Live Life Team
Head injuries are very common. A minor head injury should not cause a permanent damage. The symptoms of these injuries are mild and last for a small period. If the person is conscious, there may not be any damage to the brain. Therefore, these mild injuries do not require any special treatment. Children generally do not have a fear of danger and they often suffer with minor head injuries. If symptoms worsen in them, you should consult a doctor immediately. It is always better to stay with someone, when you suffer of a minor head injury and inform the accompanying person about the injury. This can prevent problems arising out of changes in symptoms.
What are the causes of head injuries
Children are very dynamic and they have little fear of danger. This is the main reason for their getting head injuries. They climb elevated structures without fear, but fall from them often, causing head injuries to them. This is a common incident on the playgrounds and with the playground equipment. When children drive cycles, they are more prone to falls, and hence, head injuries. Industrial accidents and sports activities cause head injuries on adults.
What are the symptoms of minor head injuries
A bruise on the head is a common symptom of a minor head injury. The symptoms may also include nausea, headache, slight swelling of the scalp and a meek dizziness. After a knock or blow to the head, if your children have the above symptoms, an usual dressing may be sufficient. However, your close observation is necessary, so that if there are any changes in the symptoms you can consult a doctor immediately. Complete recovery is possible for most of the children who have mild head injuries.
If you notice the following conditions in a person who has mild head injury, you should seek immediate medical assistance for that person:
- An increasing headache or headache persisting for more than six hours after injury
- Dizziness for hours together or loss of balance
- Vomiting
- Unconsciousness
- Unequal pupil size
- Discharge of straw coloured fluid from nose or ear
- Confused state or change in behaviour after the injury
- Memory problems
- Bleeding from the scalp for a lengthy time
- Weakness in extremities
- Double vision
- Slurred speech
- Abnormal breathing pattern
- Ringing sound in the ear
- Seizure or fit
If a child is not settling down and cries continuously, you should seek medical assistance immediately.
How to treat mild head injuries
When a minor injury occurs, rest is essential and strain should be avoided. Medication should not be taken to get a sleep. Alcohol should be avoided. Short-lasting drowsiness is not a worrying factor. Drowsiness for a long time without response to any external stimulation needs immediate medical attention. Sleeping is not a problem, if occurs naturally, after a minor head injury. However, you should check the breathing pattern. Try to wake the affected person during sleep, with a regular gap, even if it is night.
Painkillers can relieve minor discomforts or headaches. However, Ibuprofen does not suit asthma patients. You should not take aspirin after a minor head injury, as it could increase bleeding. You can give liquid paracetamol for children with minor head injuries. Children above one year can take Ibuprofen, if they do not have asthma complaint or problems in any major organ.
