When to worry about a 4year olds headache

[Gabby10]

Need some advice please. My DD is 4 and has been saying since Thursday she has a headache. No other symptoms but both me and her dad have been poorly with chest infections. She went to school Friday and was sent home after an hour as she was sick. Her dad picked her up and went back to his and she slept 3 hours. He said she then got up and was fine but again complained of the headache after a couple of hours.

I’ve picked her up from dads today and asked if she was running around etc when she was sick and she said no she was just sat at the table but her head started her a lot and then she was sick. I’ve taken her to the pharmacy who didn’t seem to worried but said to just ‘keep an eye on it’.

When should I be worried?? She’s had some calpol and asked for a cool patch (the cool patch could be just that she loves them). I don’t want to seem like I’m over-reacting but also don’t want to leave her if I should be doing something! Chi

It doesn’t sound like anything to worry about, she’s just a bit unwell

I'd get her looked at. Could she have had a bump to the head.

Watch her today…. Don’t make a fuss about it, just watch. Ask if she wants to watch TV, see a friend etc. how I know my kids were genuinely ill was how they responded to such questions! If it’s no headache or a light headache the answer will be Yes!

Don’t ask her whether she was running around etc - ask her dad

Hmm, headache and sickness - could be migraine. Is there any history of it in the family?

https://migrainetrust.org/migraine-in-children-and-young-people/young-person-0-11/

I would get her checked by a GP given the headache hasn't resolved.

Has she had a temperature?

I get aura migraines but never really a bad bad headache with it. She seems warm but I wouldn’t say a high temp.

I think I’m going to call the out of hours and just see what they suggest. It’s the headache part that’s throwing me off. She’s saying it’s at the front of head and can point to exactly where it hurts.

she’s back asleep which isn’t like her at all she’s a right sleep fighter!

Called the out of hours and they’ve said she needs seeing within 2 hours so have an appointment for her. Thanks all for the advice, fingers crossed I’ve just been overreacting but thank you for the back up of making me feel like I’m maybe not! X

I hope she’s ok OP!

You've done the right thing, OP, and I hope your DD is feeling better soon.

Doctor checked her over, made sure no rashes, checked ears, throat, chest etc and also checked her eyes. Has luckily said he thinks if anything it’s viral as nothing he can find. Also said might be worth getting iron levels checked as this could be causing headaches and she is a terrible eater so will call my own GP Monday. Thanks all! X

And what’s your daughter like? Up and about? Wanting to go to park? Watch TV? Play?