Head Injury,Age 4 and Older - Home Treatment

Home treatment for a head injury is only appropriate if there was no loss of consciousness or inability to recall current events (amnesia) after the injury. If either loss of consciousness or amnesia has occurred, return to the Emergencies and Check Your Symptoms sections of this topic to determine when to see your doctor.

Immediately after a head injury:

Check for:
- Seizure.
- Confusion or not acting normal. Ask the person his or her name, address, age, the date, location, and the name of the president.
- Severe irritability or wanting to fight.
- Inability to remember what happened just before or after the injury.
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or unsteadiness that makes it hard to stand or walk.
- Symptoms that affect one side of the body more than the other side, such as numbness, weakness, or difficulty moving.
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes, changes in the size or shape of the pupils and the reaction to light or abnormal eye movements, such as jerking motions or the eyes not working together.
- Vomiting.
- A severe headache.
- Abnormally deep sleep, difficulty waking up, or extreme sleepiness.
If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure directly over the wound with a clean cloth or bandage for 15 minutes. See how to stop bleeding. If the cut is deep and may have penetrated the skull, emergency treatment is needed.
Check for injuries to other parts of the body, especially if the person has fallen. The alarm of seeing a head injury may cause you to overlook other injuries that need attention.
Apply ice or cold packs to reduce the swelling. A "goose egg" lump may appear anyway, but ice will help ease the pain.
Be sure to follow any home care instructions from your doctor. If you have questions about the instructions, call your doctor.

Minor head injuries

Many minor head injuries that do not involve loss of consciousness or amnesia may be treated at home. A person who has had a head injury should be watched closely for at least 24 hours after the injury. Home treatment can also help relieve swelling and bruising of the skin or scalp and pain caused by a minor head injury.

If a visit to your doctor is not needed immediately:

Apply ice or cold packs to reduce the swelling. A "goose egg" lump may appear anyway, but ice will help ease the pain.
You may use acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, to relieve a mild headache or pain from the injury.

Watch

The injured person should be watched by a responsible adult for the next 24 hours.
- Call911or go to an emergency room immediately if unconsciousness or seizure activity develops.
- Seek medical care if any new symptoms, such as vomiting, a severe headache, blurred or double vision, or unsteadiness, develop after the injury (postconcussive syndrome).

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WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 09, 2008

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.