How to anoint a child’s head bruise. A child hit his head: what to look for, which doctor to contact

One of the most dangerous injuries is a head contusion - a violation of the integrity of the skin of the skull, accompanied by the formation of areas of tissue necrosis of varying degrees. This damage poses the greatest danger to children.

Symptoms and signs

A large percentage of head injuries occur due to falls. Alcohol intoxication is often a contributing factor. Other causes of head injuries:

  • accidents;
  • injuries at work;
  • sports injuries;
  • domestic injuries;
  • criminal incidents;
  • injuries received during mentally unstable conditions (epileptic shock, etc.).

Syndromes characterizing head contusions:

  1. General cerebral - the brain’s reaction to the injury;
  2. Local - depends on the damaged area (the most serious injuries in which the medulla oblongata is affected);
  3. Meningeal - irritation of the meninges.

The first type of syndrome includes the following symptoms:

  • Headaches of a diffuse nature;
  • General weakness;
  • Dizziness;
  • Cloudiness or loss of consciousness;
  • Weakening or loss of memory;
  • Nausea, vomiting (with parallel injury to the skull bones).

Memory loss occurs in the vast majority of cases. The memorization process involves the parietal, occipital, temporal lobes and other parts of the brain. Therefore, difficulties in reproducing any events to the victim indicate pathological disorders in these segments of the brain.

With local symptoms, it becomes possible to determine in which lobe of the brain the lesion is located. Thus, when the back of the head is bruised, visual impairment is observed. When the frontal part of the head is bruised, a characteristic picture is observed:

  1. Loss of consciousness is replaced by sudden motor activity;
  2. Clouding of consciousness;
  3. Unreasonable aggression;
  4. State of euphoria, etc.

Meningeal symptoms may indicate severe brain damage. These include:

  • Intense headaches;
  • Tension of the muscles of the occipital part of the head and back;
  • Constant nausea, vomiting that does not provide relief.

Head contusions are conventionally divided into 3 degrees depending on the nature of the injury, the severity of the victim’s condition and further prognosis:

1. Minor bruise:

  • Brief loss of consciousness;
  • General cerebral symptoms predominate over local ones;
  • The return to normal occurs without the use of any methods;
  • Unconscious movement of the eyeballs, different pupil sizes;
  • Reduced sensitivity and activity of the half of the body opposite to that on which the damage occurred;
  • Gradual relief of symptoms over several weeks without residual changes.

2. Moderate bruise:

  • Loss of consciousness for several hours;
  • The mind is confused for a long time (maximum up to a day);
  • Average severity of cerebral symptoms;
  • Manifestations of meningeal syndrome are observed;
  • Focal symptoms are loss of speech, sensitivity, increased breathing, etc.

3. A severe injury is a serious threat to life. May be accompanied by a coma that lasts for several days. Other characteristic symptoms:

  • Complete amnesia (the victim does not remember anything that preceded the injury);
  • Visual impairment;
  • Motor anxiety;
  • Increased excitability, etc.

4. Contusion of soft tissues of the head:

  • The appearance of a swelling or lump at the site of the injury;
  • Bruising or bleeding;
  • Rarely fever;
  • Bleeding from the nose.

What is the difference between a concussion and a head injury?

It is necessary to distinguish a head contusion from a concussion. The most common form of head injury from impact is concussion. External symptoms are often similar to those of a bruise, but they do not last long. For example, loss of consciousness during a concussion lasts several minutes, while with a bruise (especially in its severe forms), a coma sometimes lasts up to several weeks.

A concussion occurs without damaging the bones of the skull, without disturbing the heart rhythm and respiratory function. With a bruise, all these symptoms are observed and expressed quite clearly and are accompanied by increased anxiety, as well as attacks of aggression. An accurate diagnosis can only be made based on an analysis of the results of a radiograph performed in two projections and computed tomography.

First aid: what to do

Before the ambulance arrives, the following actions must be taken:

  1. Apply cold to the site of the injury (only on the first day after the injury);
  2. The victim must be put to bed for several hours to prevent another fall as a result of weakness;
  3. The patient should not drink or eat for several hours after the incident;
  4. If there are bruises, bleeding or hematoma, you will need a pressure bandage;
  5. Warm alcohol compresses for resolving hematomas can be applied on the second day after the incident;
  6. Deliver the patient to a trauma clinic.

