration, fatigue, low blood sugar, stress.

I rarely get headaches and have never had a migraine, but my daughter (now 9) has had several migraines in the last few years. She is getting better at sensing them coming on and drinking and eating and resting if possible can make them go away. If hers doesn't go away, she sometimes throws up, then takes a nap, and then wakes up feeling fine.

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S.U.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter had headaches when she was 21/2. It happened often so I took her to the dr. Found out she had migraines. They are hereditary. I didn't know this until he asked if I or her dad had them. The headaches were also with stomachaches. It was from stress. Didn't know she could have stress at her age but it was from not seeing my husband much because of work. Once he was able to get home in enough time to play with her before bed the stress was gone. But we did give pain meds when she was hurting and tried to get her to rest with lights out and very quiet. It did pass. She's now 4 yrs old and migraine free, so far.
S.

1 mom found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Johnson City on

My son has allergies and oftentimes he gets a headache from the pressure and fluid build up. Has he had a cold or any sinus lately?

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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

It is really hot outside, perhaps you can keep the liquids flowing. Sometimes that helps Once he wakes up.You are on the right track.Keep your eye on him and as always if this continues be sure you call the doctor.Pedia lite might help, keeping him a cool room and of course lots of hugs and kisses!!!

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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

My 4yr old used to get headaches too my pedi said to limit nitrates in his system ... it seemed to have worked, 2 months no headaches.

1 mom found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

being dehydrated, lack of sleep, eye strain, etc... the same types of things that can make yours or mine hurt.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.N.

answers from Chicago on

My son gets migraines. Since they happen often, we are taking him for a CT just to be safe. As other say, make sure he is well hydrated. This can cause headaches, as can lack of sleep. My son has a medical condition that can result in bleeding and one of the things we know to watch out for is dizziness, blurred vision, and spots or shadows when he is looking at something. When he gets the headaches, he takes tylenol and uses a cool rag on his head to try to help it. If the headache is pounding, definitely get it checked out.

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B.M.

answers from Chicago on

Kids get headaches too. My kids get headaches when they are hungary (so do I) and when they are sick. When they are sick, I give them medicine and they usually sleep without asking.

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M.W.

answers from St. Cloud on

Not a stupid question at all!

We take the kids to the chiropractor if they complain their head hurts. And their necks are out of alignment each time! One adjustment and they are good to go!

Find one that specializes in kids! We love ours!

A.G.

answers from Dallas on

Both of my boys get headaches from time to time. Sometimes from allergies, playing outside in the heat, mild dehydration, just being tired, or who knows what. I have them lay down in a cool, dark room, and if it persists I give them Ibuprofen. Tylenol does nothing for my kids. Usually Ibuprofen and rest does the trick.

My oldest has had two migraines (throwing up, crying in pain, light sensitivity, the whole nine yards). It made me so sad, and I felt guilty too, although I know that's ridiculous. I've had pretty constant migraines since I was 14, and I hate to think that I may have passed them on to him. :(

L.M.

answers from Dover on

My son started getting migranes when he was 4.5 years old. After multiple, back to back headaches (some w/ nausea and/or vomitting), we took him to the doctor, tried some medications, had some tests, and found it was just migranes...we had to rule other things out to come to this conclusion though. My now 4.5 year old daughter started getting headaches over a year ago, with her it was specifically on her forehead and turned out to be sinus/allergy related. Other non-serious reasons could just be a headaches (everyone gets one sometimes), strep throat, stress (yes, kids get stressed too). Then there are a whole host of more serious causes.

I would not worry about any of the above unless he has more symptoms or repeated headaches. I would just watch him over the next few days and see how he does.

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J.G.

answers from Rockford on

I had problems with headaches as a child. I remember going to an eye doctor to see if that was the cause. The first eye doctor I saw told me to go see an allergist. I was (still am) sensitive to molds in older buildings, but that didn't end the headaches, in fact they got worse. We went to a second eye doctor to give that another go, and they saw that I, in fact, have an astigmatism in both eyes. My vision has been a problem that has been rather difficult to diagnose. I don't know why, but I go back and forth between being near sited and being far sited. It baffles the doctors, and I can't explain it.
But for me as a kid, to treat it, all I did was take Tylenol until I was about 10 then I moved on to Ibuprofen. Naps always helped.

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L.K.

answers from Chicago on

My kids get a headache with strep throat . That is the only symptom they get until they get a fever usually in the middle of the night. Also, my son gets tired like that too. Otherwise he is usually full of energy. Good luck :)

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter rarely gets headaches but when she does, I'm assuming it is because she is tired because I give her some Tylenol, she takes a nap & it is gone. She normally no longer naps so I'm assuming the headache is from being over tired. If you want some reassurance, ask your pediatrician. He/she should be able to give you some info on headaches as far as when to worry or seek medical attention.

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