Headaches in 7 Year Old

Updated on December 31, 2012
R.D. asks from Port Jefferson, NY
12 answers

Hi,

My seven year old has been sick with the cough/cold virus going around, for almost two weeks. He is almost symptom free at this point. Day one of getting sick, he complained of a headache. He has never mentioned having a headache before. This concerns me! Then the last few days he's mentioned a headache in his forehead and around his eyes. I am trying to pinpoint what type of discomfort, but he's not giving me much. He will complain and then in a minute or two say it's gone as he's fine. He mentioned his eyes hurt a little when looking at a bright light or the sun. He has been playing video games like crazy since he has been off of school, but I am not sure that is related or that I'm looking for an easy answer.
I will mention to his ped, as he has a physical next week, yet was wondering if anyone has experienced this? They seem to be quick headaches, but strange he's never mentioned before.

Thank you!

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S.H.

answers from Des Moines on

Sounds like his sinuses are plugged up. Try warm humid showers.....saline spray in the nose...rest....Tylenol ...and time. If he gets a fever then time for a dr....may need meds.

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Could be a sinus infection.

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C.M.

answers from Chicago on

Sounds like sinus pressure. It can come and go, especially if he bends over. An OTC cold medicine can ease the pain, as well as acupressure or hot compresses.

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M.S.

answers from Seattle on

You've got a lot of good responses so far, so I won't repeat anything. However, I wonder if your son is perhaps having migraines. When I have migraines I have pain behind my eyes and my eyes hurt when I look at bright light. The headaches could also be cluster headaches where there are several headaches in a short period of time.

I could be off base, but it's worth mentioning to the doctor.

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H.L.

answers from Portland on

His sinuses might be causing pressure and a headache. We have that cold right now in our house. I never experience sinus pressure and did for the first time with this cold. It feels like a headache between your eyes pretty much. It went away quickly.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Do ask the doctor. The location, combined with the fact he had a cold, means it could be sinuses (he may seem "symptom free" to you but there probably is congestion still in his head-- have the dr. check). Also check his vision; has he ever had an eye exam? Not the silly ones at school -- a real one with an optometrist? Have his eyes checked.

And do ensure he is drinking a LOT of water. Headaches are a basic symptom of slight dehydration. I saw a study recently that most kids in the US are slightly dehydrated all the time -- none drinks enough water. My child used to get headaches like clockwork every time she was finishing the school day, coming home from dance class, or otherwise had exerted herself, even if she drank during the exertion.

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S.B.

answers from San Diego on

My 13 year old son was sick for about 3 months last year, on and off, and I took him to the Dr. a couple of times but couldn't figure out what was wrong so they diagnosed him with migraines. I took him again and saw the lead Dr. and he thought it was a sinus infection and gave us some meds to get rid of it. He ended up taking 2 rounds of antibiotics but did finally get better and knock wood, has been healthy ever since. Please take him to the Dr. to rule out his eyes and such, and look into it being a sinus infection.

Feel better soon!!

1 mom found this helpful
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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Give him some liquid Sudafed. I get mine at a real pharmacy, like the ones that a family owns. Walgreens and Walmart get what they are sent and cannot order anything out of the ordinary so they think it has been discontinued.

I pay about $4 for each 4 oz bottle. I give everyone who uses it 1/2 dose. If that works they don't need a full dose. If it doesn't I give them 3/4 of a dose. Sudafed is the original medication that they took off the shelves and keep behind them now.

I get Rugby brand and it is Sudafed Hci. Here's a link to the Sudafed website.

http://www.sudafed.com/products/adult/sinus-congestion/su...

The children's Sudafed PE is like taking speed to the kids. It winds them up and makes them bounce off the walls. It makes my heart flutter and my BP goes up horribly high.

So I do NOT use Sudafed PE for any reason. I use only the Sudafed Hci. It is the original old fashioned Sudafed. You can get the Sudafed PE at Walmart in the children's stuff but it might make them act crazy.

If you go to a real pharmacy they can order the original Sudafed Hci from their warehouse or supplies. Just remember it is Rugby brand.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.V.

answers from Tampa on

You got a lot of answers. Could be sinus pressure from the cold - we've had it for going on a week now. My husband had such pressure that his whole side of his face and jaw hurt. A visit to the Dr. and an Rx has helped.
SInce your son is 7 - I would ask the Dr. to check his eyes. Could be eye strain.
We experienced the same thing this summer with my 7 year old. He would get so into any computer game he was playing, even a math game, that he would experience headaches. Also, he was prone to not having enough liquids and would get headaches from dehydration. Not like I was depriving him - his metabolism is high, he burns calories quickly and I think the liquids must do the same.
Anyway, we went to the Dr. She did a Neuro exam that was negative. Told me to watch for headaches that wake him up & keep track of the frequency. She also said NOT to give him Tylenol for headache relief all the time as NOT having it can cause a headache.
We have to PUSH liquids & he takes a water bottle to school. On the days it comes back pretty full he usually has a headache.
I hope your situation has an easy solution!

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M.H.

answers from Chicago on

Sounds like sinus pressure to me. My teeth hurt, eyes and headaches. Warm Compress on affected area should help. I would get him to the doc. So it does not get worse. My worst Sinus infection, I was on a few different drugs including pain relievers I hurt so bad.

Warm Compress, steam.. should help.

Good Luck!

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L.M.

answers from Dover on

Could be eye strain (you said he's playing lots of video games). It could also be a sinus headache (especially if it is at the center of his forehead). My daughter and I both get those (thanks to our allergies, we get them more often than most).

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M.K.

answers from Columbus on

Sounds to me like he might need glasses. But yes, definitely mention it to his doctor to rule out anything serious.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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