First aid can be provided by any person at the scene of the incident, but these actions do not exclude seeking medical help. This is especially true for young children, whose symptoms are mild and differ from the symptoms of adults.

Often childhood injuries are accompanied by bruised head wounds. Only an experienced specialist will conduct the necessary examinations and make an accurate diagnosis, on the basis of which treatment will be prescribed.

When soft tissue is bruised, lumps (subcutaneous hematomas) often form. They rise above the rest of the scalp and have clear outlines.

Treatment of soft tissue bruises is usually done conservatively. If the size of the hematoma is too large, then it is necessary to puncture it with a thick needle and pump out the blood.

How long to keep cold

Cooling the damaged area helps reduce pain, hemorrhage and stops swelling from increasing. The compress should be kept for several hours, changing it to a new one as it warms up (every 20 minutes).

Which doctor should I contact?

A skull injury of any severity should be taken very seriously, and even with minor signs of a concussion or bruise, immediately seek help from a neurologist, traumatologist, and sometimes even a neurosurgeon.

Treatment at home

Self-medication for a head injury is unacceptable. Medicines should only be taken under the supervision of a physician. Medicines in the form of tablets and injections that are prescribed to treat and relieve symptoms:

  • Analgesics;
  • Drugs to normalize the functioning of the autonomic nervous system;
  • Sleeping pills;
  • Nootropic drugs to prevent the consequences of a bruise and normalize brain function;
  • Diuretics;
  • Anticonvulsants.

Local application of various ointments to the area of ​​the bruise is recommended, restoring tissue, strengthening the walls of blood vessels, relieving swelling and promoting the resorption of blood clots. During the rehabilitation period, on the recommendation of a doctor, you can use physiotherapy (for example, the Darsonval apparatus), as well as folk remedies.

A head injury is an injury that often occurs in everyday life. At first glance, it seems quite simple, but everything can turn out to be much more serious. The main danger lies in the fact that a bruise of the soft tissues of the head is a closed type injury, in which the skin is not affected. Sometimes damage to the integrity of the skin is also observed. In any case, such damage is often combined with other injuries - a skull fracture, a concussion, which can have dangerous consequences.

The danger also lies in the possibility of the formation of an extensive hematoma. It will put severe pressure on the brain, which may result in unforeseen consequences, including severe brain damage. Therefore, consultation with a specialist and proper treatment are extremely important.

The head has different lobes, which allows the injury to be classified:

  • Bruised forehead.
  • Contusion of the back of the head.
  • Bruised temple.
  • Damage to the parietal lobe, vault, or base of the skull.

In most cases, damage occurs to the occipital or frontal lobe. Injury to the parietal region is less common. Damage to the temporal part occurs least often. The most rare and at the same time complex cases are when there is extensive damage that covers several head lobes.

Depending on the severity of the injury, the bruise is classified as follows:

  • Minor injury.
  • Damage involving loss of skin integrity.
  • Jaw injuries.
  • Lesions of the skull and brain.

Trauma code according to ICD 10

According to the international classification of diseases ICD 10, the classifier code is included in S00-S09. The specific classifier depends on the severity of the damage. Code S00 - superficial, which does not include contusions of the brain, injuries to the orbits and to the face.

An open head wound belongs to S01, – S02. Other unspecified wounds of the scalp correspond to classification S09.

Causes

A head injury in a child or an adult can occur for various reasons. The most common injury to the head is a fall. But there are also other causes of bruised wounds in adults:

  • Impact with a blunt object.
  • Domestic fight.
  • During sports competitions and training.
  • During wrestling or martial arts.
  • In the process of work.
  • Due to a traffic accident.

A bruise to the forehead or back of the head in a child usually occurs during a fall, a sharp collision with other objects, or during active games. In a newborn baby, a bruise occurs due to insufficient adult supervision. Often, the baby can be hit on the back of the head when placed on the changing table. An active baby may accidentally fall and hit his forehead, for example, by rolling off a sofa or falling out of a stroller. Children should not be left unattended, as there is a high risk of bruising the occipital region, bumps on the forehead, and other types of injuries.

Symptoms

A bruise of the soft tissues of the head necessarily requires examination and comprehensive treatment by a specialist. The latter directly depends on the symptoms, and they, in turn, are determined by the type of injury and the degree of damage.

