Chronic headache complaint from 5 yr old

[Anonymous]

My 5 year old daughter has been complaining of chronic headaches for a while. They seem to come at any time of day and she says the pain is between and behind her eyes. They aren't debilitating - she's still her usual self: playing, coloring, chatting, behavior same etc.; are not accompanied by any nausea/vomiting or imbalance issues. We've had her checked for sinusitis (an X-ray as well) and that came back negative, and her pediatrician ran a cursory neurologic diagnostic, noting nothing unusal. She is congested and our house is dry, even with humidifiers. Her eyesight is excellent. Our next stop will be an allergist and likely a neurologist...Has anyone else experienced something similar? Did you find a cause? Any other ideas? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I had terrible headaches growing up and into my adulthood -- until I learned to pinpoint and eliminate the causes. Now my DC has them, too. I get them from particular scented things. When I was a kid my headaches were caused by the lotion we used. Now they can be caused by particular shampoos, lotions, make up, cleaning products etc. I have to be careful when I try something new. Same with my DC. It could be something in your daily routine or in her school. Good luck. I hope you find it.

[Anonymous]

My migraines started somewhere around that age - I might have been a slight bit older. My only other idea is to check her eyesight - could she be straining??

[Anonymous]

I started getting migraines around that age. They were usually triggered by strong scents or certain foods (certain cheeses and peppermint).

[Anonymous]

Do they go away with a piece of candy Tylenol? Pain between and behind the eyes is pretty unusual.

[Anonymous]

Wanted to add library books, disinfectant wipes (smell is absorbed into clothing and hair), and running the dishwasher to my list of headache triggers for us you may want to look into, OP.

[Anonymous]

My migraines also started at that age but I would assume you'd see other symptoms and she wouldn't be her usual self with them. In my case, my family thought I kept getting the flu because I always vomited with them and had to be in bed in a dark room.

[Anonymous]

You may want to read, "Mommy, My Head Hurts," by Dr Sarah Cheyette, a pediatric neurologist - it explains causes/triggers of various headaches, how to get a good description out of your child as to the pain area, etc.

[Anonymous]

I used to get horrible headaches/migraines when I was a kid, and in college I got them 3-5 times a week. I used to get them all over my head, across my forehead behind my eyes, pounding or throbbing, sensitivity to light/sound the whole nine yards. They were terrible.

My trigger is strong scents (perfumes, lotions, etc). I also found out I had a wheat intolerance so once I cut out wheat that made my headaches totally disappear.

Seeing an allergist is definitely a good idea, make sure they rule out all the major food allergies as well as environmental ones.

[Anonymous]

You could try a chiropractor. They check allergies and other things too.

[Anonymous]

Do not do a chiropractor. There are specific warnings (from chiropractor orgs as well as other entities) about damage to children through chiro adjustment of the neck. Apparently it can cause stroke.

And really -- why would you do a chiropractor anyway? They aren't doctors. Go to a doctor and eliminate causes -- allergies, migraine, etc.

[Anonymous]

Is she getting enough water/liquids? Headaches are a sign of dehydration, which is a side effect of decongestants if you're using them.

Also, I had severe headaches as a child (and today) when there were low pressure systems in the air. Never figured out what causes it, but they are totally tied to the weather.