Minor Head Injury: How to Care for Your Child

Most childhood falls or blows to the head cause only minor bruises or cuts to the scalp. If the skin is cut, you'll see bleeding. If the skin isn't cut, the blood will cause a swelling or bruise, sometimes called a "goose egg," which may take days or weeks to disappear. Lasting problems from minor head injuries in children are very rare. After a head injury, kids and teens may vomit (throw up), feel sick to the stomach, or have dizziness during the first few hours. This usually lasts a short time and kids return to normal quickly.

• Apply an ice pack or instant cold pack (wrapped in a washcloth or sock) to the injured area for up to 20 minutes every 3–4 hours for the first 1–2 days, or as directed by the health care professional.

• Offer clear liquids, ice pops, or gelatin if your child feels sick to the stomach or has vomited.

• If your child has a headache, pain medicine may help:

  • You can give acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) for pain if your health care provider says it's OK. Do not give ibuprofen (such as Advil® or Motrin®) unless the health care professional tells you it's OK.

• Let your child sleep. There's no need to keep a child awake after a minor head injury. After some types of head injuries, health care providers will advise checking children during sleep. If so, check to see that your child's breathing and skin color look normal. Touch your child to see that he or she responds like usual.

• If your child has a head wound, follow the instructions for washing your child's hair and/or changing the bandages.

Your child:

• is very cranky

• becomes very sleepy

• complains of dizziness

• becomes restless or confused

• complains of head or neck pain and stiffness

• vomits more than once

Your child:

• develops a severe or worsening headache

• isn't speaking clearly

• is stumbling or not walking normally

If your child is hard to wake up, passes out, or has a seizure, call 911.

Do children with a minor head injury need X-rays or a CT scan? No, most children with a minor head injury don't need X-rays or CT scans. The health care provider examined your child carefully and didn't find any cause for concern.

Does swelling of the scalp mean that there is swelling of the brain? No, swelling of the scalp does not mean there is any swelling of the brain. The skull bone separates the scalp from the brain and protects it from injury.