Headaches

• your headache keeps coming back


• painkillers do not help and your headache gets worse


• you have a bad throbbing pain at the front or side of your head – it could be a migraine or, more rarely, a cluster headache


• you feel sick, vomit and find light or noise painful

You or your child has a severe headache and:

• jaw pain when eating


• blurred or double vision


• a sore scalp


• other symptoms, such as numbness or weakness in the arms or legs

Also get an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if your child is under 12 and has any 1 of the following:

• a headache that wakes them at night


• a headache when they wake up in the morning


• a headache that gets progressively worse


• a headache triggered or made worse by coughing, sneezing or bending down


• a headache with vomiting


• a headache with a squint (where the eyes point in different directions) or an inability to look upward

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

• has a head injury – for example, from a fall or accident


• has a headache that came on suddenly and is extremely painful

You or your child has an extremely painful headache and:

• sudden problems speaking or remembering things


• loss of vision


• feel drowsy or confused


• has a very high temperature and symptoms of meningitis


• the white part of the eye is red

Also call 999 or go to A&E if your child is under 12 and has any 1 of the following:

• a headache with vision problems or difficulty speaking, swallowing, balancing or walking


• a headache with drowsiness or a persistent lack of energy


• a headache that starts within 5 days of a head injury