Symptoms

Children get the same types of headaches adults do, but their symptoms may be a little different. For example, migraine pain in adults often lasts at least four hours — but in children, the pain may not last as long.

Differences in symptoms may make it difficult to pinpoint headache type in a child, especially in a younger child who can't describe symptoms. In general, though, certain symptoms tend to fall more frequently into certain categories.

Migraine

Migraines can cause:

• Pulsating or throbbing head pain
• Pain that worsens with activity
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Extreme sensitivity to light and sound

Even infants can have migraines. A child who's too young to tell you what's wrong may cry or rock back and forth to indicate severe pain.

Tension-type headache

Tension-type headaches can cause:

• A pressing tightness in the muscles of the head or neck
• Mild to moderate, nonpulsating pain on both sides of the head
• Pain that's not worsened by physical activity
• Headache that's not accompanied by nausea or vomiting, as is often the case with migraine

Younger children may withdraw from regular play and want to sleep more. Tension-type headaches can last from 30 minutes to several days.

Cluster headache

Cluster headaches are uncommon in children under 10 years of age. They usually:

• Occur in groups of five or more episodes, ranging from one headache every other day to eight a day
• Involve sharp, stabbing pain on one side of the head that lasts less than three hours
• Are accompanied by teariness, congestion, runny nose, or restlessness or agitation

Chronic daily headache

Doctors use the phrase "chronic daily headache" (CDH) for migraines and tension-type headaches that occur more than 15 days a month. CDH may be caused by an infection, minor head injury or taking pain medications — even nonprescription pain medications — too often.

When to see a doctor

Most headaches aren't serious, but seek prompt medical care if your child's headaches:

• Wake your child from sleep
• Worsen or become more frequent
• Change your child's personality
• Follow an injury, such as a blow to the head
• Feature persistent vomiting or visual changes
• Are accompanied by fever and neck pain or stiffness

Talk to your child's doctor if you're worried or have questions about your child's headaches.