Head Injury
- Most head injuries are not serious and simply cause a bump or a bruise to the head or face.
- If your child’s head is bleeding, apply pressure for 5-10 minutes. If it continues to bleed, they may need to have it glued (stitches are very rarely required). This can usually be done in a minor injuries unit, an urgent treatment centre or a walk in centre. Some GPs also assess and treat minor injuries.
- A significant head injury can result in concussion. A child or young person does not have to have been unconscious, or “knocked out” for concussion to occur. Common symptoms of concussion include headache, fatigue, poor sleep and difficulty concentrating.
Please see Red-Amber-Green tables for advice on when and where to seek care for your child.
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When should you worry?
RED
If your child has had any of the following in the 48 hours following their head injury:
- The head injury was high impact for example:
- A road traffic accident
- Fall from a height of more than 1 metre (more than the child’s own height, or more than 5 stairs)
- A bruise, swelling or cut more than 5cm on the head
- Vomits 3 times or more (at least 10 minutes between each vomit)
- Behaves oddly, becomes confused or unaware of their surroundings
- Loses consciousness, becomes drowsy or difficult to wake
- Has a convulsion or fit (uncontrolled jerking, twitching movements)
- Has difficulty speaking or understanding what you are saying
- Has weakness in their arms and legs or starts losing their balance
- Has new problems with their eyesight
- Has clear fluid coming out of their nose or ears
- Bruising around their eyes or behind their ears
- Does not wake for feeds, is irritable or cries constantly and cannot be soothed
- Has memory loss of events before or after the injury
- Takes blood thinners or has a bleeding or clotting disorder
You need urgent help.
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or call 999 - dial 999.
AMBER
If your child has had any of the following in the 48 hours following their head injury:
- Has a headache that doesn’t go away or gets worse (despite painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen)
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today.
Please contact your GP surgery or call NHS 111 - dial 111.
If symptoms persist for 4 hours or more and you have not been able to speak to either a member of staff from your GP practice or to NHS 111 staff, recheck that your child has not developed any red features.
AMBER
Green
If none of the above features are present
- Is alert and interacts with you
- Vomits, but only up to twice
- Experiences mild headaches, struggles to concentrate, lacks appetite or has problems sleeping. If you are very concerned about these symptoms or they go on for more than 2 weeks, make an appointment to see your GP
- Watch them closely for any change and look out for any red or amber symptoms
- If your child has a long term condition or disability and you are worried please contact your regular team or follow any plans that they have given you.
Self care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, speak to your health visitor, local pharmacist or call NHS 111– dial 111.
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