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• Part 1 of 2: Recognize the symptoms of a head injury
• Part 2 of 2: What to do with a head injury
• Warnings

Head injuries include any damage to your brain, skull, or scalp. The injury can be open or closed and can range from a minor bruise to a concussion. It can be difficult to determine the severity of the head injury when looking at the person alone, and any type of head injury can have serious injuries. However, by looking for signs of a head injury with the help of a brief examination, you can identify the symptoms of a head injury and get medical help quickly.

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Part 1 of 2: Recognize the symptoms of a head injury

1. Be aware of the risks. Anyone who hits or hits his or her head can suffer a head injury. You can get a head injury as a result of a car accident, a fall, a collision with another person or simply bumping your head. Although most head injuries are not serious and therefore do not require hospitalization, it is very important that you check yourself or any other person after an accident (-you). This allows you to rule out whether there is a serious or potentially life-threatening head injury.
2. Check for external injuries. If you or another person has had an accident or injury to the head or face, take a few minutes to thoroughly investigate any external injuries. This will help you determine whether you should seek immediate medical attention for the injury and provide first aid, as well as whether you are dealing with an injury that could lead to a more serious problem. Make sure to examine each part of the head by using your eyes and gently touching the skin. With a head injury you can determine the following:
   • Loss of blood from a cut or scrape, which can be serious as the head has more blood vessels than any other part of the body
   • Loss of blood or fluid from the nose or ears
   • Black and blue discoloration under the eyes or ears
   • Bruising
   • Bumps
   • Foreign objects stuck in the scalp
3. Observe physical symptoms as a result of the injury. In addition to possible blood loss and bumps, other physical symptoms may be observable that may indicate a head injury. Many of these symptoms can indicate serious external or internal injury. These symptoms can be immediate or develop over a number of hours or days. They require immediate medical attention. These are the physical symptoms to look out for:
   • Not normal breathing
   • Severe or worsening headache
   • Balance problems
   • Loss of consciousness
   • Feeling weak
   • Inability to use arms or legs
   • Different sized pupils or abnormal eye movements
   • To attack
   • Crying persistently in children
   • Loss of appetite
   • Nausea or vomiting
   • Dizziness or the feeling that everything is spinning
   • Temporary ringing in the ears
   • Increased sleepiness
4. Determine if you are dealing with cognitive symptoms of a head injury. Observing physical symptoms of injury is often the easiest way to determine if you are dealing with a head injury. In some cases, you may not notice cuts, bumps, or even headaches. However, there are other potentially serious head injury symptoms to keep an eye out for. Seek immediate medical attention if you observe any of the following cognitive symptoms of a head injury:
   • Amnesia
   • Changes in behavior
   • Confusion or disorientation
   • Slurred speech
   • Extra sensitivity to light, sound or distractions
5. Keep a close eye on symptoms. It is important to be aware that you may not notice any symptoms of brain injury. The symptoms can also be very mild and may not appear for the first few days or weeks after the injury is received. For these reasons, it is very important to keep a close eye on your own health or that of the person who has sustained a head injury.
   • Ask friends or family members if they have noticed changes in your behavior or any visible physical symptoms (for example, discoloration) that could indicate a head injury.

Part 2 of 2: What to do with a head injury

1. Seek medical attention. If you observe one or more symptoms of a head injury and / or are unsure about the seriousness of the situation, you should see your doctor or seek medical attention. This will help you rule out whether you're dealing with a serious or life-threatening injury and get the right treatment.
   • Call the emergency services if you experience any of the following symptoms: heavy bleeding from the head or face, severe headache, loss of consciousness, not breathing normally, seizures, persistent vomiting, feeling weak, confused, pupils of different sizes or black and blue discolouration underneath the eyes and ears.
   • See your doctor within a day or two for serious head injuries, even if medical attention was not needed at first. Make sure to tell your doctor how you got the injury and what measures you took at home to relieve the pain. Don't forget to tell your doctor about any pain medication or emergency care you used.
   • Be aware that it is nearly impossible for a person providing first aid to estimate the exact nature and severity of the head injury. To determine whether there is an internal injury, you should be examined by medical specialists in a hospital that is equipped with the appropriate medical facilities.
2. Stabilize the head. If someone has sustained a head injury and is conscious, it is important to stabilize their head while providing assistance or waiting for emergency services. Place your hands on either side of the victim's head to keep him or her from moving it. This can prevent further injury and also offers you the opportunity to provide first aid.
   • Place a rolled-up coat, blanket, or other item of clothing next to the victim's head to stabilize it while providing first aid.
   • Keep the person as still as possible with the head and shoulders slightly elevated.
   • If the victim is wearing a helmet, do not take it off to avoid further injury.
   • Do not shake the victim from side to side, even if he or she appears very confused or unconscious. You simply need to tap the person without moving him or her.
3. Try to stop any bleeding. If you observe bleeding from either a major or minor injury, it is important to control the bleeding. Apply clean dressings or use cloths to stop bleeding from head injury.
   • Apply firm pressure when applying the bandage or drapes unless you suspect you are dealing with a skull fracture. In such a case, you simply need to cover the wound area with sterile bandages.
   • Avoid removing dressings or cloths. If the blood seeps through the dressing or drapes, put a new one over the old one. You should also avoid removing dirt particles from the wound. If you notice a lot of dirt in the wound, you should cover it lightly with a wound dressing.
   • Be aware that you should never wash a head wound that is bleeding heavily or is very deep.
4. Dealing with vomiting. Some head injuries can be severe vomiting. If you have stabilized the head and the victim then starts vomiting, you should prevent him or she from suffocating. Turning the person on their side can reduce the risk of choking while vomiting.
   • Make sure you provide adequate support for the victim's head, neck, and spine when you turn him or her.
5. Use a cold pack to prevent swelling. If you or another person are experiencing swelling from a head injury, you can use cold packs to control the swelling. This allows you to control inflammation and any pain or discomfort the victim experiences.
   • Cool the wound area with ice for 20 minutes three to five times a day. Seek medical attention if the swelling hasn't subsided after a day or two. If the swelling appears to be getting worse, accompanied by vomiting and / or severe headaches, seek immediate medical attention.
   • Use instant cold packs that are part of a first aid kit or make your own with a bag of frozen fruits or vegetables. Remove the cold pack or bag if it gets too cold or starts to hurt. Place a towel or cloth between your skin and the cold pack to prevent discomfort and frostbite.
6. Constantly monitor the victim. If a person has been injured to the head, it is wise to keep a close eye on him or her for several days or until the professional rescuers arrive. This way, you can provide immediate assistance if you observe changes in the victim's vital signs. This will also reassure and calm the victim.
   • Try to spot any changes in the victim's breathing and alertness early on. When the victim stops breathing, start CPR if you are able to.
   • Keep talking to the victim to reassure him or her. This also allows you to perceive any changes in the victim's speech or cognitive ability.
   • Make sure that any victim who has sustained a head injury does not consume alcohol within the first 48 hours of being injured. Alcohol can reduce potential symptoms of serious head injury or deterioration in health.
   • Remember to seek medical attention if you are unsure about any changes in the condition of a head injured victim.

Warnings

• Prevent athletes with head injuries from returning to exercise before they have fully recovered.