Headache

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Headache

The most common type of headaches in children is tension headache.

It is important to recognize what could set off some types of headaches because they can be dangerous or require treatment of the underlying cause.

For instance, dental or sinus infection could set off a headache and if not treated, the headache may not go away.

Let's continue and see what your child is looking at.

Continue

 

 

 

Headache

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How serious?

First
Let's rule out headaches that are medical emergencies.

We have to take this seriously.

 

Is the child's speech getting slurred with this headache?

 

Seek Emergency Room.

Call 911 if the vision is also changing.
Seek urgent care

Seek urgent care

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER

 

Is this headache making your child lose his or her balance?

 

Yes?

 

Is it making him or her lose the memory?

 

Yes?

 

Is it making him or her get confused about things around?

 

Seek Emergency Room Visit.

Seek urgent care

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER

 

Does the child have fever with this headache?

Yes No

 

 

 

 

Headache

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Has fever

Headache with fever may or may not require ER visit.

But let's make sure your child is not looking at an emergency situation like meningitis.

 

Any nausea and vomiting with this fever and headache?

 

 

Is he or she experiencing increased sensitivity to light?

 

Seek Emergency Room.

Here is why:

  • Need to rule out meningitis which is a medical emergency.

Seek urgent care

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER

 

What about breathing rapidly with this headache and fever?

 

Seek Emergency Room.

Here is why:

  • Need to rule out meningitis or encephalitis which is a medical emergency.

Seek urgent care

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER

 

Is the child's neck getting stiff?

 

Seek Emergency Room.

Here is why:

  • Need to rule out meningitis which is a medical emergency.
  • Your child may be looking at a possible encephalitis.

Have the child try touching his or her chin to the chest.

If the neck is so stiff that the chin cannot touch the chest, call 911.

This is serious unless you are sure it is a nerve problem or something you know your child has.

Meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness. Early treatment is important.

Seek urgent care

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER

 


We had to make sure this is not meningitis or encephalitis.

These can be life threatening and require emergency care.

Alright

 

 

 

 

Headache

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Did this headache start suddenly all at once or slowly?

 

Seek Emergency Room.

Here is why:

  • A headache that starts suddenly may mean something very serious going on.

Seek urgent care

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER

 

Is this headache a result of a head injury?

 

Seek emergency room visit.

Here is why:

  • Will need further evaluation.

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER

 

Would your child say this is the worst headache he or she has ever had?

 

Seek urgent care or emergency room.

Here is why:

  • Something serious is possibly going on.

Note:
You should only continue if your child is not experiencing the question asked.

Children's ER

 

So far we tried to rule out emergency room visit.

Some headaches may be a sign of a more serious illness. It was important we eliminated those threats.

Let's continue and see how you can take care of your child's headache.

Alright

 

 

 

 

Headache

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Nature of headache

How would the child describe this headache?

 

 

 

 

Headache

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Tension-like?

A tension headache is also called muscle contraction headache.

Let's see if your child is really looking at tension headache or something else.

 

Would he or she describe the headache as all over the head?

Not just in one point or one side.

 

All over?
Tension headaches sometimes does this.

 

Did it start at the back of the head and moved forward?

 

Yes?
This is a symptom of tension headache.

Symptoms include:

  • Headache all over the head
  • Headache starting at the back of the head and moving forward

 

Ask the child if the headache feels dull

 

Yes?
This is a symptom of a tension headache.

Symptoms include:

  • Headache all over the head
  • Headache starting at the back of the head and moving forward
  • Feeling dull

 

Would he or she say it is pressure-like?
(not throbbing)

Like a tight band around the head?

 

Yes?
Hmmm. Most likely looking at a tension headache.

Symptoms include:

  • Headache all over the head
  • Headache starting at the back of the head and moving forward
  • Feeling dull
  • Pressure-like (not throbbing)
  • Like a tight band around the head

 

Does this headache get worse at the end of the day?

 

Okay
Most likely looking at tension headache.

Symptoms include:

  • Headache all over the head
  • Headache starting at the back of the head and moving forward
  • Feeling dull
  • Pressure-like (not throbbing)
  • Like a tight band around the head
  • Headache that gets worse at the end of the day.

 

The shoulders and neck, do they feel sore?

 

Yes?
Thinking of tension headache then.

Symptoms include:

  • Headache all over the head
  • Headache starting at the back of the head and moving forward
  • Feeling dull
  • Pressure-like (not throbbing)
  • Like a tight band around the head
  • Headache that gets worse at the end of the day.
  • Shoulders and neck may feel sore.

 


Those were the symptoms of a tension headache.

Tension headaches tend to start from the back of the head and spread towards the front.

The pain is usually like a band squeezing the head and it tends to be on both sides of the head or all over.

