Children's Health

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Rest

• Rest is the best treatment for a mild concussion. Get plenty of sleep at night, and take rests during the day.
• If a mild to moderate headache develops, lie down and try to relax your entire body.
• Take only acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, to relieve a mild headache or pain from the injury. Do not use other nonprescription or prescription medicines for pain without approval from your doctor.
• Do not drink alcohol or use illegal drugs. Alcohol and illegal drugs can slow your recovery and increase your risk of a second head injury.

If vomiting occurs:

• Wait 1 hour after the last episode of vomiting before taking liquid.
  • After an hour, drink 4 fl oz (125 mL) of clear liquid every 20 minutes for 1 hour.
  • As you feel better, begin to eat small amounts of clear soups, mild foods, and liquids.
• Keep eating clear soups, mild foods, and liquids until all symptoms are gone for 12 to 48 hours. Gelatin dessert, dry toast, crackers, and cooked cereal are good choices.

Recovery

• Return to your normal activities gradually. Don't try to do too much at once.
• Avoid activities that could lead to another head injury. If your head injury occurred during a sporting event, you should be evaluated and cleared by a doctor before returning to play. For more information, see the topic Concussion.
• Ask your doctor when it will be safe for you to drive a car or operate equipment, if that is a concern.
• Take only acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, to relieve a mild headache or pain from the injury. Do not use other nonprescription or prescription medicines for pain unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not use alcohol until your doctor tells you that you are well enough to do so. Alcohol and illegal drugs can slow your recovery and increase your risk of a second head injury.

Symptoms to watch for during home treatment

Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:

• Bleeding increases.
• Bruising or discoloring behind the ears or around the eyes develops after a head injury.
• Other symptoms develop, such as:
  • Seizure.
  • Confusion or not acting normal. Ask the person his or her name, address, and age, the date and 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.
  • Being unable to move part of the body.
  • Loss of vision in one or both eyes, or 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.
• Symptoms become more severe or more frequent.