Head Injury (Child)

Home care

Watch for the following symptoms

For the next 24 hours (or longer, if directed), you or another adult must stay with your child. Seek emergency medical care if your child has any of these symptoms over the next hours to days: 

• Headache, especially if it gets worse

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Unusual sleepiness or grogginess

• Trouble falling asleep

• Personality changes

• Vision changes

• Memory loss

• Confusion

• Trouble walking or clumsiness

• Loss of consciousness (even for a short time)

• Inability to be awakened

• Stiff neck

• Weakness or numbness in any part of the body

• Seizures

For young children, also watch for crying that can’t be soothed, refusal to feed, or any signs of changes to the head, such as bruising, bulging, or a soft or pushed-in spot.

General care

• If your child was prescribed medicines for pain, be sure to give them to your child as directed. Note: Don’t give your child other pain medicines without checking with the doctor first.

• To help reduce swelling and pain, apply a cold source to the injured area for up to 20 minutes at a time. Do this as often as directed. Use a cold pack or bag of ice wrapped in a thin towel. Never apply a cold source directly to the skin.

• If your child has cuts or scrapes on the face or scalp, care for them as directed.

• For the next 24 hours (or longer, if advised), your child should follow these guidelines:

  • Don't lift or do other strenuous activities.

  • Don't play sports or any other activities that could result in another head injury.

  • Your child may need to limit TV, smartphones, video games, computers, and music if they find these activities make symptoms worse.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your child’s doctor as directed. If imaging tests were done, they will be reviewed by a doctor. You will be told the results and any new findings that may affect your child’s care.

When to get medical advice

Contact the doctor right away if your child has:

• Pain that doesn’t get better or gets worse.

• New or increased swelling or bruising.

• Increased redness, warmth, drainage, or bleeding from the injured area.

• Fluid drainage or bleeding from the nose or ears.

• Sick appearance or behaviors that worry you.

• Lethargy or excessive sleepiness.

• Bruising around the eyes or behind the ears.

• Double vision.

• Repeated episodes of vomiting.

• Trouble walking or talking.