Is It a Head Bump, Bruise, or Something More Serious?

A fun time roughhousing with the cousins at a family gathering can quickly turn into an emergency if a head injury occurs. A hard fall, a bump against the counter, or a quick bang against another child’s head is enough to send any parent into a tizzy. 

Head injuries are scary! It’s hard to know when your kid just needs a hug and some colorful stickers from your Keep>Going First Aid Kit bag or when it’s time to seek medical treatment. 

A concussion occurs when the brain is jostled by a sudden impact to the head. It can cause sensitivity to light, dizziness, or blurry vision and should be handled delicately. Is it a concussion or a little bump? 

Here are a few questions you should ask yourself after a head injury so you can confidently decide what to do next.

What happened?

Ask you child exactly what happened. You child may still have head trauma even if they hit their jaw or chin.

Analyze how your child is speaking. Do they seem coherent? Do they remember exactly what happened? If they seem confused or can’t remember, it may be a sign of a concussion.

How is your child acting?

Consider your child’s behavior after the incident. Even a mild head bump can be painful, so there may be some tears and a bit of shock. But it’s important to look for signs of confusion, irritability, or problems focusing. 

These may be symptoms of a concussion, in which case even your travel First Aid Kit may not have what you need to make it better. If your child is acting different, seek medical treatment right away.

Can you treat it at home?

If your child isn’t showingsigns of a concussion, it may just be a bruise or bump that you can treat at home. Apply ice (or a bag of frozen peas) to the area for a few minutes every hour or so to reduce the swelling. 

Even if you’re sure it’s not a concussion, have your child rest and relax. Distract them with some stickers from your Keep>Going First Aid Kit bag and continue observing them.

Should you seek medical treatment?

While your child is resting, they should begin to feel better. If their headache worsens, their speech slurs, or they seem more irritable, you may not be in the clear. Seek medical treatment immediately and record the symptoms your child is experiencing to discuss with a medical professional.

Still not sure if it’s a simple head bump or concussion? Read up on ithere so you know what to do. Your Keep>Going compact First Aid Kit is Designed to Help but if you suspect it’s a concussion, seek medical treatment right away.