Head Injury

There are several different types of head injuries which include scalp trauma (cut, bruise or swelling); skull trauma (bruises or fractures); concussion (brief period of confusion, amnesia or altered mental status following trauma); and brain trauma (acute neurological symptoms such as difficult to awaken or keep awake, confused thinking, slurred speech, weakness of arms or unsteady gait). Most head impact only causes scalp injury. The swelling may take a week to resolve. The local headache at the site of impact usually clears in 2-3 days.

Reason to Have Your Child Seen

We would want your child to be seen immediately if acute neurological symptoms, seizure, knocked unconscious greater than 1 mintue, not moving neck normally within 1 hour after injury, major bleeding or bleeding that won't stop after 10 minutes of direct constant pressure, neck pain, skull has large dent or any other significant trauma. Depending upon the situation we may want you to call 911. Reasons to seek medical attention:

• Knocked unconscious less than 1 minute
• Acute neurological symptoms and now fine
• Blurred vision persisits more than 5 minutes
• Skin is split open or gaping
• Large swelling greater than 2 inches or 5 cm if older than 12 months, if less than 12 months 1 inch
• Age less than 3 months with any head injury
• Age less than 24 months with fussiness or crying that has increased
• Injury caused by a high speed, a fall with a height greater than twice the height of the child, or severe blow from a hard object
• Vomiting more than 2 times
• Watery fluid dripping from ears or nose when child is not crying
• Severe headache or crying not imporved after 20 minutes of cold pack or lasts for 3 days after injury
• Can't remember what happened
• No tetanus shot in 5 years for dirty cuts
• Any concern you may have 

Home Care Advice for Mild Head Injury

Wound Care: If scrape or cut, wash with soap and water. Apply pressure with sterile gauze for 10 minutes to stop any bleeding. 

Local Cold: Apply ice in a wet washcloth or cold pack for 20 minutes to any swelling. 

Observation: Observe closely for next two hours. Encourage your child to lie down and rest until symptoms have cleared. Mild headaches, mild dizziness and nausea or common. Allow child to sleep if he or she wants, but keep nearby checking on frequently. Awaken every 2 hours of sleeping to check the ability to walk and talk. 

Diet: Offer only clear liquids to drink in case vomiting occurs. Regular diet okay after 2 hours. 

Avoid Pain Medicine: If the headache is that bad, your child needs to be examined. 

Special Precautions for the Night: Awaken your child at your bedtime and again 4 hours later for one night. Check the ability to walk and talk. Sleep in the same room as your child for one night. After 24 hours, return to normal schedule. 

If you have any concerns about your baby's health, please call. This Website is meant to be a guideline, not a substitute for the care of a competent health care provider. Please do not give any medicines without talking to your doctor first. We are happy to help you in any way we can. 

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