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Headache

When should you worry?

If your child has any of the following:

  • They are very sleepy: difficult to wake up or keep awake
  • They are confused or behaving strangely
  • New, persistent blurring of vision, seeing double, a new squint or unusual eye movements
  • New weakness, loss of balance, coordination problems, are holding their head tilted to one side or have difficulty walking
  • Vomiting overnight or persistent daytime vomiting without diarrhoea
  • Breathing very fast or breathing that stops or pauses
  • Working hard to breathe, drawing in of the muscles below the rib (recession), unable to talk or noisy breathing (grunting)
  • Becomes pale, blue, mottled and/or unusually cold to touch
  • Has a fit (seizure)
  • Has a rash that does not disappear with pressure and seems unwell (see the 'Glass Test')

You need urgent help.

Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999

If your child has any of following:

  • Neck stiffness or pain
  • Discomfort with bright lights
  • A headache waking them from sleep
  • A headache worse on coughing or straining
  • A headache impacting on school attendance
  • Concerns about early or late puberty
  • Needing to use paracetamol or ibuprofen more than 3 days a week for their headache
  • A headache that does not get better after advice or treatment from your doctor or nurse
  • Breathing a bit faster than normal or working a bit harder to breathe
  • Dry skin, lips, tongue or looking pale
  • Not had a wee or wet nappy in last 8 hours
  • Temperature of 38oC or above for more than 5 days or shivering with fever (rigors)
  • Getting worse and I am still worried

You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.

Please ring your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111

If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to
either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your
child has not developed any red features

​​​​​​​If your child has none of the above:

  • Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
  • If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried pleasecontact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.

Self care

Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, call NHS 111 – dial 111

 

Survey for parents/carers - what was the outcome of you looking at this page?

This guidance is written by healthcare professionals from across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.