In infants, look for swelling of the head, particularly in the soft spot in the skull (the fontanel) at the top of the head. Weakness or inability to use an arm or leg.Decreased alertness of the individual, including lapses in consciousness, drowsiness, or slurred speech.( Note: the amount of blood from the injury is not necessarily indicative of the severity of the injury.) Bleeding, denting, and other obvious signs of trauma, including bleeding from ears, nose, or mouth.Many symptoms of head trauma are as follows: Head trauma can present in many different ways depending on the severity and the type of injury. Those who play sports and young children, particularly those learning to walk, are especially prone to head injuries.

Who's at risk?Īnyone can be at risk for head trauma. Note: Do not allow the person to drink alcohol within 48 hours of the head trauma. Continue to observe the person for signs of more serious injury (ie, vomiting more than once, confusion, severe headache, stiff neck, excessive drowsiness, or otherwise behaving abnormally).Have the person eat easy-to-digest foods and avoid nonprescription medications.If the person wants to sleep, allow him/her to do so, but wake the person every 2–3 hours and check for alertness by asking questions such as what their address or phone number is.Ask the person what their symptoms are, if possible.The following should be followed during observation: Symptoms may be delayed in some cases of serious head trauma. In the case of a suspected minor head injury, such as a bump on the head in the case of a child, apply ice to the area of swelling, and observe the person for at least 24 hours. If there are signs of swelling on the head, apply ice.If the person is unconscious, assume the person has a neck injury, and support his/her neck and head, and roll the person to the side.If the person is conscious and neck injury is suspected, support his/her neck and head, and roll the person to the side.If the person is conscious and neck injury is not suspected, lean him/her forward and place support on the person's forehead.If the person vomits, as is common after head trauma, attempt to protect his/her airway so he/she does not choke or inhale it.Note: Do not attempt to remove any foreign object that may be in the wound. For a suspected fractured skull, cover the wound with a clean bandage without applying pressure.For any superficial trauma to the scalp, use a clean bandage and apply direct pressure.If there is any bleeding, attempt to stop it.Encourage the person to lie still if he/she is conscious if the person is unconscious, stabilize his/her head and neck by holding your hands on either side of the head and preventing any movement.Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation.The following first aid steps should be taken while awaiting emergency medical care: In the case of a potential neck injury, it is very important to not move the person unless it is absolutely necessary. If you suspect either a serious head injury or a neck injury, contact emergency medical services. When dealing with head trauma, it is of utmost importance to take care for potential neck/spinal injury. An internal injury, such as the brain hitting the inside of the skull, can cause bleeding within the skull.Ī blow severe enough to affect the head is also likely to affect the neck. External injuries can cause a fractured skull. Head trauma can be internal or external, or both. Injuries to the head can involve any or all parts of the head: the scalp, skull, brain, spinal fluid, and blood vessels.