It might be worse in the scalp, temples, or back of the neck, and even in the shoulders.

This is because they occur when neck and scalp muscles become tense, or contract in response to something like stress, dental problems, computer work, eye strain, caffeine use, head injury, anxiety or cold and flu.

Let's continue and see what we can come up with.

Alright

 

 

 

 

Headache

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How bad is it?

On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad would your child describe this headache?

With 10 being child can't function right now.






Well, not too bad

Probably looking at a headache due to a slight cold coming up.

Let's continue and answer a few more questions before we see what a pharmacist recommend you give your child for headache that is available over the counter.

Nearest Clinic Continue

Must be uncomfortable

Image

Let's continue and answer a few more questions before we see what a pharmacist recommend you give your child for headache that is available over the counter.

Nearest Clinic Continue

Must be a rough one.

Image

Let's continue and answer a few more questions before we see what a pharmacist recommend you give your child for headache that is available over the counter.

Nearest Clinic Continue

 

 

 

Headache

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Other symptoms?

Any other symptoms with this headache your child has?

Choose from the list below if any.


Alright.
Let's see what a pharmacist recommend for this headache.

Would you like to do this or take the child to the nearest urgent care clinic for this headache?

Urgent Care Pharmacist

 

None of these?
Anyway, let's see what a pharmacist recommend for this headache.

Would you like to do this or take the child to the nearest urgent care clinic for this headache?

Urgent Care Pharmacist

 

No other symptoms?
We are dealing with just headache then.

Note that some illness like a flu, cold or strep throat usually start with a headache.

Let's see what a pharmacist recommend to help with this headache at least for now.

Would you like to do this or take the child to the nearest urgent care clinic for this headache?

Urgent Care Pharmacist

 

 

 

 

 

Migraine

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Migraine?

Migraines are headaches that can last hours or even days.

All your child can think of right now is finding a quiet, dark and peaceful place to just lay the head.

Please Continue

 

 

 

Migraine

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Has the child been diagnosed with migraine by a doctor before?

Yes No

 

 

 

Migraine

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Diagnosed

Alright
We will assume you know what the triggers are.

We will also assume your child is taking prescription migraine medications.

Have your child do the following for now:

  • Look for a quiet, dark room and get some rest there
  • Place a cool cloth on the head
  • Stop moving around. The pain or throbbing headache will get worse.
  • See if he or she can get some sleep
  • Have him or her try drinking some coffee or cola

Let's continue to see what a pharmacist recommend you use to help with this migraine headache that is over-the-counter.

Alright

 

 

 

Headache

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Not diagnosed

Let's do our best to see if this is a migraine headache.

We will take a look at the symptoms of migraine headache and move forward from there.

 

Would your child describe this headache as throbbing, pulsating?

Or pounding?

 

Yes?

 

 

Can he or she feel the pain in the back of the head or neck?

Or behind the eye?

 

Yes?
This is a symptom of a migraine headache.

Usually, one would feel the headache pain in the back of the head, behind the eye or in the back of the neck.

 

Would your child say the headache started on one side of the head?

 

Yes?
Migraine headache usually start on one side of the head.

Just a few more questions

 

Ask the child:
Did it start as a dull ache that got worse as time went on?

 

This is a symptom of migraine.

It usually start as a dull ache that will get worse as time goes on.

 

In addition to this headache any nausea and / or vomiting?

 

Yes?
Hmmm. This is a symptom of migraine.

Symptoms include:

  • Starting on one side of the head
  • Starting as a dull ache that gets worse with time
  • Nausea and/or vomiting

 

What about increased urination?

Or sweating?

 

This is a symptom of migraine.

Symptoms of migraine include:

  • Starting on one side of the head
  • Starting as a dull ache that gets worse with time
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Increased urination
  • Sweating

 

Does he or she lack appetite to eat?

 

No appetite?
This is one of the symptoms of a migraine headache.

Symptoms usually include:

  • Starting on one side of the head
  • Starting as a dull ache that gets worse with time
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Increased urination
  • Sweating
  • Lack of appetite.

 

Is the child feeling tingling sensations?

Or numbness?

 

Yes?
This is a symptom of migraine headache.

The numbness typically start in one hand and spread to the arm and face.

 

Is the child tired and yawning?

 

Yes?
May be looking at migraine headache.

 

Is the child experiencing visual problems like sensitivity to light?

Or blurring?

 

Yes?

 

What about seeing bright zig-zag lines or stars?

Or arcs of lights?

 


Visual aura occur for about 25% of people with migraine

We will assume your child is looking at migraine headaches. If you are still not too sure, let's explore some more.

Sure Not Sure

 

Alright.
Visual aura occur for about 25% of people with migraine

We will assume your child is looking at migraine headaches. If you are still not too sure, let's explore some more.

