A minor head injury often causes a bruise or bump. As long as an individual is conscious and without any deep cuts, it is unlikely that there is serious damage. The other symptoms of a minor head injury might include the following:
- Nausea
- Mild dizziness
- Mild headache
- Mild blurred vision
Once these symptoms become worse or if other serious symptoms develop, bring the individual straight to the nearest emergency department or call for emergency assistance.
Close monitoring
In case a child or individual is suspected of sustaining a head injury, it is vital to observe them closely for 24 hours to check if there are changes to the symptoms or they become worse.
When a child has a minor head injury, he/she might cry or appears distressed. Remember that this is considered normal. With reassurance and attention, most children eventually settle down. Nevertheless, seek medical care if the child continues to appear distressed.
Signs and symptoms of a serious head injury
It is essential to seek direct medical care if the following symptoms are evident after a child or adult sustained a blow to the head.
- Loss of consciousness either momentary or for an extended period of time
- Drainage of clear fluid from the ears or nose. The fluid might be cerebrospinal fluid that normally surrounds the brain.
- There is difficulty staying awake or still sleepy several hours after sustaining the injury.
- Evident bruising behind one or both ears
- Bleeding from one or both ears
- Any indication of damage to the skull or a penetrating injury to the head
- Difficulty speaking particularly speech that is evidently incoherent
- Writing or reading problems
- Difficulty in understanding what others say
- Generalized weakness
- Difficulty walking or balance issues
- Loss of sensation or power in one part of the body such as loss of feeling or weakening in one leg or arm
- A persistent headache
- Vision problems such as double vision or blurred vision
- Vomiting since the injury was sustained
- Seizures or fit
- Irritability or erratic behavior
- Loss of memory such as inability to recall what transpired before or after the injury
Once any of these symptoms are observable, especially loss of consciousness even for a brief period of time, bring the individual to the nearest emergency department or call for emergency assistance.
It is also vital to bring the individual to the nearest hospital if the individual sustained a head injury and any of the following:
- Injury was due to a strong blow to the head at high speeds such as vehicular collisions or falling one meter or higher
- Individual has issues with uncontrollable bleeding or a blood clotting condition or currently using medications that can lead to bleeding issues such as warfarin
- Individual had a previous brain surgery
- Individual was intoxicated by alcohol or drugs
- If the individual was suspected of deliberately hurting himself/herself or someone had the intention of hurting the individual on purpose