A head injury is any type of trauma that occurs to the brain, skull, or scalp. These injuries may be open or closed with varying severity, from minor bruising to concussion. Head injuries are difficult to diagnose by just looking at the sufferer, even though any type of head injury is potentially serious. However, by watching for signs of a potential head injury through a brief examination, you can recognize the symptoms and seek help immediately.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Watching for Signs of Injury
Step 1. Know the risks
Head trauma can happen to anyone who bumps, nods, or scratches their head. These injuries can be caused by car accidents, collisions with other people, or simply nodding off the head. While most head traumas cause minor injuries and don't require hospitalization, you should check on yourself or someone else after an accident. This step can help ensure that you don't suffer a serious or potentially life-threatening head injury.
Step 2. Check for external injuries
If you or someone else has had an accident or trauma to the head or face, take a few minutes to thoroughly examine the external injury. External injuries can signal an injury that requires immediate treatment and first aid, as well as an injury that may develop into a more serious problem. Be sure to thoroughly examine each part of the head by looking at it and gently touching the surface of the skin. Those signs include:
- Bleeding from cuts or scrapes which may be heavy because the head has more blood vessels than the rest of the body.
- Bleeding or discharge from the nose or ears.
- Changes in the color of the area under the eyes or ears to black and blue.
- Bruises.
- A lump that sticks out, or sometimes just a "bump"
- There is a foreign object trapped in the head.
Step 3. Observe the physical signs of the injury
In addition to bleeding and lumps, there are other physical signs that a person with a head injury may experience. Many of these signs may indicate a serious external injury, or an internal injury. These signs may appear immediately or develop over a few hours or days, and require immediate medical attention. Be sure to watch for the following signs in yourself or someone with a head injury:
- Stop breathing
- Severe headache or one that is getting worse
- Loss of balance
- Loss of consciousness
- Weak
- Inability to move arms or legs
- Differences in pupil size or abnormal eye movements
- Seizure
- Crying constantly at children
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or spinning sensation
- Ears ringing for a while
- Feeling very sleepy
Step 4. Watch for cognitive signs of internal injury
Watching for physical signs is often the easiest way to recognize a head injury. However, in some cases, a head injury may not be accompanied by a cut or lump, or even a headache. However, there are signs of a potentially serious head injury that you should watch out for. Seek medical attention if you notice any of the following cognitive symptoms of a head injury:
- memory loss
- Mood swings
- Confusion or disorientation
- Difficulty speaking
- Sensitivity to light, sound, or interference.
Step 5. Continue to monitor the symptoms
Understand that the symptoms of a brain injury may go undetected. These signs may be mild and do not appear until several days or weeks after the trauma. Therefore, continue to monitor the health of you or the victim of a head accident.
Ask if your friend or family member is aware of potential symptoms in your behavior or notices physical signs such as a change in skin color
Part 2 of 2: Dealing with Head Injuries
Step 1. Seek medical attention
If you recognize the symptoms of a head injury and/or doubt it, see a doctor or call the emergency department. That way, you can ensure that serious or life-threatening injuries don't occur, and that you get the right treatment.
- Call the emergency room if you notice any of the following signs: heavy bleeding in the head or face, severe headache, loss of consciousness or breathing, seizures, vomiting, weakness, confusion, difference in pupil size, and discoloration of the bottom of the eye. eyes and ears turn black and blue.
- See a doctor a day or two after you have a serious head injury, even if the injury doesn't require emergency help. Be sure to share how the injury occurred and what treatments you have taken at home to relieve it, including the use of pain medication and first aid.
- Understand that the type and severity of head injury is almost impossible for rescue workers to accurately determine. Internal injuries require examination by a specialist in an adequate hospital.
Step 2. Stabilize the head position
If someone has a head injury and is still conscious, you should stabilize the head while providing assistance or waiting for medical attention. Placing your hands on either side of the victim's head can help prevent movement and prevent further injury, as well as allow you to provide the first aid you need.
- Place a roll of coat, blanket, or clothing next to the victim's head to stabilize his position if you are administering first aid.
- Keep the victim's body motionless as much as possible with the head and shoulders slightly elevated.
- Avoid removing the helmet the victim is wearing to prevent further injury.
- Avoid shaking the victim's body even if he or she appears confused or loses consciousness. Simply pat the victim's body without changing its position.
Step 3. Stop the bleeding
If the bleeding accompanies a serious or non-serious injury, you should try to control it. Use a clean bandage or clothing to absorb the blood from any type of head injury.
- Press the bandage or clothing firmly unless you suspect a fracture to the victim's skull. In this case, simply protect the bleeding site with a sterile bandage.
- Do not remove the victim's bandages or clothing. If blood is seeping out of the bandage, simply apply a new bandage over it. You should also not remove debris from around the wound. If there is a lot of debris on the wound, just cover it with a bandage.
- Be aware that you should not wash a head injury that is very deep or bleeding profusely.
Step 4. Treat vomiting
Vomiting may accompany some cases of head injury. If the victim's head has been stabilized and he begins to vomit, you should try to prevent him from choking. Turning the victim's entire body to the side can reduce the risk of choking on vomit.
Be sure to support the victim's head, neck, and spine while tilting her to the side
Step 5. Use an ice pack to treat swelling
If you or the victim has swelling at the site of the head injury, use an ice pack to relieve it. This step can reduce the inflammation and discomfort experienced by the victim.
- Place the ice pack on the wound for 20 minutes at a time 3-5 times a day. Remember to seek medical attention if the swelling doesn't subside within a day or two. If the swelling gets worse, is accompanied by vomiting, and/or a severe headache, seek medical attention immediately.
- Use ready made ice packs, or use frozen fruit and vegetable bags. Stop using the ice pack if it feels too cold or causes pain. Place a layer of towel or cloth between the skin and the ice pack to prevent discomfort and frostbite.
Step 6. Continue to monitor the victim's condition
If a head injury occurs to the victim, you should continue to monitor his condition for several days or until medical help arrives. That way, you can provide help if the victim's vital signs change. In addition, it is also useful for calming and reassuring the victim.
- Watch for changes in the victim's breathing and consciousness. If the victim stops breathing, give CPR if you can.
- Keep talking to the victim to calm him down. It can also help you recognize changes in speech patterns and cognitive abilities.
- Make sure all victims of head injuries have not consumed alcohol for 48 hours. Alcohol can disguise potential signs of serious injury or worsening of the victim's condition.
- Remember to seek medical attention if you have any doubts about the changes in the condition of a person with a head injury.
