What is a head injury?
The majority of head injuries affect only the scalp and not the brain. A large lump may appear on your child’s head, even if it was only a minor injury because there is a large blood supply to the scalp. Cuts on the head may also bleed a lot for the same reason. Usually, a skull fracture only occurs in 1% to 2% of children. Unless there is confusion, amnesia and temporary unconsciousness, your child does not have a concussion.
How can I take care of my child?
- Using soap and water wash any scrapes and apply a clean cloth for 10 minutes to stop bleeding. Apply ice for 20 minutes if there is any swelling.
- Encourage your child to rest until all symptoms of subsided (or at least for two hours). You don’t have to keep your child awake; they can be allowed to sleep. Just make him/her sleep close by so you can continually check on him/her.
- Pain medicine should not be given to your child. If the pain is bad enough to need medicine, you should have your child checked by a physician.
- If your child is vomiting, only allow your child to have clear fluids until two hours have passed without vomiting.
- Wake up your child twice during the night, once when you go to bed and again four hours later. Wake him until he/she can walk/talk normally. Repeat this for two nights. Then, you can return to a normal routine.
Call our office immediately if:
- The skin is split open and possibly need stitches.
- The headache becomes worse.
- Your child’s vision becomes double or blurred.
- Vomiting occurs more than three times.
- It is difficult to awaken your child or he/she seems confused.
- Your child begins to have difficulty walking/talking.
- The neurological condition of your child seems to worsen in any other way.