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About tummy pain
Tummy pain in children is common. Most children do not need specific treatment and the pain gets better by itself.
Causes
Common causes include constipation, a bladder infection (urinary tract infection) and tummy bugs (gastroenteritis).
Occasionally tummy pain is caused by something more serious, such as appendicitis.
In many children with longstanding tummy pain, a cause is never found, and the pain goes away by itself.
Caring for your child at home
You can look after your child at home if they:
- are alert and interacting with you
- develop diarrhoea and vomiting but have no signs of dehydration
- experience period (menstrual) pains
- are frequently constipated.
What you can do
- Give paracetamol (for example Calpol) or ibuprofen (for example Nurofen). Always read the instructions on the medication packaging and give the correct dose for your child’s age group.
- Keep your child well hydrated. Encourage them to drink lots of fluids.
- Avoid fizzy drinks and fruit juices.
- Offer your child bland foods. For example a piece of banana or plain toast.
- Let them lie down and relax.
- Encourage them to go to the toilet to do a poo or pass some wind.
When to seek help
Call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department (A&E) if you notice that your child:
- has a temperature which is not responding to paracetamol/ibuprofen. Always read the instructions on the medication packaging and give the correct dose for your child’s age group.
- becomes pale and floppy
- develops cold hands and feet
- becomes drowsy or difficult to wake
- has green or blood-stained sick (vomit)
- develops severe pain despite pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. This is especially relevant if the pain is on the right-hand side of the lower tummy
- has pain in the testicles (especially in teenage boys).
Make a GP appointment or call 111 if your child:
- is under 3 months of age and has a temperature above 38 degrees C, or feels hot to touch
- is 3 to 6 months of age and has a temperature above 39 degrees C, or feels hot to touch
- has other signs of illness, such as a rash, and a high temperature
- has a high temperature that has lasted for more than 5 days
- develops a swollen tummy
- has blood in their poo or wee
- experiences constant pain for more than one day, despite taking pain killers
- becomes more and more thirsty or is weeing noticeably more or less than normal
- develops yellow skin or eyes
- has weight loss or poor growth over a few months
- is causing you concern.
If your child keeps having tummy pain
- Ask your GP to assess your child if they have tummy pain more than once a week over a period of months. Sometimes children may need a urine or blood test to help rule out certain conditions.
- Tummy scans (ultrasound) are not often used as they do not usually tell doctors what is causing tummy pain. In some cases your GP may refer your child to a Paediatric Clinic for further assessment. Your GP will discuss this with you.
More information
Contact information
Your GP or local pharmacy
or
Paediatrics Admin Team, Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm