Like adults, children sometimes deal with headaches caused by a variety of reasons. While most juvenile headaches aren't caused by serious conditions, the pain can signal an underlying problem that needs immediate medical attention. Identifying the root cause of juvenile headaches allows you to better treat them and learn when to call your health care provider.
Illness and Disease
Children's headaches often stem from health issues ranging from a minor illness to a serious disease. The common cold, influenza, sinus infections, strep and ear infections are illnesses that could cause a juvenile headache. More serious health-related causes include encephalitis, meningitis, brain tumor or Lyme disease, although these conditions are rare in children. Watch for additional symptoms that could indicate a more serious problem such as fever, stiff neck, rash, visual disturbances or dizziness.
Injury
An injury to the head is another potential source of headache pain in children. Children often bump their heads during the course of the day doing normal activities like playing. Even a small bump to the head causes a headache in some children. A more serious bump or fall on the head should receive medical attention to ensure your child doesn't need treatment. If the headache following a head injury continues to get worse, call your child's doctor to determine if an exam is necessary.
Activities
Certain activities increase the chance of a headache in children. Activities that cause eye strain, such as using a computer or playing video games, may result in a headache. Limit your child's time on these activities to reduce the risk of headaches. Other activities that could spark a headache include traveling for long periods of time, running around outdoors in extreme heat, being around loud noises and staying up late without getting enough sleep. Dehydration can also cause a headache, so keep your child hydrated, particularly in warm weather.
Environment
Environmental factors cause some children to experience headaches. Certain strong smells are possible culprits. Smoke and perfume-like scents are two common odors a child may face that spark a headache. A particularly stressful environment is also a possible cause of a child's headache. For example, if the child lives in a home where her parents fight constantly, she may feel stressed and experience frequent headaches. Help your child monitor her stress levels if she seems to respond to the situations with a headache.
