Head injuries

Most head injuries involve simple cuts and bruises and do not need medical treatment. On the other hand, a severe head injury is life- threatening. Common causes of head injuries are car or motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, and falls around the house. Babies that are shaken are at risk for internal head injuries.

A neck injury may be present with a serious head injury. The injured person should not be moved unless that person is not breathing or is in danger if left in place.

Call 911 if any of the following symptoms exist:

• there is a change in the level of consciousness (such as confusion, drowsiness, or temporary loss of consciousness)
• there is no breathing or pulse (CPR may be needed)
• the injured person cannot move his arms or legs

What to do right after a head injury when the person is conscious:

• send for medical help
• move the person out of harm's way only if more danger threatens, taking care to stabilize the neck in a neutral position with respect to the head
• control bleeding by covering the wound and applying pressure
• lay the person down
• apply ice or cold packs to injuries

Acute injuries of the head include concussion, contusion, blood collection, and fracture. A concussion results from a hard blow or fall that results in temporary loss of consciousness. Loss of memory, dizziness, and vomiting may occur. Shock and partial paralysis may also develop. A contusion is a bruise on the brain. This causes the brain tissues to swell. The swelling may be from blood or other fluids.

A blood collection is a clot that forms from a ruptured blood vessel inside or outside the brain. Symptoms begin from an hour to several weeks or more after a blow to the head. Pressure on the brain may build to produce headache, nausea, vomiting, alteration of consciousness, and pupils of unequal size. Death can occur if this is not treated.

A fracture is a crack or break in the skull. Signs of fracture include bruising around the ears or eyes, drainage of fluids from the ears or nose, unequal size of pupils, and skull deformity.

If any of these signs are present in an individual who has had a head injury, call 911.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File SPOR3338.rf2 VRS# 7536 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1999 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.