How can I manage my child's head injury?
- Have your child rest or do quiet activities for 24 hours or as directed. Limit TV, video games, computer time, and...
- Apply ice on your child's head for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a...
- Watch your child for problems during the first 24 hours , or as directed. Call for help if...
What to do if your child has a head injury?
And although the wounds are usually small, some head injuries need immediate medical care. You think the injury is serious or if your child: 1. Care for a Minor Scalp Wound Wash the area with mild soap and water. To stop bleeding, use a sterile cloth and apply pressure for 10 minutes.
What is a mild head injury in a child?
Head injuries are one of the most common causes of disability and death in children. The injury can be as mild as a bump, bruise (contusion), or cut on the head, or can be moderate to severe in nature due to a concussion, deep cut or open wound, fractured skull bone (s), or from internal bleeding and damage to the brain.
What should I do if my child gets a concussion?
If your child gets a concussion, it’s extremely important for them not to get back to being overly active too soon. The best early treatment for concussion is rest from both physical and mental activity for a few days and then a gradual return to activities.
How do you treat a bump on a child's head?
Apply ice on your child's head for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel before you apply it to your child's skin. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain.
What is the best way to treat a head injury?
Be guided by your doctor, but self-care suggestions include:Don't drive home from the hospital. ... Rest quietly for the day.Use icepacks over any swollen or painful area.Take simple painkillers such as paracetamol for any headache. ... Arrange for someone to stay with you for the next 24 hours, in case you need help.More items...
How do I know if my child's head injury is serious?
The following are signs of a more serious injury:A constant headache, particularly one that gets worse.Slurred speech or confusion.Dizziness that does not go away or happens repeatedly.Extreme irritability or other abnormal behavior.Vomiting more than 2 or 3 times.Stumbling or difficulty walking.More items...•
What to watch for if a child hits head?
When to get emergency medical help after your baby bumps their headuncontrolled bleeding from a cut.a dent or bulging soft spot on the skull.excessive bruising and/or swelling.vomiting more than once.unusual sleepiness and/or difficulty staying alert.loss of consciousness or not responding to voice/touch.More items...•
How can I tell if a head injury is mild or severe?
There are three grades:Grade 1: Mild, with symptoms that last less than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.Grade 2: Moderate, with symptoms that last longer than 15 minutes and involve no loss of consciousness.Grade 3: Severe, in which the person loses consciousness, sometimes for just a few seconds.
When to CT scan after head injury?
Often, CT scans aren't necessary. CT scans can show if there is swelling or bleeding in the brain or a fracture in the skull. If you have signs of a serious injury, a CT scan is usually the best first test to diagnose it. Your health care provider will look for specific signs of a more serious problem.
Can I let my child sleep after a head bump?
If the child seemed well after the bump to the head, it is OK to let them go to sleep. But if they seem unusually sleepy, or they seem dazed when they wake, they should be seen by a doctor straight away.
How do I know if my baby is OK after a fall?
It is fine to pick up the baby and comfort them if they are conscious and do not appear to have any serious injuries. Gently check them over, paying close attention to their head for bumps, bruises, or other injuries. Check the rest of the baby's body, including the arms, legs, chest, and back.
What Is A Head Injury in Children?
Symptoms
- Head injuries cause many symptoms, depending on the type of injury, its severity and its location on the head and the brain inside. The child's neurological symptoms can include: 1. Passing out (loss of consciousness) 2. Unresponsiveness 3. Headache 4. Dizziness 5. Drowsiness 6. Nausea and vomiting 7. Confusion 8. Difficulty walking 9. Slurred speech 10. Loss of memory (amnesia) …
Diagnosis
- In most cases of mild childhood head injuries, parents call the doctor's office first to determine whether their child needs to be evaluated in person. If you contact your child's doctor about a head injury, the doctor will want to know: 1. How and when your child hurt his head – If your child has fallen, the doctor will want to know the height of the fall and the surface on which he or she l…
Expected Duration
- How long symptoms last depends on the type and severity of the injury. For example, pain from mild head injuries usually lasts for only a few minutes. Symptoms from a concussion often go away within minutes or hours after the injury, but a child may have some confusion, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, headaches, dizziness or fatigue that lasts for several days or even longe…
Prevention
- To help prevent head injuries in children: 1. Never leave your baby alone on a changing table, bed, chair or raised surface. Instead, place your baby in a crib or playpen or on the floor if you must leave him or her unattended. 2. Do not use baby walkers, because these devices can cause falls and serious injuries. 3. Install window guards on window...
Treatment
- Children with mild head injuries usually don't need any treatment other than careful monitoring for 48 hours. For a child with a concussion careful monitoring also is important and the child may need to stay out of sports for an extended period. If your child's injury is more serious and he or she is being monitored in the emergency room or has been admitted to the hospital for observat…
When to Call A Professional
- Call for emergency help immediately if your infant falls and does not respond to your voice or touch, or if he or she appears to have trouble moving any body part. In any other situation where a baby falls and hits his or her head, call your doctor for advice. This is the safest thing to do, even if the infant appears to have no serious injuries. Also, call for emergency help immediately if your …
Prognosis
- The outlook depends on the location and severity of the injury, as well as the child's age. For example, most children with mild head injuries have an excellent prognosis with a very low risk of long-term complications. However, infants may be more likely to have complications because their brains have not finished growing.
Further Information
- Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Medical Disclaimer