Head Injury

• hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas in a tea towel) to the area regularly for short periods in the first few days to bring down any swelling

• rest and avoid stress – you or your child do not need to stay awake if you're tired

• take painkillers such as paracetamol for headaches

• make sure an adult stays with you or your child for at least the first 24 hours

DO NOT:

• go back to work or school until you're feeling better

• drive until you feel you have fully recovered

• play contact sports for at least 3 weeks – children should avoid rough play for a few days

• take drugs or drink alcohol until you're feeling better

• take sleeping pills while you're recovering unless a doctor advises you to

• been knocked out but have now woken up

• vomited (been sick) since the injury

• a headache that does not go away with painkillers

• a change in behaviour, like being more irritable or losing interest in things around you (especially in children under 5)

• been crying more than usual (especially in babies and young children)

• problems with memory

• been drinking alcohol or taking drugs just before the injury

• a blood clotting disorder (like haemophilia) or you take medicine to thin your blood

• had brain surgery in the past

• been knocked out and has not woken up

• difficulty staying awake or keeping their eyes open

• a fit (seizure)

• fallen from a height more than 1 metre or 5 stairs

• problems with their vision or hearing

• a black eye without direct injury to the eye

• clear fluid coming from their ears or nose

• bleeding from their ears or bruising behind their ears

• numbness or weakness in part of their body

• problems with walking, balance, understanding, speaking or writing

• hit their head at speed, such as in a car crash, being hit by a car or bike or a diving accident

• a head wound with something inside it or a dent to the head

• pupils that are different sizes or not reacting to changes in light