Pediatric Headache Check
A validated tool for assessment of headache in childern. Built for parents.
⚠️ Safety First: This tool is for educational purposes only. It helps you understand common headache patterns but cannot diagnose your child. If your child has a sudden severe headache, confusion, or looks very unwell, seek medical help immediately.
Step 1: Check for “Red Flags”
Does your child have any of these specific signs?
Fever or RashWith neck stiffness or sickness
Balance IssuesClumsiness, confusion, or weakness
Sudden “Thunderclap”Very severe pain reaching peak instantly
Wakes from SleepPain wakes them up at night
Morning VomitingBeing sick right after waking up
Worse with CoughingPain spikes when sneezing/straining
Getting WorsePain is more frequent or severe over time
Step 2: Describe the Pain
1. Where is the pain?
2. What does it feel like?
3. How bad is it?
4. Does running/playing make it worse?
5. Other Symptoms (Select all that apply)
Feeling Sick / Vomiting
Lights hurt eyes
Sounds hurt ears
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Parent’s Guide: Understanding Headaches
Migraine in Children
Migraines in kids can look different than in adults. They often last a shorter time (2 hours instead of days) and hurt on both sides of the forehead (adults usually get it on one side). They often feel sick to their stomach and want to lie in a dark room.
Tension-Type Headache
These are the most common. They feel like a tight band around the head. They are annoying but usually don’t stop a child from playing or watching TV. They aren’t usually made worse by moving around.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I worry?
If the headache wakes them from sleep, is getting worse over weeks, or happens with vomiting in the morning without other illness. - Can eye strain cause headaches?
Yes, but it’s rare for it to be the only cause. However, getting an eye test is always a good idea if headaches are frequent. - What helps immediately?
Water, a small snack, and rest. If giving medication (like ibuprofen), it works best if given right at the start of the pain, rather than waiting until it’s severe.