How Do I Know If My Child Has A Serious Head Injury?

1. Raised, swollen area from a bump or a bruise.
2. Small, shallow cut in the scalp.
3. Headache.
4. Sensitivity to noise and light.
5. Irritability or abnormal behavior.
6. Confusion.
7. Lightheadedness or dizziness.
8. Problems with balance.

How do you determine the severity of a head injury?

How is a head injury diagnosed? One of the first ways your doctor will assess your head injury is with

the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

. The GCS is a 15-point test that assesses your mental status. A high GCS score indicates a less severe injury.

When should I be concerned about my child hitting his head?

If your baby is showing any of these symptoms after experiencing an injury to their head, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room immediately: uncontrolled bleeding from a cut. a dent or bulging soft spot on the skull.

excessive bruising

and/or swelling.

What should I do if my child bangs his head?

If your child experiences a knock, bump or blow to the head, sit them down, comfort them, and make sure they rest. You can

hold a cold compress to their head

– try a bag of ice or frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel. Seek immediate medical advice if symptoms such as mild dizziness and a headache get worse.

How can I tell if a head injury is mild or severe?

1. Mild head injury: Raised, swollen area from a bump or a bruise. Small, superficial (shallow) cut in the scalp. …
2. Moderate to severe head injury (requires immediate medical attention)–symptoms may include any of the above plus: Loss of consciousness.

How do I know if child has concussion?

1. Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head.
2. Nausea or vomiting.
3. Balance problems or dizziness.
4. Double or blurry vision.
5. Sensitivity to light or noise.
6. Feeling fatigued, sluggish, groggy or dazed.
7. Difficulty paying attention.
8. Memory problems.

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 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.

How long after head injury do symptoms appear?

In most people, symptoms occur

within the first seven to 10 days

and go away within three months. Sometimes, they can persist for a year or more. The goal of treatment after concussion is to effectively manage your symptoms.

What does it mean when your child bangs his head?

Head banging can be surprising or upsetting for parents to see. But in most cases, occasional head banging is not a sign of a problem. More likely, it's a

form of self-stimulation, self-comfort, or simply a way to release frustration

.

Should I let my toddler sleep after hitting head?

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.

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 do you test for a concussion fast?

Ask them

to spell the word “world” backwards

. Have them follow your finger with just their eyes. Move your fingers up and down and make an “X.” Both eyes should be able to track the movement of your fingers. Ask they dizzy, nauseous, or do they have a headache?

Can a child sleep with concussion?

Once your child has been diagnosed with a concussion, it is

important to let him or her sleep

, as rest encourages healing of the brain.

How do you test for concussion?

Brain imaging may determine whether the injury is severe and has caused bleeding or swelling in the skull.

A cranial computerized tomography (CT) scan

is the standard test in adults to assess the brain right after injury. A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to obtain cross-sectional images of your skull and brain.

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.