Aches and pains in children: Symptoms, causes and relief

You should also seek medical advice if you are worried about your child’s pain or you don’t know the most appropriate way to help relieve their pain.

Types of aches and pains

• Growing pains
• Bumps and bruises
• Teething pains

Causes of aches and pains

Here is some information about a few common types of aches and pains in children. The bad news? They can make your child uncomfortable.^1,2 The good news? There is suitable relief for these pains.^1-3

Growing pains

Growing pains are common in children, but usually stop by the time they are around 12 years of age.¹ They typically occur in the leg muscles in the evening or at night-time and can come and go over months or years.¹ If your child is active or plays a lot of sport, they’re more likely to get growing pains.¹ Although it’s not known growing pains happen, it’s not actually due to growing.¹

Bumps and bruises

Children often injure themselves while playing, like falling over.² If you see swelling or discolouration it might be a bump or a bruise.^2,4 Contact your doctor if you are worried about your child’s injury, especially if they have had a bump to the head.⁴

Teething pains

As your child’s teeth start to come through, you might find they cry more than normal.³ Some other things to watch for to help you identify whether they are teething include:³

• Dribbling more than usual
• Chewing more on their fingers and toys
• Having flushed, red cheeks
• Their gums may look sore and tender
• They might also have nappy rash.

How to relieve aches and pains

• Having a warm bath before bedtime
• A gentle leg massage
• Applying heat to the affected area, such as a covered hot water bottle or heat patch
• Medicines, like ibuprofen or paracetamol, to ease their pain
• Plenty of cuddles and reassurance.

Bumps and bruises

Most bumps can be managed with cuddles and kisses to make your child feel better.⁴ Other things that can help include:⁴

Applying a cold flannel the affected area, or an ice pack wrapped in cloth (don’t apply direct to the skin), for a few minutes to help soothe and cool the skin

If necessary, you can use an appropriate pain reliever containing ibuprofen, such as Nurofen for Children.

Teething pain

Although teething pain can be a painful part of childhood development, there are different ways to help try and relieve any discomfort. Some things you can do to take your child’s mind off their teething pain include:³

• Playing and comforting them
• Giving them a cool teething ring to chew on
• Massage their sore gums with a sugar-free teething gel
• Give them cold water to soothe the gums and healthy snacks (like pieces of apple) to chew on
• If necessary, you can use an appropriate pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, the active ingredient in Nurofen for Children.

BABIES

Nurofen for Children 100mg/5ml Oral Suspension 100ml/150ml/200ml

• Suitable for children from 3 months and weighing over 5 kg
• Available in strawberry and orange flavours
• 150ml contains a syringe for use in children who won’t or can’t use a spoon, particularly young babies

Nurofen for Children 100mg/5ml Oral Suspension 16 x 5ml Sachets

• Suitable for children from 3 months and weighing over 5 kg
• Orange flavour

Nurofen for Children Suppositories 10 x 60mg

• Suitable for children from 3 months and weighing over 6 kg
• Good for children who might be struggling with taking oral formulations because of vomiting, regurgitation or sore throat

TODDLERS

Nurofen for Children 100mg/5ml Oral Suspension 100ml/150ml/200ml

• Suitable for children from 3 months and weighing over 5 kg
• Available in strawberry and orange flavours
• Measuring spoon included in 100ml and 200ml for accurate dosing

Nurofen for Children 6+ 200mg/5ml Oral Suspension

• Suitable for children from 6 years and weighing over 20 kg
• Same effective relief in half volume dose*
• Available in strawberry and orange flavours

*Compared to Nurofen for Children 100mg/5ml Oral Suspension

Nurofen for Children 7+ Chewable Capsules 12 x 100mg Capsules

• Orange flavour
• Easy to chew – no need for water
• Useful for on-the-go

This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your healthcare professional.

References:

1. NHS. Growing pains. Last reviewed April 2019. Accessed May 2021. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/growing-pains/
2. NICE. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. Bruising. Last revised March 2021. Accessed May 2021. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/bruising/
3. Health Services Executive. Baby teething and gums. Last reviewed September 2018. Accessed May 2021. https://www2.hse.ie/wellbeing/child-health/baby-teething-and-gums.html
4. Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group. Bumps and bruises. Part of growing up. Accessed May 2021. https://www.hounslowccg.nhs.uk/media/88767/children-bumps-bruises-hounslow.pdf
5. Pelen F, et al. Ann Pediatr (Paris). 1998;45:719–728.