Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Can kids have ice pick headaches?

Hi, My 4 yr old daughter started having headaches about 10 months ago very infrequently (maybe 1 or 2/ month) they only last 30 seconds - 90 seconds long but they are very painful for her.  She grabs her head and screams and this comes at happy times - she doesn't have tantrums.  Some of the times she's had this headache was during trick-or-treating and on the way to SeaWorld in Orlando.  They are out of the blue and seem to always be behind her left ear.   She says it feels like hot marbles are in her head. sometimes one and sometimes "hundreds" and everything in between.   She does have some food allergies and controlled asthma.   She did fall down the stairs around the time of the first headache - I called 911 and an ambulance came and EMTs checked her out and said she was fine.  Could it be related to that fall?  Could it be a tumor?   Could it be an ice pick headache?    Please help.   Thanks, Gabrielle
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
A MRI uses only magnetism and no x-rays. It also produces better images than a ct scan. So i would suggest a MRI. The risks associated with a MRI are very small and shouldn't be a cause to worry.

I don't want to go against your doc. But since it is such a serious pain and he is so young I would feel more comfortable with a brain mri being done. But maybe your doc is skilled enough to rule out intracranial diseases anyway.

Does he get pain when jumping or shaking his head too?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
What did you ever find out regarding your daughter's headaches?  My son is 4 and he just started having episodes exactly,  I mean almost identical to what you described.  The only difference is it's the right side of his head above the ear towards the back. I've taken him to the doctor several times and she's declined to do any type of radiology type testing.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
hi! it is almost the same that is happening to my 3 years old! any updates please!
Same here! Please update me! Pediatrician says it is normal for the 10th time!
Avatar universal
Thanks!  I'll talk to her Pediatrician.   :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

These symptoms of feeling hot marbles on the head lasting for brief duration can be a symptom of pediatric migraine. The other possibility which comes to mind is cluster headaches which are extremely painful, occur on one side of the head, are sharp in nature and last for brief duration of time.
These possibilities have to be evaluated clinically by her pediatrician in order to make a definitive diagnosis. Hope this helps!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for your reply.  Does the feeling of "hot marbles" mean anything to you? Or the extremely short duration of the head pain? - Thanks, Gabrielle
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

Ice pick headaches are seen in patients with long history of chronic headache. They are very rarely seen in young children. The chances are more if your child has a pre-existing history of chronic headaches.
The chances of brain tumor are less because patients with brain tumors develop other neurological symptoms also apart from headaches like numbness, vision changes etc.
It is important however to get a neurological evaluation done to make the correct diagnosis. The chances of these headaches being related to allergies is also a possibility. Let us know if you have more questions.


Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Migraines and Headaches Community

Top Neurology Answerers
620923 tn?1452915648
Allentown, PA
1780921 tn?1499301793
Queen Creek, AZ
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Avatar universal
Trinity , TX
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease