First Aid: Head Injuries

Most childhood head injuries are minor and hurt only the outside of the head. Rarely, a serious head injury can cause bruising or bleeding in the brain. This type of head injury needs medical care right away.

Signs and Symptoms

Of a mild head injury:

• minor scalp swelling
• cut on the scalp
• mild headache
• vomiting once or twice

Of a possibly serious head injury:

• loss of consciousness (passing out)
• unable to respond
• obvious serious wound
• blood or clear fluid from the nose or ear
• changes in behavior, such as agitation, confusion, or being very sleepy
• trouble remembering what happened
• dizziness or stumbling
• seizure
• vomiting more than twice or vomiting hours after the injury
• severe or worsening headache

What to Do

• Call 911 for any serious head injury. Do not move an unconscious child. If a child is not breathing, do CPR, if you know how, while you wait for help.
• Call the doctor right away if an infant has a head injury or a child of any age has neck pain or won't stop crying after a head injury.
• Let the child to sleep if they're tired.

Think Prevention!

• Childproof your house.
• Don't use infant walkers.
• Make sure kids wear protective gear for contact sports, biking, skating, and skateboarding.