For the past few days my 3 year old little girl has been saying she has a headache. She has only said it once without being asked, and didn't mention it again. But a few times in the last few days I have looked at her and thought she looked like she was getting sick. When I ask her if she feels bad she says she has a headache. She doesn't act like she feels bad and her behavior is normal. We have spent some time with my 7 year old nephew lately and he said when we were with him that he had a headache, so I don't know if it is just something she picked up from hearing him. She just told me her head hurt when I asked her a few minutes ago and now she is running around the living room playing. I am telling myself not to worry, but she's 3 and I'm a Mommy so I am worrying. Any advice would be great!! Thanks!!
My friend's daughter recently had a headache that became worse over a couple of days. They took her to the ER and after a lot of questions, it was determined that she had a "constipation headache" which was solved by a gentle laxative. Just something to keep in mind!
I have a 3 year old too and she love to do or say anything her older brother does! Next time you ask her I'd suggest asking her first "does your hand hurt?" "Does your leg hurt?" "Does your head hurt" etc and see what kind of responses you get. Though she may actually have a headache it is less common in children that age. However, if she suffers from allergies etc you may try some allergy meds and see if that seems to help her at all. Otherwise, it can't hurt to have it checked out if she is persistent about it hurting! Good luck.
You have received some good suggestions.
I have one more to add to your list.
Two years ago, my daughter (5) started complaining of headaches. She would play normal but then especially at bedtime or in the middle of the night, she would wake up crying and say she had a headache.
I took her to the doctor so many times to no avail.
Coincidentally, she was up for a dental apptmt.
It turned out she had cavities that went to the root and needed to be drilled and crowned.
The headaches went away.
My point is that it could be a dental issue, not just medical.
Look beyond the box.
Good Luck!
As you can see, there are many reasons for a headache! Allergies are always a possiblility as well if the headache seems to coordinate with weather change, certain foods, after you clean the house, windows, tabletop, or as someone mentioned.....the heat trying out your house. You could try a humidifier for that. If it doesn't resolve quickly visiting the pediatrician is a good idea. The mom that had a child with strept throat.......some kids don't even a sore throat. Maybe just a headache and/or stomach ache.
Be sure your 3 year old knows what "headache" means. Try to get her to be more descriptive. She could be talking about her throat!
My son was telling me about two weeks ago that his head hurt and then that his feet and hands were hurting. He ended up having strep throat.
If it continues after you've questioned her about anything else hurting and/or it continues after a couple of days, I would have her checked out. If she has allergies or has been even a little stopped up - especially if she has any colored drainage. She might have a sinus infection or the beginning of one. My kids tend to get those and don't always have a fever. Also sometimes the only symptom is a headache.
There are viruses that their only symptom is a headache. Today should be the last day for it. Tomorrow I would call the doctor if it continues.
I have triplets and two of the three had headaches before coming down with H1N1. But if she's been complaining for a few days, that's probably not the problem. Could she be having sinus headaches? Even if she doesn't have the symptoms of a cold or allergy, her sinus' could be inflamed due to running a furnace or air conditioner.
good luck!
Does she happen to complain of her head hurting while in the car or shortly thereafter? My 4 year old recently started to complain that his head hurted while in the car. Now I know he suffers from motion sickness. A simple solution seems to be opening the window. So keep track of when your daughter complains about headaches.
she is not too little for migranes either. I was physically sick from a headache at 7, but I remember several times before then going to bed because of a headache. I have suffered from migranes my entire life. My now 8 year old has also had headaches from time to time. Tylenol or Ibuprofen will help. Try and find where here head hurts, front, side, back, all over, by the neck, around her eyes or nose. These are questions the dr will ask.
