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Any blow to the head may cause head injury
that may result in scalp, skull or brain
injury. Emergency care for head injuries
is of the utmost importance. In all cases
of head injuries, you should assume that
the neck has also been injured. Head injury
signs and symptoms that may require emergency
medical care:
- Loss of consciousness,
drowsiness or confusion
- Make mental notes on changes
in the level of consciousness during the
time the victim is in your care. When
medical help arrives give them this information.
- If the victim is unconscious,
move the head as little as possible to
keep the airway open. If it is necessary
to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR), the body must be moved as a unit;
the spine and neck should not be allowed
to twist or bend.
- Difficulty or inability
to move any part of the body
- Scalp discoloration, dent,
bruise, cut or blood
- Severe headache
- Stiff neck
- Vomiting
- Blood or fluid from the
ear, nose or mouth
- Convulsions
- Blurred, doubled or loss
of vision
- Check for obstructed breathing
CALL
911 IMMEDIATELY
First aid for minor head injuries:
Apply an ice pack to the injured area. Do
not use ice directly on the skin/injury.
Change the ice pack every 15 – 20 minutes
for approximately 2 hours.
Cover the injury with a band-aid, gauze
or dressing.
If there is no serious injury, return to
normal activity.
Over-the-counter medication should ease
any pain.
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