Continuous headache in 6 year old

[Imalldonethanks]

Hi, my son has been complaining about headaches for a few months.

He usually mentions it when I drop him off at school (he calls it a toothpaste headache at this stage, saying he can feel it a bit in his teeth as well as his forehead). But then he also complains at other times of the day - especially at night time.

I thought it was anxiety as he doesn't enjoy school currently, but he's continued to say he feels them throughout the holiday.

They are never bad enough for him not to do something but I feel it's been going on long enough to make me wonder if I should investigate further.

Any advice?

Has he had his eyes tested?

Definitely take him to the GP.

I had something similar with DS. He kept complaining his brain was “hot” (no temperature and he’d specify brain not head). I took him to the GP and she said they wouldn’t be concerned unless he was also having trouble with motor skills or losing balance/regressing in other ways/vomiting/being in so much discomfort that he couldn’t just get on with his day. She said some children have more headaches than others, and it’s often inherited - DH and I both get headaches quite a lot, and I did as a child too. With DS, usually a spoonful of calpol works. So do try not to worry. Still best to check with the GO though.

Also, yes, agree with PP about getting his eyes tested. I took DS to get his tested before bothering the GP - it was one of the first things she asked. His eyesight is perfect, so it wasn’t that.

I think if my child had been complaining of a headache, and I’d made sure they were drinking enough, I’d have taken them to the gp after a couple of days.
Even if it is school anxiety you need to address it. Does the pain just come back after you’ve given him pain relief?

Def GP. If it's in the teeth as well, might be sinus related?

An eye exam will not just rule out the need for glasses it will also check for raised intracranial pressure - although extremely unlikely to be this a quick look at the back of his eyes can be really reassuring!

Yes to all of the above.
But being a 'tooth' headache, I'd also push to have him referred to ENT.
He could have a blockage in his sinuses. These blockages can go on for ages.

Thanks everyone.
He had his eyes tested about 2 months ago and they were fine.
He's also been to the dentist recently and there were no issues...

Good point about keeping him hydrated - I'll keep an eye on that.

I will take him to the gp and see what they say.

I really thought it was all school related and that when we were away he would feel better.

Thinking about it - he's still a bit of a mouth breather, despite having been checked when he was 3 and they said he just had large tonsils that he would grow into / out of (can't remember which way round it is!).

Thanks everyone. I always err on the side of 'don't make a fuss, it will pass' but I feel like a gp appointment is justified.

Headsmart Campaign

I would go to the GP and also check out this symptom checker. Brain tumours are rare, but they do happen.

I'd also think about maybe taking him to see an osteopath. My dd was 9 and getting recurrent headaches when the osteopath saw her and found that her head and neck were out of alignment. Common with back to back deliveries apparently, which she was.

Or it could be his sinuses.

Another thing - what’s his pillow like? Could it be linked to sleeping funny? I get headaches if I use the wrong pillow. And do you have pets? I’m wondering about allergies....

My teeth hurt when I have sinus issues.

DS had bad headaches as a child, took an MRI to diagnose sinus issues. They were looking for a brain tumour I think, because he also had febrile convulsions over the age of 5

Apparently sinusitis is difficult to diagnose as a child. GP said it couldnt be sinuses because no nasal discharge, but MRI showed it in right side, still took two lots of antibiotics to shift it.

It was the maxillary sinus that was affected

He could be grinding his teeth in his sleep due to stress if he's been having some school issues, that would indicate a tension headache.

Quick update - had him checked over by paediatrician and he has a clean bill of health. Most likely cause is anxiety / frustration at school (he really doesn't enjoy it)... so roll on summer holidays!!
Thanks to everyone who gave me ideas - Pleased I had him checked out.