When it comes to our children, no injury is small enough not to cause worry. And although head injury in children are common in teens and young children, there is still plenty of cause for concern. A head injury in children can range from minor to life-threatening, and it’s important to have all the facts to ensure that your child gets the care that they need. Keep reading to learn more about common head injuries in children, their causes, and when to seek treatment.
Babies fall, athletes take hits, and clumsy kids just trip. But when should you worry about your child’s head injury? If your child takes a hit to the head, cries, or is stunned for a bit, and then resumes play, odds are that they’re fine. But if you notice that your child seems disoriented or experiences pain for an extended period of time, you may have more than a bruise or headache on your hands.Â
If your child has experienced loss of consciousness, has trouble seeing or hearing, or is bleeding excessively from their head, you need to get medical help as soon as possible. Not only can these symptoms be indicative of a more serious problem, but they may be symptoms of a life-threatening injury or condition.Â
Children and injuries are like moths to a flame. And as much as you can try to protect them, accidents can always happen. Here are some common causes of head injuries in children:Â
If a child in your life has consistent head injuries, they may be a victim of physical bullying or child abuse. These types of physical abuse often result in:
Should you notice any of the aforementioned signs of abuse or have other cause to suspect child abuse, do not hesitate to alert the appropriate authorities, such as child protective services, and find a way to remove the child from the situation if it seems that the child may be in imminent danger. Â
Head injury in children fall under two categories: internal and external. Internal injuries involve the skull, brain, blood vessels, and other tissue beneath the skin; external injuries solely affect the skin and scalp. Some external injuries, however, may also cause an underlying internal injury.Â
Internal Injuries:Â
Symptoms can present themselves at varying times following an injury, but usually within the first 24 hours at the most. With external injuries, you are more likely to notice an immediate pain response, but those with concussions or an ICH may not notice anything irregular until much later.Â
If your child has lost consciousness, seems disoriented, has dilated pupils, or is vomiting, seek medical help immediately. But should your child seem fine aside from a small bruise, scrape, or bump, treat the external injury accordingly and watch your child. Most of the time, some wound ointment or an ice pack is more than enough to treat a minor injury. Should you notice any strange behavior or troubling symptoms in the coming days, visit your pediatrician or go to an emergency room.
At Village Emergency Centers, we prioritize our patients’ experiences over everything else. When you bring your child to us, we work hard to make sure they get the immediate treatment they need, with no unexpected costs to you. If you want to learn more about how to handle a head injury in children or need help with any other medical emergency, please do not hesitate to contact us today or visit one of our Houston-area locations!
Victoria Alexander M.D.
Dr. Victoria Alexander graduated Medical School from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. In 1993, she completed her Internal Medicine Residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Before joining Village Emergency Centers, Dr. Alexander served as Director of Park Plaza Hospital Emergency Department for 5 years. Dr. Alexander has over 29 years of diverse experience, especially in Emergency Medicine.