Vomiting Having pupils of unequal size Being dizzy, confused, or agitated Being unconscious Seeming drowsy Having neck pain Having slurred or difficult speech Having trouble walking Having seizures
To check for mental awareness, ask the person their name, what day it is, how many fingers you’re holding up, and if they remember what just happened. If they are unconscious, check their airways, breathing, and circulation to make sure they’re breathing, and immediately call emergency services.
If the head wound is severe, or you believe the person has neck or back damage, don’t move them unless necessary.
You can use a bag of frozen vegetables if you don’t have an ice pack or ice available.
If at all possible, keep your hands away from the wound. Only touch the wound with the towel to avoid transferring bacteria into the wound. If you believe there is a serious injury, don’t move the person’s head or remove the debris from the head. Wait for emergency services to arrive.
If the person throws up, carefully turn them on their side, making sure their head and neck do not twist. Clear their mouth of debris so they do not choke on their vomit. If at any time the person stops breathing or has no pulse, begin CPR. Continue until emergency personnel arrive.
Physical rest means refraining from physical activity and exertion. A person should not get involved in any sports or any vigorous activity until their symptoms are gone or their physician clears them. Mental rest means not engaging in thinking, reading, using the computer, watching TV, texting, schoolwork, or any activities that require concentration. Do not drive or operate machinery or tools.
Avoid ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB), aspirin, and Naproxen (Aleve). These pain relievers can increase internal bleeding. [9] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
If an ice pack is not available, a bag of frozen vegetables can be used. Ice packs can help with the inner headache as well.
Headache or a sense of pressure in head Nausea or vomiting Dizziness or loss of balance Double or blurry vision Sensitivity to light or noise A sense of feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy Confusion, or concentration or memory problems like amnesia of the event General sense of not feeling right Seeming dazed, stunned, confused, forgetful, and moving clumsily Loss of consciousness Slow to answer questions Mood, personality, or behavior changes
Concentration or memory problems Irritability and other personality changes Sensitivity to light and noise Sleep disturbances, such as not being able to go to sleep, difficulty staying asleep, or not being able to wake up Psychological adjustment problems and depression Disorders of taste and smell
A dazed or confused appearance Listlessness Easily tired Irritability Loss of balance and unsteady walking Excessive crying with nothing working to soothe the child Any change in eating or sleeping patterns A sudden lack of interest in favorite toys
Repeated vomiting Any loss of consciousness that lasts longer than 30 seconds A worsening headache Sudden changes in behavior, the ability to walk, like sudden stumbling, falling or dropping objects, or thinking ability Confusion or disorientation, like not recognizing people or surroundings Slurred speech or other changes in speech Seizures or uncontrolled tremors Vision or eye disturbances, like pupils of unequal sizes or very large, dilated pupils Dizziness that doesn’t get any better Any symptoms that get worse Large bumps or bruises on the head (other than the forehead) in children, especially in infants under 12 months of age