The main features include:

  • Painful sensations. Their cause is vasospasm.
  • The appearance or bruising of a hematoma on the head after a bruise.
  • Bleeding from the nose.
  • Increase in temperature for a short period of time.
  • Feeling of weakness in the arms.
  • As a result of a head injury, adolescents and adults may experience nausea and vomiting.
  • Dizziness.
  • Cloudiness in the head without loss of consciousness.
  • Complete loss of consciousness, fainting.
  • Movement violation.
  • Bruising caused by a lump.
  • Decreased pressure.

Many people believe that a bump from a bruise will go away on its own, ignoring a visit to a specialist. This leads to serious consequences, including hallucinations and memory loss. A person may begin to hear voices, and there is also a high likelihood of other symptoms appearing. Common symptoms of a soft tissue injury include pain, bumps, and bruising. If they appear, you should promptly seek the advice of a specialist.

First aid

head in adults and children is an opportunity to exclude further complications. However, everything must be done correctly so as not to harm the person. So, help with a head injury involves doing the following:

  • A tight bandage is applied to the head. It helps prevent the occurrence of hematoma.
  • They impose. Many people have a question about how long to keep the cold - no more than 10-15 minutes. Then, during the first day, you should systematically repeat the procedure to relieve pain and prevent the growth of the hematoma.
  • If there are open wounds, they are treated with antiseptic treatment using hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine to stop the bleeding. You don't have to use brilliant green or iodine.

Remember that if children have bruises on their heads, you should get help as quickly as possible. You should not scold your child, it is better to calm him down and subsequently have a conversation regarding accuracy in the gameplay.

What to do if you have a head injury

It is important for people to learn what to do if they have a head injury. Simple rules will help reduce pain and speed up recovery. Initially, first aid is provided after a head injury in an adult or child. After this, the victim should get to a medical facility for diagnosis, diagnosis and competent treatment. The following actions are further recommended:

  • The ice compress should be repeated during the first 24 hours. It is held for up to 10 minutes every 2-3 hours. This allows you to reduce pain and avoid the appearance of extensive bruises. A cold compress is applied directly to the injured area without strong pressure.
  • When you have a severe head injury, you may experience a headache that does not go away. Then you can have a drink. It is important to understand that in the presence of subcutaneous hemorrhage, the use of aspirin is not allowed. It tends to impair blood clotting, resulting in hematoma growth.
  • After 2-3 days, you can warm up using warm lotions, heating pads or compresses. This will help the swelling resolve more quickly. On the first day, warming up is not permissible, as there is a possibility of developing an inflammatory process.
  • If a crust appears at the site of the abrasion, do not rip it off. There is a possibility that a scar will remain.
  • To make the injury stop bothering you faster, you can use gels, creams and ointments. It is best to discuss this with your doctor. The use of such medications also eliminates the formation of a crust.

Diagnosis and treatment

A severe head injury suggests that you definitely need to make an appointment with a specialist to undergo an examination. It is important for damage to the temporal, parietal, frontal and occipital lobes. The result is confirmation or refutation of serious diagnoses, for example, concussion. Many people are concerned about which doctor to contact with such injuries. Diagnosis and treatment are carried out by a traumatologist; a consultation with a neurologist may also be necessary.

The main diagnostic methods include:

  • Radiography. It allows you to see if there is a violation of the integrity of the cranial bones
  • Magnetic resonance imaging, which allows us to evaluate changes in brain structure and the depth of the hematoma.
  • X-ray of the cervical spine. It is necessary in cases where there is a risk of vertebral displacement.

Treatment is usually carried out by two methods - conservative and surgical. The doctor selects the specific one. Surgical treatment is indicated in cases where the internal diameter of the hematoma exceeds 4 cm, as well as in cases of pronounced intracranial hypertension, if the displacement of brain structures exceeds 5 mm. Conservative treatment is based on the specialist's prescription of diuretics, anticonvulsant pills, infusion and oxygen therapy, as well as taking antihypoxants.

The following medications may be prescribed:

  • Drugs that normalize the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.
  • Analgesics.
  • Sleeping pills.
  • Nootropic drugs that normalize brain function. They are usually prescribed as prophylactics.

To increase the rate of hematoma resorption, doctors recommend using gels, creams, and ointments for bruises. At the same time, if you are interested in how to remove a hematoma on the forehead, you should proceed as follows: on the first day, apply cold for up to 10 minutes every few hours, on the second day, warm it up, and also begin to lubricate the damaged area with special ointments.

