No matter how vigilant or conscientious you are, child injuries like a knock on the noggin happen. Luckily, nearly head injuries in kids are minor — small bumps and cuts that tin can be soothed by an ice pack or a cast and kisses. But sometimes, a fall causes a gash that needs stitches or result in something more serious, similar a concussion. Here's what you need to know about head injuries in children, including how to care for your kid and when to call the doctor or head to the ER.

How head injuries in children happen

For kids under five, the majority of head injuries occur at home. Your wobbly toddler might tumble from the kitchen chair he insists on climbing. Or your baby rolls off the bed when you turn your attending away for a moment.

How to treat caput injuries in children

At first glance, minor head injuries can seem worse than they actually are, then don't panic (fifty-fifty if information technology'south your outset instinct). If you lose control, chances are your child volition have his cue from you, think there'southward something to worry virtually, and become hard to console. Instead, endeavour your all-time to stay calm and do the following:

  • If your kid is bleeding heavily, telephone call 911 and continue her laying down and quiet, with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. Put a make clean cloth or sterile bandage on the wound kickoff and employ direct pressure (unless you doubtable a skull fracture) for several minutes. Keep in mind that cuts on the head and face up bleed more than anywhere else considering there are more blood vessels at that place, so don't exist alarmed if it looks gory! It doesn't necessarily mean the injury is severe.
  • For small-scale cuts and scrapes on the confront, gently rinse the area with balmy soap and warm water, apply an antibacterial ointment, and encompass information technology with a sterile cast.
  • If y'all encounter a minor bump on the head and your child doesn't seem too upset, apply a cold shrink (or an water ice pack or bag of frozen veggies, if that's all you've got) for 20 minutes to ease discomfort and reduce swelling, and offer children's ibuprofen (but just give your babe ibuprofen if he'due south 6 months or older). And don't forget the TLC! (For anything more than than a pocket-size bump, bank check in with your kid'southward medico to exist certain your little one doesn't demand additional care.)

When to call the doctor

You lot can care for most small-scale caput injuries at home. If your child is alarm and responds to you, and cries from pain or fright for up to about 10 minutes, the injury is most probable mild. Simply if your child has any of the following symptoms, call your pediatrician or head to the emergency room right abroad:

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  • In that location is a gaping cut on your kid's face (this will often crave stitches).
  • The bleeding doesn't terminate after five to 10 minutes of applying pressure to the wound.
  • Your child is inconsolable and won't terminate crying.
  • Your child landed headfirst onto a hard surface.

What to practise if you suspect your kid has suffered a concussion

If your child has suffered a serious accident to his head or was knocked unconscious (even for a infinitesimal), he could have a concussion, which is a bruise to the encephalon. Phone call the md, who will probably recommend that you:

  • Keep your child awake for the first hour or then to make sure y'all get a clear sense of his mental well-existence before he naps or goes to sleep for the night. You lot want to make certain your child isn't dizzy or confused. For a infant, this could mean he's crying and not acting like his usual cocky. A toddler or preschooler could lose his balance or complain that he tin can't see.
  • Bank check on your child every couple of hours when he'due south sleeping to go a look at his skin color and breathing pattern. If all appears normal, there's no demand to wake him. If he looks stake or his breathing seems irregular, rouse him gently. If he fusses and tries to go back to sleep, all is well. If you can't wake him up, call 911.
  • Keep tabs on your child for the next 24 hours. Telephone call the medico or 911 if your lilliputian one exhibits any of these symptoms: vomiting; imbalance; confusion; listlessness; extreme irritability; changes in eating, sleeping, or animate patterns; complaints of a headache; slurred oral communication; eye irregularities (such as enlarged pupils or crossed optics); seizure; blood or fluid belch from the nose; or a loss of consciousness.

How to foreclose head injuries in children

There's no surefire style to keep your wobbly baby or waddling toddler from taking a dive, but in that location are ways to reduce the likelihood of one. They include:

  • Babyproof! To minimize the danger zones in your business firm, take precautions such as putting safety gates at the tops and bottoms of stairs and installing window guards. Information technology's a expert idea to go through another circular of childproofing before your baby takes his first steps.
  • Never go out your baby or toddler alone on a high piece of piece of furniture such every bit a bed, changing tabular array or loftier chair. Always continue him within arm's altitude.
  • Always strap your child into the stroller and high chair or onto the irresolute tabular array.
  • Proceed "climbable" furniture away from windows (even if they take window guards).
  • Avoid baby walkers: They're dangerous. Your kid may autumn out of it, be able to reach higher and pull down hot or otherwise dangerous items, or autumn down the stairs while using information technology.
  • Ever practice playground rubber. Watch your toddler when she is playing outside, and stay inside arm's accomplish when she's on a high surface.
  • If you lot have a play gym or swing set in your k, encompass the area under and around information technology with soft materials (similar wood fries or prophylactic mulch) then when your toddler tumbles, she volition fall onto a softer surface.