A question that is often asked by parents and caretakers everywhere is, “How do I know if my child’s head injury is serious?” Sometimes it can be difficult to determine the severity of a baby head injury or toddler head injury, especially since young children cannot communicate how they feel.
The best course of action is to prepare yourself for the moment your child falls and has an injury to the head. To help you to understand what a head injury is, Stanford Children’s Health defines a head injury as, “any kind of damage to the scalp, skull, brain, or other tissue and blood vessels in the head.”
The Different Types of Head Injuries
There are different types of head injuries that are common: concussion, contusion, and skull fracture. It is important to know the differences between these types of head injuries, so that you can react appropriately and quickly.
A contusion can be described as bruising on the brain and a skull fracture is defined as a crack or break in the skull bone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describe a concussion as being, “a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.”
Concussion Symptoms
Concussions are tricky, not only because younger children may not be able to communicate how they feel, but also because at first you may not know how serious the injury is. While a simple bump on the head may be a mild head injury, symptoms of a concussion may develop over a couple of hours or even days. This is why it is important to know the symptoms of a concussion.
Your child may have suffered a concussion if they:
- Cannot recall events before or after the head injury
- Look confused or stunned
- Are more clumsy than usual
- Speak slowly
- Are in and out of consciousness (loss of consciousness)
- Display mood swings or behavior changes
- Complain of a headache
- Are nauseous or vomiting
- Have one pupil larger than the other
What You Can Do For Head Injuries in Children
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital agrees that it is difficult to determine how serious a child’s head injury can be after a fall. However, there are things you can watch out for to make sure the appropriate steps are taken to prevent brain damage and severe outcomes.
As the parent or caretaker of a child who suffers a blow to the head, it is recommended to monitor or watch your child for any sign of severe head injury by keeping close tabs on them for 24 hours to 48 hours after the incident. Nationwide Child explains that if any symptoms of a head injury occur, it is vital that a medical professional be involved.
After you call your doctor and receive the appropriate medical advice, there are also simple guidelines you should follow after a child sustains a severe or mild traumatic brain injury (concussion).
It is recommended to:
- Make sure you prevent the child from participating in any strenuous activity
- Avoid giving the child Aspirin or Ibuprofen for 48 hours after the incident
- Instead, use Tylenol or Acetaminophen to help with pain management
- Make sure the child rests and eats small meals
- Use ice packs to help with pain
When Should We Seek Medical Care?
Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine in Colorado is a great option if your child experiences a minor concussion. However, if your little one loses consciousness or is experiencing nausea, vomiting, and is disoriented, you will need to bring your child to a hospital as soon as possible.
Head injuries can be life threatening so it is vital that a child be seen by a professional especially if more serious symptoms are exhibited. It is better to be overly careful when it comes to head traumas to prevent any grave consequences.
Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine is Here For You
Now that you know more about head injuries, do not hesitate to visit your nearest Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine clinic for treatment of mild concussions.
We have clinics conveniently located across the Denver metro area and are open 7 days a week. Click here to reserve your spot or walk-in today!
Don’t forget to check out our other blogs: “When to Bring Your Child to an Urgent Care” and “How Do You Know if a Child has COVID?“