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KidsCare Online

Headache

Pain Medicine:
- Give acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed for pain relief.
- See dosage chart.
- Ask your pharmacist to recommend a pediatric brand containing either of these ingredients.
- Headaches due to fever are also helped by fever reduction.
Food: Give fruit juice or food if your child is hungry or hasn't eaten in more than 4 hours (Reason: skipping a meal can cause a headache in many children).
Rest: Lie down in a quiet place and relax until feeling better.
Local Cold: Apply a cold washcloth or ice pack to the forehead for 20 minutes.
Stretching: Stretch and massage any tight neck muscles.
Migraine Headaches Diagnosed in the Past: If your child's doctor has prescribed a specific medication for migraine, give it as directed as soon as the migraine starts. If not, ibuprofen is the best OTC (over-the-counter) drug for migraine. Give ibuprofen now and repeat in 6 hours if needed. (See dosage chart.) Also, have your child lie down in a dark, quiet place and try to fall asleep. People experiencing a migraine often awaken from sleep with their migraine gone.
IF your child becomes worse: Review Should I Call? recommendations.