If your child sometimes has shaking hands during everyday activities or makes repetitive motions or sounds, it could be a sign of atremoror tic.
These are sometimes associated with serious medical conditions, but they’re often not. That’s especially true if your child is otherwise healthy, growing, and developing normally.
This article looks at what causes tremors and tics in children, when you should be concerned, and how they’re diagnosed and treated.
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Tremors in Children
Tremors are rhythmic shaking movements that most often happen in the hands, but can also occur in the arms, legs, head, vocal cords, and torso.Tremors can occur while a child is resting or active.
Researchers estimate that up to 5% of people have essential tremor. One study found they often start in kids as young as 8 years old.
Tics in Children
Tremors are different from tics. These are sudden, uncontrollable twitches, movements, or sounds that may be repetitive. Children commonly have tics.
Many parents worry a tic means their child has a serious condition like Tourette’s syndrome. But they’re much more likely common to have a simple transient (passing) tic disorder.
Children with a transient tic disorder may repeatedly:
In addition to these types of involuntary motor tics, other children may clear their throat or make specific sounds (vocal tics). These tics are often so subtle that other people don’t notice them.
As the name suggests, transient tics only last a short time. Typically, that’s about three months or less.
If tics last much longer than three months or become more complex, ask your healthcare provider aboutTourette’s syndrome.
Tics + OCD?If tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms start suddenly or get worse after astrep throat infection, tell your healthcare provider. It could be a sign of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated withStreptococcalinfections (PANDAS).
Tics + OCD?
If tics and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms start suddenly or get worse after astrep throat infection, tell your healthcare provider. It could be a sign of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated withStreptococcalinfections (PANDAS).
Causes of Tremors in Children
Occasionally teenagers can develop shaking hands too. If you notice this, your teenager’s healthcare provider should do a full physical examination and blood tests to check for:
Causes of Tics in Children
Transient tics can happen randomly and may be associated with:
The cause of more complex tics is not known but is thought to be a disorder associated with neurotransmitters in the brain and is frequently present in multiple family members, indicating a genetic component for them.
Diagnosis and Treatment
A new or worsening tremor or tic are reasons to take your child to a healthcare provider. A physical examination that includes a neurological exam can help figure out what’s behind the unusual movements.
Some children with persistent tremors and tics see a pediatric neurologist. However, most children with transient tics and essential or familial tremors don’t need any kind of treatment.
A Word From VerywellPattern recognition is key in most medical conditions, so if a tremor is new, worsening over time, or associated with additional symptoms, it’s best to talk it over with your healthcare provider. Rest assured, most tremors and tics in children won’t require any long-term treatment.—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Pattern recognition is key in most medical conditions, so if a tremor is new, worsening over time, or associated with additional symptoms, it’s best to talk it over with your healthcare provider. Rest assured, most tremors and tics in children won’t require any long-term treatment.—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Pattern recognition is key in most medical conditions, so if a tremor is new, worsening over time, or associated with additional symptoms, it’s best to talk it over with your healthcare provider. Rest assured, most tremors and tics in children won’t require any long-term treatment.
—NICHOLAS R. METRUS, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Treatment for Tremors
Physical therapy and learning new ways to perform tasks can help reduce tremors in children. Sometimes foods aggravate tremors, so you may need to watch for patterns and then avoid any triggers you discover. Relaxation therapy to reduce stress can also help. If necessary, certain medications can reduce symptoms. These include anticonvulsants andbeta-blockers(drugs for high blood pressure).
Treatment for Tics
Tics can be treated with self-help tips, such as limiting situations that cause stress, anxiety, boredom, and fatigue. Several types of psychotherapy might also be recommended, such as:
Medications may also be used to reduce tics and treat associated medical conditions.These medications can have side effects, so it’s important to discuss the pros and cons with your child’s health care provider.
Summary
Tremors and tics in children are usually not associated with serious medical conditions. Essential tremor and familial tremor are both possible and don’t involve illness or other symptoms.
Tics raise concerns about Tourette’s syndrome. But it’s more likely your child has a transient tic disorder that’ll go away in three months or less.
