First Aid and Emergencies
Head
Injuries
Most bumps on the head are minor
and heal as easily as bumps anywhere else. Head injuries that cause cuts often
bleed heavily because the
blood vessels of the scalp are close
to the skin's surface. In children, blood loss from a scalp injury may be enough
to cause symptoms of shock.
Head injuries that do not cause
visible external bleeding may have caused life-threatening bleeding and swelling
inside the skull. Anyone who has experienced a head injury should be watched
carefully for
24 hours for signs of a severe head injury.
Wear a seat belt when in a motor vehicle. Use child car
seats.
Wear a helmet while biking, motorcycling, and skating.
Don't dive into shallow or unfamiliar water.
If the victim is unconscious, assume he or she has a
spinal injury. Do not move the victim without first protecting the neck
from movement (See Spinal Injuries).
Check for other injuries.
If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure directly over
the wound with a clean cloth or bandage for 15 minutes. If the blood
soaks through, apply additional cloths over the first one.See
Stopping Severe Bleeding.
Apply ice or cold packs to reduce the swelling. A "goose
egg" may appear anyway, but ice will help ease the pain.
For the first 24 hours after a head injury, watch the victim
for signs of a severe head injury. Check for the following every 2 hours:
Confusion. Ask the person his or her name, address,
age, the date, etc.
Inability to move the arms and legs on one side of
the body, or slower movement of the limbs on one side than on the
other.
Lethargy, abnormally deep sleep, or difficulty waking
up.
Vomiting that continues after the first 2 hours, or
violent vomiting that persists after the first 15 minutes.
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Continue observing the person every 2 hours during the
night. Wake the person up and check for any unusual symptoms. Call 911
or go to an emergency room immediately if you cannot wake the person or
if he or she has any of
the above symptoms.
Check for injuries to other parts of the body, especially
if the person has fallen. The alarm from seeing
a head injury may cause you to overlook other injuries that need attention.
If the person loses consciousness at any time after being
injured.
If double vision or speech difficulty persists after the
first minute.
If weakness or numbness occurs on one side of the body.
If blood or clear fluid drains from the ears or nose following
a blow to the head (not due to a cut or direct blow to the nose).
If the person is confused or does not remember being injured.
If the person develops a severe headache.
If vomiting occurs after the first
2 hours or violent vomiting persists after the first 15 minutes.
If the person has seizures or convulsions.
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