How to Identify Symptoms of a Head Injury

• Call emergency services if you notice any of the following signs: severe head or facial bleeding, severe headache, loss of consciousness or breath, seizures, repeated vomiting, weakness, confusion, unequal pupil size, or black and blue discoloration below the eyes and ears.
• See your doctor within a day or two of any serious head injury, even if it didn't require emergency attention. Make sure to tell your doctor about how the injury occurred and any measures you've taken to relieve it at home, including pain medications or administering basic first aid.
• Be aware that the precise identification of the type and severity of a head injury are next-to-impossible for a first aider to assess. Internal injuries require assessment by medical specialists at appropriate medical facilities.

2. Stabilize the head

If someone has a head injury and is conscious, it's important to stabilize his or her head while you are providing care or waiting for medical attention. Placing your hands on both sides of the person's head can keep it from moving and causing further injury as well as allow you to provide any necessary first aid.

• Place a rolled up coat, blankets, or articles of clothing next to a victim's head to stabilize it if you are providing first aid.
• Keep the person as still as possible with the head and shoulders slightly elevated.
• Avoid removing any helmet a victim is wearing to prevent further injury.
• Avoid shaking a person, even if he or she seems confused or loses consciousness. You can simply tap the person without moving him or her.

3. Stop bleeding

If there is any bleeding with either a serious or non-serious injury, it's important to control it. Apply clean bandages or cloths to get bleeding from any type of head injury.

• Use firm pressure to apply the bandages or cloths unless you suspect a skull fracture. In this case, simply cover the bleeding site with a sterile dressing.
• Avoid removing bandages or cloths. If the wound bleeds through any dressings, simply place a new one over the old cloth. You should also avoid removing any debris from the wound. If there is a lot of debris, lightly cover the wound with bandages.
• Be aware that you should never wash a head wound that is bleeding a lot or is very deep.

4. Deal with vomiting

There may be vomiting present with some head injuries. If you've stabilized the head and the person begins vomiting, you'll need to prevent choking. Rolling the person on to his or her side as one unit can minimize the risk of choking by vomiting.

• Make sure to support the person's head, neck, and spine as you roll the individual to the side.

5. Apply ice packs for swelling

If you or another person has swelling at the site of a head injury, use ice packs to reduce it. This can control inflammation and any pain or discomfort the person is experiencing.

• Place ice on injury for 20 minutes at a time up to three to five times a day. Remember to get medical attention if the swelling doesn't decrease within a day or two. If the swelling gets worse, is accompanied by vomiting and/ or severe headache, seek immediate medical attention.
• Use a commercial ice pack or fashion one with a bag of frozen vegetables or fruit. Remove if it gets too cold or causes you pain. Putting a towel or cloth between your skin and the pack can prevent discomfort and frostbite.

6. Monitor the victim continuously

If a person injured his or her head, it's a good idea to keep an eye on the person for a few days or until medical professionals arrive. This can alert you to provide assistance if the person's vital signs change. It can also reassure and calm the injured person.

• Watch for any changing in the person's breathing and alertness. If the person stops breathing, begin CPR if you are able.
• Keep talking to the person to reassure him or her, which can also help you recognize and changes to speech or cognitive ability.
• Make sure any victim of a head injury avoids alcohol consumption for 48 hours. Alcohol can obscure potential signs of serious injury or a deterioration in the person's condition.
• Remember to get medical attention if you are unsure about any change in the condition of someone with a head injury.

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