Most kids with tremors and tics don’t need treatment. For those who do, beta-blockers may be prescribed for tremors and self-help tips, therapy, or medications can help reduce tics.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Essential tremor.Elble RJ.What is essential tremor?.Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2013;13(6):353. doi:10.1007/s11910-013-0353-4Swain JE, Scahill L, Lombroso PJ, King RA, Leckman JF.Tourette syndrome and tic disorders: a decade of progress.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46(8):947-968. doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e318068fbccKnight T, Steeves T, Day L, Lowerison M, Jette N, Pringsheim T.Prevalence of tic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Pediatr Neurol. 2012;47(2):77-90. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.05.002National Institute of Mental Health.PANDAS—questions and answers.Harvard Medical School.Essential tremor.Liu H, Pringsheim T, Thompson GC.Two children with tremor. CMAJ. 2015 Apr 21;187(7):512-517. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.120496National Health Service UK.Overview: Tics.Texas Children’s Hospital.Tics and kids: When should I seek care?Pal PK.Guidelines for management of essential tremor.Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2011;14(5):25. doi:10.4103%2F0972-2327.83097
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Essential tremor.Elble RJ.What is essential tremor?.Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2013;13(6):353. doi:10.1007/s11910-013-0353-4Swain JE, Scahill L, Lombroso PJ, King RA, Leckman JF.Tourette syndrome and tic disorders: a decade of progress.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46(8):947-968. doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e318068fbccKnight T, Steeves T, Day L, Lowerison M, Jette N, Pringsheim T.Prevalence of tic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Pediatr Neurol. 2012;47(2):77-90. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.05.002National Institute of Mental Health.PANDAS—questions and answers.Harvard Medical School.Essential tremor.Liu H, Pringsheim T, Thompson GC.Two children with tremor. CMAJ. 2015 Apr 21;187(7):512-517. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.120496National Health Service UK.Overview: Tics.Texas Children’s Hospital.Tics and kids: When should I seek care?Pal PK.Guidelines for management of essential tremor.Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2011;14(5):25. doi:10.4103%2F0972-2327.83097
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Essential tremor.Elble RJ.What is essential tremor?.Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2013;13(6):353. doi:10.1007/s11910-013-0353-4Swain JE, Scahill L, Lombroso PJ, King RA, Leckman JF.Tourette syndrome and tic disorders: a decade of progress.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46(8):947-968. doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e318068fbccKnight T, Steeves T, Day L, Lowerison M, Jette N, Pringsheim T.Prevalence of tic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Pediatr Neurol. 2012;47(2):77-90. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.05.002National Institute of Mental Health.PANDAS—questions and answers.Harvard Medical School.Essential tremor.Liu H, Pringsheim T, Thompson GC.Two children with tremor. CMAJ. 2015 Apr 21;187(7):512-517. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.120496National Health Service UK.Overview: Tics.Texas Children’s Hospital.Tics and kids: When should I seek care?Pal PK.Guidelines for management of essential tremor.Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2011;14(5):25. doi:10.4103%2F0972-2327.83097
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Tremor.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Essential tremor.
Elble RJ.What is essential tremor?.Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2013;13(6):353. doi:10.1007/s11910-013-0353-4
Swain JE, Scahill L, Lombroso PJ, King RA, Leckman JF.Tourette syndrome and tic disorders: a decade of progress.J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46(8):947-968. doi:10.1097/chi.0b013e318068fbcc
Knight T, Steeves T, Day L, Lowerison M, Jette N, Pringsheim T.Prevalence of tic disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Pediatr Neurol. 2012;47(2):77-90. doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2012.05.002
National Institute of Mental Health.PANDAS—questions and answers.
Harvard Medical School.Essential tremor.
Liu H, Pringsheim T, Thompson GC.Two children with tremor. CMAJ. 2015 Apr 21;187(7):512-517. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.120496
National Health Service UK.Overview: Tics.
Texas Children’s Hospital.Tics and kids: When should I seek care?
Pal PK.Guidelines for management of essential tremor.Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. 2011;14(5):25. doi:10.4103%2F0972-2327.83097
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