excessive exposure to the sun, bright lights, heavy exercise, and certain foods, including lunch meats, MSG, and aged cheese.
Most childhood headaches can be treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. (Children under 16 shouldn’t take aspirin unless it’s recommended by a doctor.) Don’t let your child take more than a few pills a week. For extra relief, put a cold pack or cool compress on his or her head or gently massage your child’s shoulders and the back of their neck. Encourage them to lie down in a quiet, dark room until the pain goes away or gets better.
Should your child see a doctor?
If your child’s headaches are extreme and keep coming back, you should definitely schedule an appointment with their doctor. A doctor can help identify the type of headache and come up with a treatment plan, perhaps including prescription drugs.
Triptans are being successfully used with increasing frequency as rescue medications for young people with migraines. Several triptans are approved by the FDA for the treatment of acute migraine attacks in adolescents (ie, almotriptan [Axert], zolmitriptan [Zomig Nasal Spray], naproxen/sumatriptan [Treximet]) and in children (ie, rizatriptan [Maxalt]).
Parents should be aware, however, that taking migraine drugs containing triptans (like almotriptan, or Axert) are at risk of developing a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.
This syndrome can occur when the triptan drugs used for migraines are taken with antidepressants known as SSRIs or SNRIs (selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), causing an excess of serotonin to accumulate in the body.
People taking the drugs in combination can experience hallucinations, fast heartbeat, nausea and vomiting, seizures, and sudden changes in blood pressure, and it can be fatal if not treated.
Before making a final decision about whether to give your child a migraine prescription, consider weighing the pros and cons with your child’s doctor.