Head Injuries

Head injuries occur throughout the year in all age groups. Many parents call me to ask about what to watch for after the injury.

 When a head injury occurs, I will need to know:

1] How the injury happened

2] Whether there was a loss of consciousness?

3] Whether there seem to be any aftereffects like: loss of alertness, damage to the skin, etc.

Answers to these questions help me decide whether substantial brain injury occurred. Falls from great heights, or from a car or deep puncture wounds are reasons for an office exam. If there was a loss of consciousness for 5 minutes or more, or a shorter loss of consciousness followed by persisting headache or vomiting, an exam may be required. When the head injury causes persisting symptoms like repeated vomiting, severe headache, unequal pupils, unsteady walk, convulsions, personality changes or loss of awareness as to surroundings, an exam is necessary.

You may notice a large “goose egg” on the head within minutes of the injury. THIS IS COMMON AND NOT A SIGN OF A SERIOUS INJURY! Unless this swelling is also accompanied by the warning signs in the preceding paragraph, just relax and let your child rest. You may give Tylenol™ or ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) for a potential headache (see dosing charts on Home page).

Reviewed 5/2/2024