By Sally Robinson
What should you do if your child has a head injury but does not lose consciousness? This is what is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
For anything more than a light bump on the head, you should call your child’s doctor. The doctor will want to know when and how the injury happened and how your child is feeling.If your child is alert and responds to you, the head injury is mild and usually no tests or X-rays are needed.Your child may cry from pain or fright but this should last no longer than 10 minutes. You may need to apply a cold compress for 20 minutes to help the swelling go down and then watch your child closely for a time.
If there are any changes in your child’s condition call your doctor right away.You may need to bring your child to the doctor’s office or to the hospital.The following are signs of a more serious injury:
• A constant headache, particularly one that gets worse;
• Slurred speech or confusion;
• Dizziness that does not go away or happens repeatedly;
• Extreme irritability or other abnormal behavior;
• Vomiting more than two or three times;
• Stumbling or difficulty walking;
• Oozing blood or watery fluid from the nose or ears;
• Difficulty waking up or excessive sleepiness;
• Unequal size of the pupils (the dark center part of the eyes);
• Double vision or blurry vision;
• Unusual paleness that lasts for more than an hour;
• Convulsions (seizures);
• Difficulty recognizing familiar people;
• Weakness of arms or legs or
• Persistent ring in the ears.
If your child loses consciousness, call 9-1-1. Special tests may need to be done to find out how serious the injury is. If the test results are normal you (or a responsible adult) will need to watch your child closely. Your doctor will let you know if this can be at home or the hospital. If you are able to take your child home call your doctor if the condition changes.
It is OK for your child to go to sleep. However, your doctor may recommend that you wake your child every 2 to 3 hours to make sure that he moves normally, wakes enough to recognize you, and respond to you.
Do not give pain medication except for acetaminophen unless your doctor orders it.
If the tests are abnormal, your doctor may talk to a specialist and admit your child to the hospital for closer observation.