Your child has been treated for a Head Injury. They have been thoroughly examined and are now considered fit to be discharged. The following will aid their recovery.
Care Instructions for your Childs Head Injury
The following advice should help your child get better more quickly but it is important that a responsible adult stays with your child for the first 24 hours:
FOR A BABY
You should:
- Give them their normal feeds
- Ensure you can wake them as easily as normal
FOR A TODDLER
You should:
- Keep your toddler resting quietly
- Give your toddler light things to eat
You should not:
- Let your toddler play in any vigorous games
FOR OLDER CHILDREN
You should:
- Give painkillers if they are complaining of a headache but make sure you do not exceed the recommended dose
- Ensure they have plenty of rest and avoid stressful situations
You should not:
- Let your child play any contact sport (for example rugby or football) for at least 3 weeks
- Take your child to school until you feel they have completely recovered.
Things you shouldn’t worry about:
Many children have some symptoms in the first few days after a minor head injury, these should settle over the next couple of weeks, but if they continue longer than that, you should arrange to see your own GP.
- Headache
- Feeling sick but not vomiting
- Dizziness
- Tiredness and mood changes
- Problems with memory and concentration
- Reduced appetite
- Sleep disturbances
Signs to look out for/seeking further medical attention
Some patients may appear to make a quick recovery but later experience difficulties or complications so it is important that medical help must be sought immediately at an Emergency Department if any of the following symptoms occur:
- Vomiting more than twice
- Your child is sleepy and you cannot wake them when you would normally expect your child to be wide awake
- Any fits (body or face starts to twitch) or passing out suddenly
- They can’t grip or grasp or any other signs of any weakness in one or more arms or legs
- Crying constantly
- Clear fluids or blood dripping from their nose or ears
- Have difficulty speaking or understanding what you are saying
- Any loss of balance or ability to walk
- Any problems with vision or new deafness in one or more ears
- A very painful headache that won’t go away after painkillers
- Any other symptoms that you are worried about
How to seek further medical advice
If you have concerns that your, or your child’s, condition is worsening (or not improving in the way that would be expected) you should seek medical advice as follows:
- In normal opening hours please contact your own registered GP practice.
- Outside your GP’s opening hours you should phone 111 who will advise you what steps you need to take next.
- If you are unable to get advice from the above and you, or your child has urgent concerns you could re-attend the Urgent Treatment Centre you visited today. If this is not an option you could attend your nearest hospital Emergency Department (A&E).
If you have concerns that you or the patient you are caring for has a potentially life-threatening illness or injury you should call 999.
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