How to Identify Head Injury Symptoms

Head injuries refer to any trauma affecting the brain, skull, or scalp. These injuries can either be open or closed and range from minor bruising to more serious concussions. It can be difficult to assess the exact extent of a head injury just by observing the victim, as these injuries can vary in severity. However, by quickly checking for potential signs of head trauma, you can still identify symptoms to ensure timely care.

Understand the risks. Head injuries can happen to anyone when the head is hit, bumped, or struck. Common causes include car accidents, falls, collisions with others, or simply bumping your head. Most head injuries are minor and do not require hospitalization, but it's still essential to check for any serious injuries to ensure there are no life-threatening conditions.

Examine external injuries. If you or someone else experiences an accident or unexpected incident involving the head or face, take a few minutes to carefully inspect external injuries. This step can help identify injuries that require emergency care, first aid, or those that might worsen over time. Make sure to check the entire head thoroughly by both visually inspecting and gently feeling it. Look for the following signs:

• Cuts or scratches that bleed, which may bleed heavily due to the head having more blood vessels than other parts of the body.
• Bleeding or fluid from the nose or ears.
• Bruising beneath the eyes or ears.
• Hematomas.
• Swelling, often referred to as a "goose egg."
• Foreign objects lodged in the head.

Observe physical symptoms of trauma. In addition to bleeding and swelling, many other physical signs can indicate a head injury, some of which may signal serious external or internal damage. These signs can appear immediately after the injury or several hours or even days later, and they require immediate medical attention. Watch for the following signs:

• Breathing cessation.
• Severe headache or progressively worsening pain.
• Loss of balance.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Weakness.
• Inability to control arms or legs.
• Irrregular pupil size or abnormal eye movement.
• Seizures.
• Uncontrollable crying in children.
• Loss of taste.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
• Temporary tinnitus.
• Extreme drowsiness.

Check for cognitive signs signaling internal damage. While the easiest way to identify a head injury is to look for physical signs, some cases may not show clear cuts or swelling, and may not even involve a headache. However, you might notice severe signs indicating head trauma. Call emergency services immediately if you observe any of the following cognitive symptoms indicating a head injury:

• Memory loss.
• Changes in mood.
• Confusion or disorientation.
• Slurred speech.
• Sensitivity to light, sound, or mental disorientation.

Continue monitoring symptoms. It’s important to understand that symptoms indicating brain injury may not be immediately apparent. Some signs might be subtle and not appear for days or even weeks after the injury. Therefore, it’s crucial to monitor the health of the injured individual closely.

• Ask friends or family if they have noticed any potential signs of behavioral changes or clear physical symptoms, such as skin discoloration.

Seek medical attention. Visit a doctor or call emergency services immediately if you notice any symptoms of a head injury or have any doubts. This ensures that you are not facing any serious or life-threatening injuries and that you receive the appropriate treatment.

• Call emergency services if you notice any of the following signs: severe bleeding from the head or face, intense headache, loss of consciousness or breathing cessation, seizures, continuous vomiting, weakness, confusion, unequal pupil size, or blueish discoloration under the eyes and ears.
• Visit a doctor within one or two days if you have suffered a serious head injury, even if the wound does not require emergency care. Be sure to inform the doctor about how the injury occurred and what pain relief measures you have used at home, including any pain medications or first-aid steps taken.
• Keep in mind that accurately determining the type and severity of a head injury is almost impossible during initial first aid. Internal injuries must be evaluated by a medical professional with the appropriate medical equipment.

Stabilize the head. If the injured person is still conscious, it is important to keep their head immobilized while assisting them or waiting for emergency services. Place your hands on both sides of their head to prevent any movement, which could cause further injury, while also allowing you to provide first aid.

• Roll up a jacket or blanket and place it close to their head to help stabilize it while performing first aid actions.
• Keep the person as still as possible while slightly elevating their head and shoulders.
• Do not remove the person's helmet to avoid additional injuries.
• Avoid shaking the person, even if they appear confused or unconscious. You can gently tap them, but do not move them.

Control the bleeding. Whether the injury is minor or severe, controlling any bleeding is crucial if the person is bleeding. Use gauze or a clean cloth to apply pressure to the wound in any case of head injury.

• Unless a skull fracture is suspected, you can use gauze or a clean cloth to apply firm pressure to the wound. In the case of a suspected skull fracture, you should only apply sterile gauze to the wound.
• Avoid removing the gauze or cloth from the wound. Only add more gauze if the initial cloth becomes saturated with blood. Do not attempt to remove any debris from the wound. You can gently cover the wound with gauze if there are many foreign objects in it.
• Remember never to rinse a head wound if it is bleeding profusely or too deep.

Handle vomiting. Vomiting may occur after a head injury. If you are immobilizing the person's head and they start vomiting, you need to ensure they do not choke. Roll the person onto their side to reduce the risk of choking due to vomiting.

• Be sure to support their head, neck, and spine as you roll them onto their side.

Apply ice to reduce swelling. If the area of the head injury is swollen, you can use an ice pack to help reduce swelling. This action can assist in controlling inflammation, easing pain, or alleviating discomfort.

• Apply ice to the injury for 20 minutes at a time, and you may do this three to five times a day. Seek medical attention if swelling does not decrease within one or two days. Call emergency services immediately if the swelling increases, accompanied by vomiting and/or severe headache.
• You can use a commercial ice pack or repurpose a bag of frozen vegetables or fruits. Remove the ice pack if it becomes too cold or painful. Always place a towel or cloth between the ice pack and the skin to avoid discomfort and cold burns.

Constantly monitor the injured person. When someone suffers a head injury, it is best to monitor them for several days or until professional help arrives. This allows you to respond quickly if there are any changes in the person's vital signs. Continuous monitoring also provides reassurance to the injured person.

• Observe any changes in the person's breathing and consciousness. If the person stops breathing, perform CPR if possible.
• Keep talking to reassure the person, and through this, you can notice any changes in their speech or cognitive abilities.
• Ensure that the person with the head injury does not consume alcohol for 48 hours. Alcohol can mask symptoms of serious injury or the worsening of the patient's condition.
• Seek medical attention if you are unsure about any changes in the injured person's condition.

• Do not allow an athlete with a head injury to return to the game.