How to treat a head injury

When wondering how to treat a head injury, it is important to understand that the process depends on the severity of the injury. It is quite possible if it is a minor injury. Often it comes down to the following:

  • For the first few days, the victim is recommended to rest in bed. You should only get out of bed when necessary.
  • If the injury is localized to the right, you should rest on your left side and vice versa.
  • It is important to completely avoid physical activity for the next few weeks. If this is not possible, you should limit them.
  • During the recovery period, you should minimize watching TV and working on the computer.
  • It is necessary to spend more time in the fresh air 2-3 days after the injury.
  • You should strictly follow your doctor's recommendations.

Additionally, you can use folk remedies, which usually help speed up the healing process. Among the recipes are the following:

  • Saline 3% solution. Natural fabric is soaked in the liquid and placed in the freezer for 4-5 hours. Before applying the compress, the fabric is soaked in water to soften it. The procedure lasts up to 10 minutes.
  • Composition with iodine and alcohol. Alcohol can be replaced with vodka. The ingredients are mixed in equal proportions. The fabric is dipped into the resulting composition and applied to the damaged area.
  • Crystal camphor and water. The composition includes 10 grams of camphor and half a liter of water. The solution is infused at room temperature, and it is recommended to shake the product periodically. Application is possible only after complete dissolution. The mixture is moistened with a cloth and applied to the bruise site for up to 60 minutes.
  • Potato starch. It is mixed with water until it becomes a paste. After this, it is applied to the injured area.

Some also use more unconventional methods of treatment, for example, leeches. Before starting to use folk remedies, it is best to consult with a specialist so as not to cause harm.

Complications and consequences

A bruise to the back of the head or any other part of the head can have serious consequences. They are observed with strong impacts, incorrect or untimely assistance from specialists. The most common ones include:

  • Depressive states.
  • Deterioration in working capacity. The main reason for this is traumatic asthenia.
  • Inability to concentrate.
  • Frequent insomnia.
  • Problems remembering information.
  • An acute reaction of the body to changing weather.
  • Increased irritability.
  • Frequent migraines and headaches.

It is important to understand that the consequences after a bruise may not appear immediately, but after a couple of weeks or months. This is where the main danger lies from a blow to the frontal, parietal, occipital and temporal parts.

It is very easy to get a head injury. In many cases the injury is minor. However, if there is at least one warning symptom, you should seek the help of a specialist.

Dear readers of the 1MedHelp website, if you still have questions on this topic, we will be happy to answer them. Leave your reviews, comments, share stories of how you experienced a similar trauma and successfully dealt with the consequences! Your life experience may be useful to other readers.

Unfortunately, no one is insured against accidental injury, whether at home or at work. Even just walking down the street, a person can slip and fall. Or hit your forehead against the doorway while getting out of the minibus. It’s good if the incident goes without consequences, limiting itself to temporary unpleasant sensations. Having a headache after a blow is quite natural. You can help yourself with simple home methods. But if the pain does not go away for a long time, or symptoms of a concussion appear, you should consult a doctor.

After receiving an injury, you need to pay attention to the nature of the pain in your head. You need to worry in the following cases:

  1. The headache lasts for a very long time after the blow, and the syndrome does not go away for several days.
  2. The pain is so severe that even analgesics do not help.
  3. The pulsation clearly radiates to the temple or causes tinnitus.
  4. The neck becomes stiff or there is difficulty turning it to the sides.

Signs that accompany a headache may indicate a concussion:

  • dizziness;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • darkening of the eyes;
  • new blurred vision;
  • incoherent speech;
  • nausea and frequent vomiting;
  • severe weakness;
  • bruises under the eyes.

With a concussion, a person may experience hallucinations, convulsions, and spatial disorientation. Coordination of movements is often impaired, increased irritability and an acute reaction to bright light or loud sound appear.

If a person loses consciousness, but wakes up and feels fine, you still need to see a doctor and get examined. After an injury, there is a danger of hematoma formation, vascular ruptures, inflammation and cerebrospinal fluid accumulation.

It is imperative to visit the hospital if you are hit on the temple with a heavy object. The consequences can be very serious, sometimes irreversible, if surgical treatment is not started.

Situations in which the neck or back were injured are dangerous. Damaged or displaced vertebrae can compress the blood vessels supplying blood to the head and cause severe pain.

