Apply firm pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or
a clean cloth. But don't apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture
What will you look for if you suspect someone has a head injury?
To tell the difference, look for other signs of a serious head injury, such as a severe
headache
; Clear or bloody fluid coming from your nose, ears, or mouth; Confusion, drowsiness, or a loss of consciousness; Changes in the way you hear, see, taste, or smell; memory loss; mood changes or strange behaviors; slurred …
What should you do if someone is unconscious and you suspect a head injury?
- There is severe head or face bleeding.
- The person is confused, tired, or unconscious.
- The person stops breathing.
- You suspect a serious head or neck injury, or the person develops any signs or symptoms of a serious head injury.
How can I tell if a head injury is mild or severe?
- Mild head injury: Raised, swollen area from a bump or a bruise. Small, superficial (shallow) cut in the scalp. …
- Moderate to severe head injury (requires immediate medical attention)–symptoms may include any of the above plus: Loss of consciousness.
What are the initial steps of treating someone with a suspected head injury?
Apply firm pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth
. But don't apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture
Can I sleep if I hit my head?
Most medical professionals say
it is fine
—sometimes even advised—to let people sleep after incurring a head injury. The American Academy of Family Physicians states it is not necessary to keep a person awake after a head injury.
How long does it take for symptoms of a hit to the head?
Symptoms usually start
within 24 hours
, but sometimes may not appear for up to 3 weeks.
How do you know if your brain is bleeding after hitting your head?
Confusion
.
Unequal pupil size
.
Slurred speech
.
Loss of movement
(paralysis) on the opposite side of the body from the head injury.
What are the symptoms of a slow brain bleed?
- Head pain.
- Neck or back pain.
- Neck stiffness.
- Vision changes.
- Photophobia.
- Weakness on one side of the face or body.
- Slurred speech.
- Lethargy.
What are 3 symptoms of a concussion?
- Headache or “pressure” in head.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.
- Bothered by light or noise.
- Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.
- Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.
- Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.
What happens if a concussion goes untreated?
A: Concussion left untreated can lead to long-term complications. Potential complications of a concussion include
chronic headaches, memory problems, vertigo
, and post-concussion syndrome, which is headaches, dizziness, mood swings, and brain fog that can continue for months or years after a concussion.
What happens if a skull fracture goes untreated?
A skull fracture is a head injury where there is a break in the skull bone. While mild breaks can cause few problems and heal over time, severe breaks can lead to complications including
bleeding, brain damage, leaking of cerebrospinal fluid, infection and seizures
.
Should I go to hospital if I hit my head?
Emerman says patients who've suffered a head injury should
visit the Emergency Department immediately
if they: Lost consciousness or became confused/disoriented after they were injured. Suffered the injury at a high speed (car or bike accident, a steep fall, etc.) Are vomiting or feel nauseated.
How long should you stay awake after hitting head?
For folks in a pinch, here's the quick answer: Do not allow the athlete (or concussed individual) to sleep for at least
3 hours
after the injury. May not need to wake the athlete throughout the night, but monitoring them throughout the night is prudent.
Should I put ice on my head if I hit it?
Head injuries are often not serious, but brain injuries can be. Any threat of brain damage from a head injury should be checked by a physician.
Ice applied to the bruised area will help control swelling
. Any vision problems or bleeding from the eyes or ears as a result of a head injury warrants a trip to a physician.
How long after fall does pain start?
At first, you don't feel more than bruised—but later, pain sets in.
Perhaps even after a week or two
, you might start to experience pain in your joints, knees, back or hips. You might experience headaches and the other symptoms that come with them.
