Instructions

• Instructions for new users

Call 911 Now If:

• Difficult to awaken or passed out
• Confused thinking or slurred speech
• Blurred or double vision
• Weakness or unsteady walking

Call Your Doctor Now If:

• Your child looks or acts very sick
• Stiff neck
• Severe headache with fever or vomiting

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If:

• You think your child needs to be seen
• Sore throat present > 24 hours
• Sinus pain or pressure of forehead

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Hours If:

• You have other questions or concerns
• Headache present > 24 hours
• Headaches are a recurrent problem

Home Care (Read "Call Your Doctor…" first):

Pain Medicine

Give acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol) or ibuprofen for pain relief. Headaches due to fever are also helped by fever reduction.

Food

Give fruit juice or food if your child is hungry or hasn't eaten in > 4 hours. (Reason: skipping a meal can cause a headache in many children).

Rest

Lie down in a quiet place and relax until feeling better.

Local Cold

Apply a cold washcloth or ice pack to the forehead for 20 minutes.

Stretching

Stretch and massage any tight neck muscles.

Migraine Headaches Diagnosed in the Past

If your child's doctor has prescribed a specific medication for migraine, give it as directed as soon as the migraine starts. If not, ibuprofen is the best OTC drug for migraine.

Give ibuprofen now and repeat in 6 hours if needed. Also, have your child lie down in a dark, quiet place and try to fall asleep. People with migraine often awaken from sleep with their migraine gone.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Headache lasts > 24 hours despite using a pain medicine
• Your child becomes worse or develops any of the "Call Your Doctor…" symptoms