Headaches And Migraines In Toddlers

5 min read

Written by Editorial Team

Editorial Team

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.

A toddler can also have headaches or migraines for more or less the same reasons as adults. The range of causes and level of severity of headaches are often far and wide.
Little girl with headache

How Common Are Headaches In Children?

It has been quoted on webmd.com that a large chunk of 20% of adults who get headaches and migraines report that they started experiencing headaches before they turned 10, while a hefty 50% say that their headaches started before they turned 20. Headaches are more common in girls after they reach puberty, and in kids who have a history of headaches and migraines.

How Do I Know If My Toddler Has A Headache?

Once a baby turns into a toddler, he can point out his pain to you. But, when it comes to a headache, a toddler may not be able to understand and locate the area of pain as a headache is often localized to more than one area in the head and face.
A toddler, when having a headache, often shows the following signs:

You will find him holding his head
He will exhibit low energy and less active
Might show irritation to bright lights
May not like to be touched or never let you hold him
Cannot sleep properly
Gets more irritated when exposed to loud voices
Furrowed brow
Poor appetite

Types Of Headaches In Toddlers And The Respective Symptoms

The most common type of headaches found among toddlers can be broadly divided into 3.

Primary headaches: They are not caused by the underlying disease and are neither connected to other medical conditions. They are the more common type of headaches that found among the children. Primary headaches include Tension headaches, Migraines, Cluster headaches, and arise due to non-pathological conditions.
- Tension headache:
  Don’t get surprised as this is a fairly common type of headache among the toddlers, and it is caused by several emotional and physical stressors. The pain will range from mild to moderate. This type of headache won’t get worse by daily activities, but the child may show sensitiveness to light and noise and feel too tired.
  This type of headache differs from a migraine as tension-type headache is not accompanied by nausea and vomiting.
  Other symptoms and causes Tension Headaches in Toddlers are:

Changes in a child’s sleeping habits. They tend to sleep more
Slow onset of the pain
Head usually hurts on both side, and occasionally the pain may extend to the back of head and neck
Sinus infections
Hungry
Dehydration
Allergies
Straining of eyes due to playing video-games and prolonged use of computers

Cluster headache:
This is very rarely found among children below 12 years of age. Symptoms are:

Pain concentrated on one side of the head, usually behind the eye. The affected eye may have a droopy eyelid
Cluster headaches usually appear as episodes – ranging from one headache every other to many in a single day
Swelling at the forehead, congestion, agitation, and restlessness

Migraine:
Symptoms and causes of migraine in toddlers differ from that in adults.

Toddler with a migraine becomes temporarily unsteady and off-balance
Become less active, as the pain worsens with exertion
Dizziness, nausea, and vomiting
Tends to hide to avoid intense light, sound, and smell
Afraid to walk or move as they tend to fall down
Complain of abdominal pain
Pounding and throbbing pain. You could sense it if you lightly touch the sides of the head

Secondary headaches: They are more worrisome headaches as the problems in the brain cause them. The cause range from a brain tumor, inflammatory diseases like meningitis, abnormalities of spinal fluid, to an aneurysm (excessive localized swelling of the wall of the artery), or any pathological conditions that cause high pressure on the skull.Secondary headaches are relatively rare among toddlers. But, when the symptoms are recognized, immediate further tests to diagnose the underlying disease and undergoing treatment accordingly is very important.
These are some symptoms that arise with the headache, which needs more tests to brush off or confirm the complicated underlying health issues.

Weakness in arms and legs
Pain worsens during a cough and sneeze
Sudden onset of pain
A headache that keeps on getting severe and consistent
The child cannot sleep due to high-intensity pain
Child of very young age with a recurrent headache and changes in vision
When followed by epileptic seizures
Headaches start early in the morning with vomiting. This points to a chance of brain tumor

Illness or injury-related headaches: Viral infections or upper respiratory infections are the common reason for the headache found among the toddlers. Minor head injuries that can happen in school, playground, or home can cause headaches.
But when the injury is followed by severe nausea, vomiting, unconsciousness, or other worrisome symptoms can occur, which needs immediate medical attention. Other symptoms that surfaces after an injury which points to the necessity of immediate attention are:

General weakness
Difficulty speaking
Difficulty standing or walking
Disturbance of vision
Neck pain or stiffness

Headache in toddlers

Diagnosing Headaches Among Kids

- Diagnosing a headache is done by a physical exam and examining medical history. A thorough neurological exam conducted by a child’s specialist helps him pin down the possibilities of the secondary headache
- Brushing off the possibilities of the secondary headache through blood tests, CT scans, MRI scan, etc. is a method to confirm a primary headache

It is appreciable to keep a headache diary listing the frequency, how long it lasts, circumstances that brought them like particular things the child might have eaten, some health issues that accompany a headache, or appear before a headache, etc. This will simplify the diagnosis process

How Can Headaches In Children Be Treat?

The treatment depends on the age, severity, overall health of the toddler, and nature of a headache. The primary headaches can be controlled if handled with care.

Most of the headaches are harmless and will disappear with proper rest
A cold compress or icepack in the forehead will help to reduce the pain and discomfort
Make him take rest in a quiet, dark room

When these remedies don’t work, and the headache persists and get worsens immediate medical attention.

When Should I Head To The Doctor?

When the headache is a result of a fall or head injury, it is important to take the toddler to the doctor as soon as possible, especially when the child starts to vomit. The benefit of the treatment and tests is weighed against the risk by your child’s doctor before deciding the medication and tests to undergo on toddlers. Follow the medication prescribed by your child’s doctors.
Never go for over the countertop medication. Never give the toddler the grownups medicines even in a reduced dose according to your wish.

How Can Headaches In Children Be Prevent?

Primary headaches can be prevented by:

Spending more time with your toddler, not cutting on your busy hours
Practicing healthy eating habits and avoiding junk food
Reducing the computer and television time
Never letting the toddler skip a meal
Staying physically active
Let you child take enough rest and sleep properly
Identify, reduce and eliminate the factors causing strain
Keep a headache diary for children who frequently have migraine attacks. This way the parents can identify the factors triggering migraine and avoid such situations

Extend your comfort and support to your child by standing beside him throughout the time he is experiencing the discomfort of the headache as he will be confused and scared.

Editorial Team,

With a rich experience in pregnancy and parenting, our team of experts create insightful, well-curated, and easy-to-read content for our to-be-parents and parents at all stages of parenting.Read more.

Have a Toddler?

Child Safety and Health