Stop any bleeding by firmly pressing a clean cloth on the wound. If the injury is serious, be careful not to move the person's head. If blood soaks through the cloth, do not remove it. Place another cloth over the first one.
If you suspect a skull fracture, do not apply direct pressure to the bleeding site, and do not remove any debris from the wound.
Cover the wound with sterile gauze dressing. If the person is vomiting, to prevent choking, roll the person's head, neck, and body as one unit onto their side. This still protects the spine, which you must always assume is injured in the case of a head injury. Children often vomit once after a head injury. This may not be a problem, but call a doctor for further guidance.
Apply ice packs to swollen areas cover ice in a towel so it does not directly touch the skin. DO NOT remove any object sticking out of a wound. DO NOT move the person unless absolutely necessary. DO NOT shake the person if they seem dazed. DO NOT remove a helmet if you suspect a serious head injury. DO NOT pick up a fallen child with any sign of head injury. DO NOT drink alcohol within 48 hours of a serious head injury.
A serious head injury that involves bleeding or brain damage must be treated in a hospital. Children will need to be watched and make activity changes.
Adults also need close observation and activity changes. When to Contact a Medical Professional. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. A mild head injury, also known as concussion, means that the brain has had a slight jolt and will need time to recover. Not all bumps to the head result in concussion. Read more on Queensland Health website. Any person who has suffered loss of consciousness or an altered state of consciousness after a blow to the head should not return to their activity eg sport and should see a medical practitioner urgently.
Read more on St John Ambulance Australia website. Read more on Brain Foundation website. Read more on Better Health Channel website. What is concussion? A concussion is an injury to the brain caused by sudden strong movement of the brain against the skull. Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website. A concussion is a mild head injury. He can start returning to normal activities hours later. Read more on raisingchildren. A head injury or head trauma happens when the brain is swollen, torn, stretched, shaken, compressed, bruised or pierced.
Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that results in sudden onset of neurological symptoms that resolve spontaneously over a varying period of time. Most children with a mild brain injury don't need medical tests. Doctors often do a CAT scan of the head if the injury is more serious. If your child is not an infant, has not lost consciousness, and is alert and behaving normally after the fall or blow:.
If your child's skin color and breathing are normal , and you don't sense a problem, let your child sleep unless the doctor tells you otherwise. There's no need to keep a child awake after a head injury.
Trust your instincts. If you think your child doesn't look or seem right, partly awaken your child by sitting them up. They should fuss a bit and attempt to resettle. If your child still seems very drowsy, try to awaken them fully. If you can't wake your child, call your health care provider or for an ambulance.
It's impossible to protect kids from every injury. But you can help prevent head blows. Most important, childproof your home to prevent household accidents. Reviewed by: Kate M.
Cronan, MD. You or your child have had a head injury and have: been knocked out but have now woken up vomited been sick since the injury a headache that does not go away with painkillers a change in behaviour, like being more irritable or losing interest in things around you especially in children under 5 been crying more than usual especially in babies and young children problems with memory been drinking alcohol or taking drugs just before the injury a blood clotting disorder like haemophilia or you take medicine to thin your blood had brain surgery in the past You or your child could have concussion.
Immediate action required: Call if:. Help from NHS If you're not sure what to do, call or get help from online. NHS can tell you the right place to get help.
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