First aid

If the blow was strong, immediately after the injury, before the ambulance arrives, you can provide the following assistance to the victim:

  1. Place the person on their side or so that the shoulders and head are slightly elevated. This will prevent a situation in which the victim may choke on vomit.
  2. Make sure that the person does not move. The neck should be in one position and not rotate.
  3. If your temple has been damaged, you need to carefully apply something cold, but under no circumstances press on the injured area. The same goes for bumps and spreading bruises.

If there are bleeding abrasions, it is advisable to treat them with a solution of furatsilin or hydrogen peroxide.

Drug treatment

Headaches can be relieved with one of the following medications:

  • paracetamol;
  • Unispasm.

If the pain continues to torment, you need to be examined in a hospital. There may be serious damage that is difficult to diagnose on your own. For example, in order to avoid the onset of inflammatory processes, a specialist will prescribe treatment with antibacterial drugs.

  1. Improving metabolism between brain cells with piracetam. The drug helps cope with severe headaches and dizziness.
  2. Strengthening the walls of blood vessels with ascorutin.
  3. Prevention of swelling in the brain with high blood pressure by taking aminophylline.
  4. Restoring normal blood circulation with ethamsylate.

How to relieve headaches at home?

After an injury, even a minor one, you may experience a headache for some time. Sometimes it is enough to drink warm mint tea with honey and sleep to get rid of unpleasant sensations.

It’s good to take a relaxing bath with essential oils before bed:

  • lavender;
  • pink;
  • eucalyptus, etc.

Aromatherapy can also be organized in another way: add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water and place the dishes near the head of the head.

Immediately after the incident, it is advisable to apply a cold compress to the site of the impact. Ice cubes or food from the freezer wrapped in a scarf are suitable for this purpose. You can use white cabbage leaves taken from the refrigerator.

A light massage that kneads the temples, forehead, back of the head and neck has a calming effect.

After a head injury as a result of a blow, a compress of raw potatoes has a soothing effect. One large peeled tuber is grated on a fine grater. The pulp is wrapped in gauze and placed on the forehead. You need to lie down, completely relaxed, for about twenty minutes.

Vegetable drinks taken on an empty stomach help cope well with headaches:

  • potato broth, slightly salted;
  • tomato juice with the addition of a small amount of crushed garlic;
  • juice from raw beets, half and half with carrots;
  • a cocktail of broccoli, parsley and sorrel, prepared in a blender and beaten with one raw egg.

If after a stroke your blood pressure has increased significantly, you need to drink decoctions of motherwort or St. John's wort.

When a head is injured, the brain is the first to suffer.
And it is a whole system responsible for many functions in the body, so it should be protected from, which protects such an important organ for us.

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Signs of severe injury


Symptoms and signs:

  • nausea, vomiting;
  • dizziness, weakness;
  • instant loss of consciousness;
  • increasing pain.

If there are no open wounds and visible damage to the skin, this does not mean that a severe bruise could not provoke a fracture of the skull. Diagnosing the presence of a fracture is extremely difficult; this requires the help of a doctor and an x-ray; only after a comprehensive diagnosis can a final diagnosis be made and treatment prescribed.

The consequences of a severe injury may begin to appear after a few days, so you need to be attentive to any changes that occur in your well-being.

How can I help you

A head contusion in the occipital region is characterized by the same symptoms.

You need to be able to treat a contusion of the back of the head:

  • Use a cold compress (apply ice previously wrapped in a cloth or a cold bottle of water). Hold at the site of damage for 10-15 minutes and, after 30 minutes, repeat the compress again.
  • Ensure complete rest; in case of nausea or vomiting, turn on side.
  • Call an ambulance and monitor the condition of the victim. It is not recommended to give until the ambulance arrives.

Symptoms

A head injury, like any traumatic brain injury, leads to consequences if appropriate measures are not taken in time.

Depending on the severity of the injury, symptoms may vary:

  • Headache.
  • Formation of a lump or swelling.
  • Temperature increase.
  • Nausea, vomiting.
  • Nosebleeds.
  • Deterioration of vision.
  • Weakness in the limbs.
  • Confusion or loss of consciousness.

It is necessary to contact a medical institution - be sure to call an ambulance.

If you assess your health as good, then you can limit yourself to a cold compress, apply ointment and ensure rest. If your health worsens, you should consult a doctor.

