RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
ChildrenMigraine
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Arrange GP review if migraine attacks are worsening, difficult to control, happen more than once a week, or affect daily life.
- Get urgent advice if an attack lasts longer than 72 hours, or aura symptoms such as flashing lights last longer than 1 hour.
- Get urgent advice for a migraine during pregnancy or soon after giving birth, or symptoms that are new or different from the usual attacks.
- A child with worsening headaches, morning vomiting or headaches waking them from sleep needs urgent assessment rather than assuming it is migraine.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- Contact your GP when the surgery is open. If it is closed, you cannot get the help you need, or you are unsure what to do, call NHS 111. You can call even if you are not sure whether the symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- A sudden, extremely severe headache or a headache very different from usual.
- New weakness, facial drooping, speech difficulty, loss of sight or double vision.
- A seizure, confusion, collapse or difficulty waking.
- A severe headache with a stiff neck, discomfort in bright light, or a rash that does not fade when pressed with a clear glass. Do not wait for a rash to appear.
- A severe or worsening headache after a head injury.
- Severe difficulty breathing, pauses in breathing, grunting, or the skin pulling in deeply under or between the ribs.
- Being very difficult to wake or unresponsive.
- Being unusually floppy, confused or not responding as usual.
- Blue, grey, very pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Migrainehttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/
- NHS - Fever in childrenhttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/