What medications can treat headaches in children?

Sep 12, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
In general, the main causes of headaches in children include lack of sleep, excessive eye strain, tension-type headaches, sinusitis, and migraines. Medications such as acetaminophen suspension drops, ibuprofen suspension, and naproxen sodium tablets may be used according to medical advice. In daily life, it is important to ensure children get sufficient sleep and to reasonably control their eye-use time.

Generally, the main causes of headaches in children include lack of sleep, excessive eye strain, tension-type headaches, sinusitis, and migraines. Medications such as acetaminophen suspension drops, ibuprofen suspension, and naproxen sodium tablets can be used according to medical advice. A detailed explanation is as follows:

1. Lack of Sleep

Long-term late sleeping and poor sleep quality in children can prevent the brain from getting sufficient rest, keeping cerebral blood vessels in a continuous state of tension, which can trigger headaches. It is important to maintain a regular routine, ensure 9-10 hours of sleep daily, avoid using electronic devices before bedtime, and create a quiet sleeping environment to alleviate headaches.

2. Eye Strain

Extended periods of watching television, playing with toys, or reading can cause eye fatigue in children, leading to tension in the muscles around the eyes and stimulating nerves, which results in headaches. It is important to control eye usage time, take a 5-minute break every 30 minutes, look into the distance to relax the eyes, and, under medical guidance, use sodium hyaluronate eye drops to relieve eye fatigue and improve headaches.

3. Tension-Type Headache

High academic pressure and anxiety in children can cause continuous contraction of head muscles, resulting in a tight, band-like head pain. Daily stress relief can be achieved through games and outdoor activities, maintaining a cheerful mood, and, when pain is evident, taking acetaminophen suspension drops, ibuprofen suspension, or vitamin B1 tablets under medical guidance to alleviate pain and regulate nerves.

4. Sinusitis

Children have underdeveloped sinuses, making them prone to bacterial infections and inflammation. Pus accumulation in the sinuses can compress surrounding tissues, causing headaches, often accompanied by nasal congestion and runny nose. Under medical guidance, amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium dry suspension, mometasone furoate nasal spray, and Tongqiao Biyan granules can be taken to control infection and reduce inflammation. In severe cases, sinus puncture and irrigation may be required to drain the pus.

5. Migraine

Abnormal vascular dilation and constriction functions in children's brains can cause one-sided pulsating headaches, often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light. It is important to avoid consuming trigger foods such as chocolate and cheese, maintain a regular routine, and, during headache episodes, take ibuprofen suspension, acetaminophen oral solution, or naproxen sodium tablets under medical guidance to alleviate pain. For frequent episodes, preventive treatment should be conducted under medical guidance.

In daily life, it is important to ensure adequate sleep for children, reasonably control eye usage time, pay attention to children's emotions, reduce academic pressure, keep warm to prevent respiratory infections, schedule regular checkups to detect and treat underlying diseases promptly, and maintain children's overall health.

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