Children under one year of age are at risk because their skulls are not yet fully formed.

Parents should not leave their children unattended and make sure that the baby does not fall off the changing table or suddenly fall out of the stroller.

Children of preschool and school age need to be taught how to behave in public places, playgrounds, and roads in order to prevent accidents.

If, nevertheless, the child is injured, then it is necessary to provide first aid, ensure peace and take him to the emergency room (for minor injuries), or call a team of doctors.

After the examination, take pills and medications prescribed by your doctor.

Video

Basic steps

A hematoma is a hemorrhage in which blood accumulates in the tissues and does not flow out. is a consequence of a head injury, it is important to quickly approach the correct treatment.

Treatment is carried out through surgery; incomplete removal of the hematoma leads to consequences - in the worst case, death.

Only a doctor can prescribe and select treatment.

At home, immediately after a minor bruise, apply a cold compress for 10-15 minutes to the site of the impact and apply a compressive bandage. This will block the bleeding vessels and stop the hemorrhage.

We treat at home

A clay compress is used for treatment:

  1. You can buy ready-made clay in pharmacies, take a cloth (cotton), put film or cellophane under it, and it is also recommended to put something on the clay.
  2. The compress can be left for 2 hours, applied 2-3 times during the day.
  3. The same piece of clay can be used many times, by first moistening it before the procedure.

Using salt:

  1. To do this, you will need to dilute 10 grams of salt in 1/2 glass of water, put a gauze bandage there, and wait until it is completely saturated.
  2. Then take a bandage and apply it to the bruise, securing it with a bandage or any other fabric.

Possible consequences

The reaction and consequences may vary from person to person.

A number of bruises can end happily, up to the complete recovery of the victim, but there are cases when minor bruises can cause serious harm to health.

It is extremely difficult for older people and young children to recover from injuries (even minor ones), so they are at particular risk and require close attention from doctors providing medical care.

The disorders that arise after injury are very diverse. Here we can distinguish both acute disorders (observed immediately after brain damage) and long-term disorders (manifest over time). The consequences can be very dangerous and may not appear immediately after the injury occurs.

Most often, the consequence of a bruise is a traumatic brain injury, which carries a number of complications.

Even an experienced doctor cannot accurately determine the outcome of the injury. It is necessary to remain calm for several weeks, not to be nervous and monitor your health, since the slightest changes in the functioning of the body can be a consequence of a head injury.

Consequences:

  1. Mental disorders (from memory impairment, sleep disturbances to severe fatigue).
  2. Impaired vision and sensitivity.
  3. Movement violation.

After suffering severe head injuries, patients are advised to see a doctor monthly to prevent the development of serious problems.

By following your doctor's recommendations and undergoing proper treatment, you can improve your health, however, after numerous head injuries, no doctor can guarantee that previously unexposed complications and symptoms may not appear in the future.

You should be attentive to your health, pay special attention to children under one year of age and not leave them unattended in crowded places and on playgrounds, where the child can cause serious injury to himself.

Diagnostics

Diagnostics is carried out comprehensively:

  1. X-ray (to exclude fractures and identify local lesions in the brain).
  2. Spinal puncture (increased number of red blood cells is determined).
  3. Computed tomography (with its help, not only the site of the injury is identified, but also the therapeutic reserve zone - edema, ischemia).

The Glasgow scale helps determine the degree of consciousness impairment. Depending on the score, therapeutic measures and further prognosis are planned.

According to the international classification of diseases ICD 10, the classifier code is included in S00-S09. The specific classifier depends on the severity of the damage. Code S00 - superficial head injuries, which does not include contusions of the brain, damage to the orbits and eyes on the face.

An open head wound is classified as S01, and a skull fracture is classified as S02. Other unspecified wounds of the scalp correspond to classification S09.

What to do if you have a head injury

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Minor household injuries are a common occurrence in the daily life of an active person. However, when it comes to head injuries, the situation may not be so simple. Any blow to the head is fraught with serious consequences and requires immediate medical attention. It is especially dangerous if a child’s head is bruised. Children are very susceptible to such injuries due to activities in kindergarten, school or at home. But you can independently alleviate the condition of the victim before the doctor arrives, and after medical care you can help the patient recover faster.

