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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffOTC pain medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), are usually effective in reducing headache pain. Before giving your child pain medication, keep these points in mind:
- Read labels carefully and use only the dosages recommended for your child.
- Don't give doses more frequently than recommended.
- Don't give your child OTC pain medication more than two or three days a week. Daily use can trigger a rebound headache, a type of headache caused by overuse of pain medications.
- Use caution when giving aspirin to children or teenagers. Though aspirin is approved for use in children older than age 2, children and teenagers recovering from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take aspirin. This is because aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, in such children. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
In addition to OTC pain medications, the following can help ease your child's headache:
- Rest and relaxation. Encourage your child to rest in a dark, quiet room. Sleeping often resolves headaches in children.
- Use a cool, wet compress. While your child rests, place a cool, wet cloth on his or her forehead.
- Offer a healthy snack. If your child hasn't eaten in a while, offer a piece of fruit, whole-wheat crackers or low-fat cheese. Not eating can make headaches worse.
References
- Bronthius DJ, et al. Approach to the child with headache. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
- Cummings E, et al. Evaluation and management of headache in the pediatric patient. Emergency Medicine. 2009;41:36.
- Abu-Arafeh I, et al. Prevalence of headache and migraine in children and adolescents: A systematic review of population-based studies. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2010;52:1088.
- Cruse RP. Management of migraine headache in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
- Cruse RP. Pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of migraine in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
- Monteith TS, et al. Tension type headache in adolescence and childhood: Where are we now? Current Pain and Headache Reports. 2010;14:424.
- Cruse RP. Tension-type headache in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 3, 2011.
- Lewis D, et al. Practice parameter: Pharmacological treatment of migraine headache in children and adolescents: Report of the American Academy of Neurology Quality Standards Subcommittee and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2004;63:2215.
- Lewis D, et al. Practice parameter: Evaluation of children and adolescents with recurrent headaches: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society. Neurology. 2002;59:490.
- Headaches in children. American Headache Society. http://www.achenet.org/education/patients/HeadachesinChildren.asp. Accessed Jan. 4, 2011.
- Anttila P. Tension-type headache in childhood and adolescence. The Lancet Neurology. 2006;5:268.
- Mahoney KR (expert opinion). Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Md. Jan. 10, 2011
- Internal analgesic, antipyretic and antirheumatic drug products for over-the-counter human use: Tentative final monograph. Federal Register.1988;53:46204.
- Mack KJ. An approach to children with chronic daily headache. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology. 2006;48:997.
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