Youth and beauty 

The one-year-old child fell on his forehead. The child fell and hit his head, but there is no damage - we monitor the general condition of the baby

The contusion to the back of the head is, at first glance, a minor injury. But even it can cause irreversible and serious consequences for humans. Injuries to the back of the head in children and adults can lead to impaired vision or blurred consciousness. Today we will consider in detail the answer to the question: what to do with a bruised neck.

Injury to the occipital part of the head can be accompanied by visual impairment, since it is this part of the head that is responsible for the activity of the visual system. In some situations, a person may lose consciousness or feel numbness and weakness in the limbs (especially in the lower ones), this is due to a possible concussion of the brain. That is why you should not neglect this injury, even if the bruise of the back of the child's head was due to a fall on the floor. There are cases when the consequences of a bruise of the occipital part of the head manifested themselves after several years.

Symptoms of a bruised occiput may differ depending on the extent of the injury and the exact location of the injury. If the blow was very strong, and there was a concussion, then the person, as a rule, loses consciousness for a certain time, feels dizziness and headache, memory loss may occur, and the person may also feel sick. Similar symptoms occur when the bones of the skull are damaged.

If there is a slight contusion of the soft tissues of the occiput, then a hematoma of the occipital part of the head is formed. The consequence can be pain, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, or double vision.

Injury to the back of the head from falling or hitting the ice can cause brain injury. Such an injury is accompanied by loss of consciousness, sometimes for several hours, short-term speech impairment and paralysis of facial muscles. Therefore, a bruise of the occipital part of the head in children is especially dangerous.

Consequences of trauma to the back of the head

A bruise to the back of the head from a fall can have irreversible consequences, we recommend that you consult a doctor even with the smallest injury, especially a bruise of the back of the head in children. If there is no proper treatment, then a severe injury to the occipital part of the head will have the following consequences:

  • Unilateral visual-spatial agnosia, that is, a person will experience a violation of different types of perception. With a bruise of the back of the head on the left, a person will not be able to perceive the left side of the space;
  • Increased distraction and irritability;
  • Decreased performance;
  • Sleep disturbance;
  • Memory impairment;
  • Depression;
  • The appearance of hallucinations and clouding of consciousness;
  • Meteorological dependence;
  • Constant headaches and dizziness;
  • Deterioration in concentration.

Now you know why bruises in the back of the head are dangerous. And to avoid all these negative consequences only a timely appeal to a specialist will help you.

Contusion of the back of the head: first aid

Everyone should know what to do with a bruise in the back of the head. This will help to provide first aid at the right time in case of a fall and a bruise of the back of the head. It consists in the following:

  • Apply a cold compress to the damaged area. You can use ice wrapped in a cloth or a bottle of cold water. It is necessary to keep the cold for 10-15 minutes, then take a break for 30 minutes and repeat;
  • The injured person needs to be provided with peace, if he is vomiting, then you need to gently turn him over on his side;
  • Be sure to call an ambulance and do nothing before they arrive. The doctor should examine the bruise of the back of the head, we do not recommend that you give the injured person pain medication, as this can put the diagnosis of the injury.

Contusion of the back of the head: treatment

At home, it is possible to treat an injury to the back of the head in a fall only for minor injuries. Doctors recommend using Heparin Ointment, Traumeel Gel or Dorobene Gel. They must be applied to the affected area 2-3 times a day, following the instructions.

A hematoma of the occiput during a fall is treated with cold compresses. And if you have a bump with a bruise of the back of your head, then you can use Troxevasin ointment as a medicine.

Now you know how to treat a bruised neck. We also advise you to shorten the time spent in front of the computer and TV if you receive such an injury, give up physical activity for at least 3-4 weeks and spend as much time as possible in the fresh air.

All babies are very mobile, so various bumps and abrasions are normal for them. In most cases, their fall occurs upside down. Nature has taken care of the protection of the child's brain, therefore, basically, such blows are not able to cause significant harm to the baby. Although there are injuries that pose a danger to the baby. If a child hits his head, what should adults do in this case?

Danger of head bumps

As soon as the baby has learned to move independently, he often falls, and bumps appear on his head. Parents, as a rule, do not pay attention to this, considering this condition to be normal. How do you know if it's worth worrying?

Forehead blow

The consequence of the fact that the child fell headlong, hitting his forehead, is the appearance of a bump. This is due to trauma to small vessels and the filling of surrounding tissues with blood. The result is edema and hematoma. Due to the fact that the bones of the forehead are quite strong, these injuries are not dangerous. But, if a bump after a fall appeared in a baby, then it must be shown to a doctor who can determine the degree of damage and exclude serious consequences.

Back of the head blow

Sometimes, the child may fall on his back and hit the back of his head. In this case, parents should hurry to the doctor. This is due to the fact that such injuries become the cause of serious problems in the future. Due to the fact that nerve endings are located in the back of the head, affecting the work of the organs of vision, it can be disrupted. The child is able to lose consciousness, he has tremors in his legs and general weakness of the body. And all this can be even with a small bump.

Seeing that the child hit the back of the head, hurry up with him to the doctor, even if he does not present any complaints. There are times when signs of such injuries can appear over a long period of time.