Symptoms of bruises can be very diverse and directly depend on the severity of the injury. Today, there are two types of bruises: severe head contusion and soft tissue contusion of the head. With a small blow that damages the tissues of the head, the following symptoms appear:

  • sharp pain immediately after the blow;
  • small hematoma or lump;
  • increased temperature at the site of injury;
  • superficial abrasions;
  • minor hemorrhage.
In principle, such a bruise will not cause much harm, but you should still contact a traumatologist. This is especially true for children who have injured their heads. The symptoms may seem the most innocent, while such a serious pathology as a hematoma in the brain will not manifest itself in any way.
Sometimes, after a head injury, an adult decides not to see a doctor. He believes that everything will go away on its own and will not affect his future life in any way. However, some symptoms should immediately alert him and others. They may indicate serious skull injuries or even brain damage and require immediate treatment. If even one of the following symptoms appears, you should immediately call an ambulance or go to the nearest emergency room.
  • nose bleed;
  • weakness in the limbs;
  • loss of consciousness;
  • bruising around the eyes;
  • a widespread headache that does not go away;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • movement coordination is impaired;
  • bleeding from the wound for more than 15 minutes;
  • dizziness;
  • noise in ears;
  • blurred vision after trauma to the occipital part of the head;
  • pupils of different sizes.

Emergency help

Treatment for such an injury depends on the type of injury. For example, if only soft tissue is damaged, home remedies may help. The same cannot be said about a severe head injury.

Help with soft tissue bruises

The first treatment should include the following:
  1. Apply a tight-fitting bandage. It will help protect against subcutaneous hemorrhage.
  2. Apply cold ice to the bump on the first day of injury. Thanks to such actions, the hematoma will not increase. You can apply cold compresses to relieve pain.
  3. If there has been any damage to the skin, the wound should be treated with an antimicrobial agent. Instead of strongly coloring drugs such as brilliant green or iodine, it is enough to use hydrogen peroxide or a solution of Chlorhexidine.
  4. Apply warm lotions to the bump from the second day. They will help the swelling to resolve as quickly as possible.
  5. For quick treatment of hematomas and abrasions, you can use any means for wound healing.
  6. When the head injury was on the forehead, it is important not to rip off the resulting crust. Otherwise, a scar may appear. If the injury was in a child, you can lubricate the wound with a skin softening agent so that a crust does not form and cannot be torn off.
In this case, it is not necessary to call an ambulance, but you should consult a doctor within the next week. Bruises can form in the brain, which can cause harm in the future.

Help for severe injuries

After a severe injury, a person most often loses consciousness, begins to feel nauseous or has a nosebleed. In this case, it is important to act quickly, because dire consequences, even death, are possible.
  1. The first thing you need is to urgently call an ambulance.
  2. If possible and the person feels relatively well, you can take him to the nearest emergency room yourself.
  3. While waiting for the doctor to arrive, you should place the victim on the bed, without a pillow, and ensure rest. If a person is vomiting, they should be placed sideways on the bed.
  4. Apply a cold compress to the hematoma.
  5. Water and food cannot be given.
  6. It is strictly forbidden to give injections of any medications without the knowledge of doctors.
The patient, even in the absence of open wounds, may have a fracture of the bones and skull vault. Only a doctor can diagnose them and prescribe treatment using x-rays. If a person has a bruise or concussion, they must immediately go to the hospital.
In case of a child's head injury, an ambulance must be called. The baby should be placed on the bed and given rest. However, you should not let your child fall asleep in the first hour after the injury in order to understand the severity of the condition. You should not leave a sleeping baby until the ambulance arrives, especially if symptoms of a severe bruise appear. In his sleep, he may begin to vomit and, if the child is lying on his back, he will choke on it. When vomiting begins, the baby should be carefully turned to its side. You can apply cold packs to dull the pain a little. This is the only pain reliever that you can use on your own.

Consequences of injury

With a minor injury, the first external signs of injury disappear in a short time. This is due to the fact that there is always good blood circulation in the head area. Tissue regeneration proceeds faster, and hematomas and abrasions resolve. However, the consequences of even a minor injury can have negative consequences in the future. They won't necessarily appear right away. Sometimes the consequences of hitting a child's head in early childhood appear in people as adults, even 20 years after the incident. If the injury was severe, after treatment sometimes there is constant fatigue, systematic headaches and memory impairment. The condition does not improve immediately. Sometimes recovery takes several years. The older the person, the worse the recovery, even if there was a bruise of the soft tissues of the head. In old age, bruises can even cause disability.
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