Sure Not Sure

 

 

 

 

Fever

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Is it migraine?

Does he or she have any problems with words or speech?

Or sound?

 

Yes

 

Any problems with concentration?

 

Yes?

 

Does this headache get worse when there is light?

 

Yes?

 

Does it get worse when the child move around?

Or do some work?

 

Yes?

 

What about when it is noisy?

 

Yes?
Suspect migraine headaches.

 


Those were the symptoms of migraine.

Let's continue and see how we can help your child with this migraine headache if you are sure this is what you are looking at.

Continue

 

 

 

 

Headache

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Any aura?

Did your child have an aura?
(Temporary warning neurological symptoms)

They can reflect as changes to the sensation, balance, muscle coordination, speech, or vision.

We listed some below. Which of these may have occured to the child?
Know that not everyone who suffers from migraines develop an aura.


Alright.
Would your child like to tell us how bad it is?

Continue

 

None of these?
Would your child like to tell us how bad it is?

Continue

 

 

 

 

 

Sinus headache

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Sinus headaches?

Sinus headaches cause pain in the front of the head and face.
Close

Sinus headache pain is due to swelling in the sinus cavities that are behind the eyes, nose and cheeks.

Usually, sinus headache is secondary to inflammation of the sinuses.

Before we see what a pharmacist recommend your child take for sinus headache that is available over-the-counter, let's see if it is a sinus headache in the first place.

FYI Alright

 

 

 

Sinus headache

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Is it sinus headache?

With this headache, does the child also have runny nose?

 

Yes?

 

 

What about pain in the face?

 

Pain in the face?
Thinking headache due to inflammation of the sinuses.

The sinuses are in the facial area and problems with the sinuses will lead to pain in the face.

 

Does he or she feel pain when moving the eyes?

 

Yes?
Inflammation of the sinuses will cause this.

Sinus symptoms include:

  • Runny nose
  • Pain in the face
  • Pain on moving the eyes.

 

Is the child noticing a decrease in the sense of smell and taste?

 

Alright.
This is a sign of sinus inflammation.

Symptoms include:

  • Runny nose
  • Pain in the face
  • Pain when moving the eyes.
  • Decreased sense of smell
  • Decreased sense of taste

 


Sinusitis is a secondary cause of sinus headache.

A few more questions to rule that out.

 

Yes?

 

Is this headache worse on first waking up in the morning?

 

Yes?

 

Does it get worse when he or she bend forward?

Like trying to tie the shoes?

 

Yes?
Most likely looking at inflammation of the sinuses.

The pain tend to get worse when one first wake up in the morning or when bending forward.

 


We just discussed the main symptoms of sinusitis.

If your child answered "No" to most of these questions, then we suggest you talk to a healthcare provider for further evaluation.

If you are thinking a sinus related headache, let's make sure it is not a sinus infection your child is looking at.

 

Yes?

 

Does your child have any fever?

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

Here is why:

  • Your child is most likely looking at a sinus infection related headache.
    If you don't take care of the infection, the headache may not go away or keeps coming on and off.

Nearest Clinic

 

What about a sore throat?

No

 

Seek urgent care or call the pediatrician.

Here is why:

  • Your child is more than likely looking at a sinus infection
  • This will require some antibiotics.

Nearest Clinic Continue

 

 

 

 

Sinus headache

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How bad is it?


On a scale of 1 to 10 how bad is this sinus headache?

 




Not too bad.

Image

Any other symptoms?

Yes No

 

Getting bad?

Talk about possibility of sinus infection

Any other symptoms?

Yes No

 

Very bad?

May be looking at a sinus infection here.

Any other symptoms?

Yes No

 

 

 

 

 

Headache

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Text

None?
Let's see what a pharmacist recommend for this sinus headache.

Discuss a little bit of what to expect from the recommendation

Urgent Care Pharmacist

 

 

 

Headache

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Other symptoms

Which of these is the child experiencing with this sinus headache?


The sinuses are inflammed. Looking at sinusitis.

Close

Sinusitis is inflammation of the paranasal sinuses due to viral, bacterial, or fungal infections or allergic reactions.

Acute sinusitis is usually caused by a viral infection followed by a bacterial infection. This is because the viral infection impairs the ability of the sinuses to clear bacteria from that area. Bacteria will now colonize the sinuses leading to infection.

Your child will need to see a doctor for some kind of antibiotic.

Let's see what a pharmacist recommend you do until he or she can see a doctor.

FYI Nearest Clinic Pharmacist

None of these?
We must have left something out.

Let's see what a pharmacist recommend your child take or do that is available over-the-counter to help with this sinus headache.

Urgent Care Pharmacist