Our brain is the most fragile part of our body, and yet, we often don’t take proper care to prevent possible head injuries. Just imagine, how many times did you see someone riding a bike without a helmet? Probably a lot! Even a small fall can cause head injuries that would quickly become a nightmare to deal with. However, accidents happen, and people who don’t participate in reckless behavior still end up hurting their heads! No matter the cause, anytime a head injury happens, swift first aid in head injury is a must to avoid complications.  

The brain is a soft organ, and even in cases when there are no outward indications of trauma to the face or scalp, a forceful blow to the head can cause damage to the brain or spinal cord. Because of this, any head injury has to be taken seriously! A head hit can result in a fractured skull, among other head traumas. While some head injuries are minor, others may be so bad that they result in death or serious brain damage. 

Responding promptly to head injuries through basic first aid is a good place to start. Keep reading to find out how to offer first aid in head injury and how to stop bleeding quickly!

What is a Head Injury? 

Any kind of injury to the brain, skull, or scalp is referred to as a head injury. The source and severity of your head injury will determine the level of harm! Skull fractures, concussions, and scalp wounds are very common if you hit your head quite hard. However, sometimes you can get away with a minor bump if the hit was mild. 

Head injuries can be classified as open or closed. Any head injury that doesn't break your skull is considered a closed head injury, but if something breaks your skull and affects the soft brain matter, it is known as an open head injury. Determining the severity of a head injury just by appearance can be challenging! This is because while some catastrophic head injuries don't bleed at all, other minor head injuries bleed a lot. All brain injuries should be taken seriously and evaluated by a physician for head injury treatment. 

What are the Symptoms of a Head Injury? 

The presence of blood is not always a reliable sign of how serious a head injury is, so be aware! Other signs of a severe head injury include:

• The person may have brief or prolonged bouts of unconsciousness, or they may regain consciousness but feel disoriented or sleepy. 

• Vomiting and nausea are frequent aftereffects of severe head injuries, and if they continue, they should always be taken seriously.

• A short seizure could occur in some people.  

• Cerebrospinal fluid may seep out the nose or ears as a result of a skull fracture, particularly one that occurs around the base of the skull.  

• A person with a severe head injury may have dilated (enlarged) pupils that vary in size, and the individual may report having double or blurry vision.

• Blood vessels around the eyes and ears can be ruptured by the hit, and black, damaged flesh behind the ears or around the eyes is an indication of this. 

If there is blood, first aid in head injury should start immediately! Learn how to stop bleeding from head trauma, and apply the technique until the patient is taken to the emergency room. Head injury treatment will depend on the symptoms and severity.  

First Aid for Head Injury 

Follow these simple steps to offer head injury first aid: 

• Verify the person's respiration, circulation, and airway, and start CPR and rescue breathing if needed.

• Treat the patient as though they had a spinal injury if their breathing and heart rate are normal, but they are unconscious. Putting your hands on both sides of the person's head will help to stabilize their head and neck. 

• Avoid movement and maintain the head's alignment with the spine. Stay like this until medical assistance arrives.

• If there is blood, applying pressure with a clean towel to the wound can stop the bleeding, unless there seems to be a fracture in the skull. 

• Take extra care not to move the person's head if the damage is severe, and don’t even remove the first bandage if blood seeps through it. Cover the first cloth with another fresh bandage.

• Do not clean out any debris from the wound or apply direct pressure to the bleeding location if you think they may have a skull fracture. 

• If they are vomiting or about to vomit, in order to avoid choking, roll the person's head, neck, and body together onto their side while supporting their head and neck. 

For minor head injuries, when there is no blood, you can simply use an ice pack for swelling control! After a brain injury, people frequently throw up, but if this keeps happening, go to the emergency room. A person may take painkillers to treat their pain or headache while using an ice pack for swelling.  

When to Visit the Doctor? 

It's important for anyone experiencing head injury symptoms to consult a physician after receiving first aid. However, if there are certain specific indicators, call for immediate medical attention. A person has to get care right away if they experience any of the following symptoms:

• Speech difficulties 

• One enlarged pupil that seems bigger than the other

• A decline in coordination

• Tiredness

• Persistently worsening headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Unconsciousness

• Numbness

• Seizures or convulsions 

• Disorientation  

Head Injury Treatment Options 

The course of treatment for head trauma varies greatly depending on the location and degree of the damage. When treating mild head injuries, the doctor will probably numb the region, clean any wounds, and look for any foreign objects and any cuts will be sealed with stitches, staples, or a specialized adhesive if needed. In addition to recommending bed rest, ice for any swelling, and drinks to avoid dehydration, the medical practitioner may prescribe pain relief. 

Tests and monitoring are necessary for severe brain trauma because pressure from internal injuries can result in the skull being compressed, which can be fatal. Head trauma may cause seizures, in which case they will be handled appropriately. If there is a serious or unclean wound, the medical professional may administer a tetanus shot, and antibiotics will be administered later if an infection develops at the location of the wound. 

Final Remarks

Head injuries can seriously harm your health if the injury is severe. In most cases, people hit their heads on something, or get injured from a fall and get a bump on their head, and these problems usually go away on their own. However, in the case of excessive bleeding from a head injury or an open wound on the skull, the person should receive first aid immediately, and then be taken to the emergency ward without delay! 

Get in touch with Medantato receive help for head injuries from expert emergency care physicians!