What To Do If My Child Hits His Head?

A blow to the head of our son can cause us a lot of nerves. Everyone knows that a blow in that area can have consequences, especially if it is very severe. So the first thing you should do in any emergency situation is stay calm to act fast and well.

Levels of blows to the head

Blows or trauma to the head are assessed on three levels, the first being the least serious. In the first degree the person is conscious, responds to his name, or responds to external stimuli.

In second-degree blow, the patient may have mild or eventual amnesia, appear somewhat disoriented, dazed from the blow, and with probable external or internal injury.

The third degree is more serious, the person is unconscious, does not respond to stimuli and his life is at risk for which he deserves immediate attention but in charge of specialists, even from his transfer to avoid fatal consequences.

In case of blows to the head, if there is a loss of consciousness, do not move the child. If you are conscious it is recommended to avoid moving. Check the head for wounds or any bleeding. It is very important to pay attention to the following warning signs: changes in attitude, drowsiness, aggressiveness, vomiting or loss of balance.

What to do when faced with a blow to the head

If it is a mild blow, it is best to apply ice or cold water compresses to the area to avoid swelling for about 30 to 60 minutes. If it causes a headache, you can give the child a pain reliever. If the swelling of the blow does not decrease, but increases, go to a medical center.

On the other hand, if it is a cranial contusion, which is a strong trauma to the head caused by a blow, you should apply ice to the area, never directly on the skin.

If your injured child is semi-conscious, vomits or becomes dizzy, you should go to a medical center. If a cut has been made, wash the wound with water and stop the bleeding by pressing down with a compress and applying ice. If the wound is deep, go to a medical center to have it sutured.

Never leave the child alone or move him more than enough. If you lose consciousness, write down the time it happened and when you regained it.

Recommendations of the International Red Cross

As a general guideline after a fall, if the victim manifests marked pain in a specific area, and / or you observe an obvious deformity in it, do not force him to move or stand up (if he cannot do it himself).

Keep the affected area at rest, without moving it, apply cold locally (ice wrapped in a compress) to calm the pain, and depending on the intensity of it, consider the need to ask for help from the emergency number, so that they are the ones who value it. the possible severity of the injury.

If after a blow to the head the person bleeds from the ear, vomits or loses consciousness, ask for help as soon as possible : call the emergency number.

Prevention measures

Although no one is exempt from suffering an accident such as receiving a blow to the head, the International Red Cross, through its website, offers some advice to consider.

• Try to always have good lighting at home: you will avoid a good number of trips and unnecessary falls.
• Do not leave objects smaller than 3 centimeters within the reach of a small child. To access high places, use stable ladders. Stools can be dangerous.
• Put some non-slip material on the floor of the bathtub if you notice that it is not “stable” enough.
• To clean the floors, use products that do not make them a slippery surface, such as polishes or waxes.
• Avoid letting your child step on wet floors.
• Never leave a small child alone on a raised surface: changing tables, high chairs, counters, stools …
• Place high railings or security closures in dangerous places such as windows, stairs, balconies …
• The “order” in the house is of great help to prevent accidents: it accustoms children to learn to pick up their toys, once they have finished playing.