First aid

Falls and shocks are common for children, especially one-year-olds, so you always need to know what to do if the child hits his head hard. Correct and timely action will help prevent the development of severe consequences of injury. First, the damaged area must be carefully examined. Adults should try to determine the severity of the blow, regardless of where it hit (forehead, back of head or temple):

  1. The appearance of a hematoma in the place where the blow occurred. Apply cold (ice) to the place of edema as soon as possible. A bottle filled with cold water or a handkerchief soaked in water will also work. It is necessary to hold such a compress for about 5 minutes in order to alleviate the condition and reduce the swelling of the affected tissues.
  2. After the fall, there was an abrasion and blood appeared. The wound must be treated with hydrogen peroxide. This will prevent various pathogens from entering the wound through the wound. If you are having trouble stopping the bleeding right away, call an ambulance.
  3. The kid could have hit, but there is no damage in this place. Parents should watch him closely for several more days, noting any deviations from the norm in his behavior or condition. The child may feel a headache or dizziness, become moody and irritable, sleep for a long time or get tired quickly. All this may indicate a concussion or some other serious injury. Noticing a sharp deterioration in his condition, loss of consciousness, the occurrence of nausea and vomiting, it is necessary to urgently call a doctor.

Adults should reassure the child and provide complete peace of mind. To do this, it is better to put the baby in bed, read a fairy tale, explain that nothing dangerous has happened and after a rest he will be able to play again.

In this case, the main thing is to do everything so that he is awake for several hours, because many of them immediately begin to fall asleep. This is done in order not to miss serious symptoms and to identify the severity of the injury.

Doctors recommend waking your baby up at night to check coordination. After a few days, if he continues to feel good and is not bothered by anything, then the parents can calm down. In the first time after the injury, he should spend more time walking on the street, but avoid active pastime.

Alarming symptoms

Each toddler may fall to the floor or bump his head on furniture or any other object. If this happens, the parents should track him down. At the same time, any physical activity should be minimized. Older children need to limit their brain activity - not reading, playing on the computer or watching TV. A child who complains of weakness or dizziness should be seen by a doctor.

After hitting the forehead

Children can often bump their foreheads. A visit to the doctor cannot be postponed if the parents notice:

  • In the place where the bump was, a depression formed.
  • The kid complains of nausea, vomiting has appeared.
  • Cannot calm down for a long time.
  • The lips are blue and the skin is pale.

Tatyana Gurevich, head of the Movement Disorders Clinic at Tel Aviv Medical Center, talks in detail about head injuries:

  • The pupils are greatly enlarged or squint appears.
  • Too big a bump appeared at the impact site.
  • He cannot turn his head to the side, it is difficult for him to move.
  • There is bleeding from the nose or ears.

If at least one of the above signs is noticed, you need to immediately show the child to a doctor. Even in the case when it seems to adults that the injury is insignificant, consultation with a pediatrician is required!

Before the arrival of the doctor, the victim should not be given medications, so that the doctor can assess the real picture of the damage. The baby should be lying on its side to wait for the examination.

After being hit by the back of your head

If the blow hits the back of the head, the symptoms that should alert you will be almost identical. Additionally, numbness of the extremities, loss of consciousness (may be prolonged), visual impairment (blurred, complete absence, etc.), tinnitus, severe dizziness, impaired coordination of movements and memory loss may appear.

Such blows are often the cause of concussion. And even if the baby just flopped to the floor, hitting the back of the head, this state cannot be ignored. To avoid negative consequences, it is better to show the child to the doctor immediately.

Older children and adolescents can be injured if they fall on their backs while rollerblading, cycling, or in a fight. To avoid trouble, it is important to teach your baby how to fall correctly as early as possible, and when riding a bike, you must use a protective helmet.

Possible consequences

Children can fall in any direction. The type of injury, signs and consequences will depend on where the blow fell. Even if the child seems healthy, adults still need to observe his condition and behavior for several days.

It is possible that the state of health will begin to deteriorate after a while. Children may complain of headaches, memory problems. They become moody, sleep and appetite are disturbed.

On impact with the forehead

Children can fall forward and hit their foreheads most often. In such situations, the simplest manifestation of injury is a lump. There are 2 types of traumatic brain injury:

  1. Closed - without violating the integrity of the bones of the skull and skin. Separate light (not threatening the baby) and complex injuries (when treatment is necessary).
  1. Open - damage to the skin and bone occurs. As a result of the fall, the baby's consciousness is disturbed and bleeding appears.

Neurologist M. M. Shperling talks about traumatic brain injuries. We listen to the doctor:

Closed include the following injuries:

  • Brain concussion. The victim may lose consciousness (this usually lasts a few minutes). After that, dizziness, nausea and vomiting will appear. Pale skin and blue lips are observed. Although, it is possible that the child will not have any signs of a concussion. But it's too early to rejoice. Parents in such situations should analyze the behavior of the baby during sleep. With a concussion, sleep is disturbed, he often wakes up. If this is the case with your child, then it should be shown to the doctor. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the child needs bed rest.
  • Brain contusion. In this case, after the blow, the children lose consciousness. The skin around the eyes darkens and blood may come from the ears and nose. In this case, you need to call an ambulance. Other signs of a brain injury include: impaired speech and facial expressions, damage to the facial nerve.
  • Contusion of soft tissues. This injury is the easiest and most harmless. In this case, a lump or hematoma appears at the site of the impact. The child quickly calms down and his condition returns to normal.

Consequences of a blow to the head

On impact with the back of the head

Falling on the back of your head is very dangerous. Therefore, after such an injury, the baby should be immediately shown to the doctor in order to avoid serious consequences:

  1. Perceptual impairment. When the blow came from the left side, the baby may not perceive the space that is on the left and vice versa. This condition is considered very serious and dangerous, but it is rarely diagnosed.
  2. Children can become inattentive. Sleep is disturbed, memory deteriorates. The kid is tormented by constant headaches.

Doctor Komarovsky talks about childhood head injuries and when it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor:

Such consequences can be avoided if the child is shown to a doctor as soon as possible after the injury.

Injury prevention

Any fall can result in a blow to the head. To avoid this, young children should not be left unattended by adults wherever they are (on a sofa, changing table, in a crib or stroller). They may roll over or try to crawl, as a result of which they may fall and bump. If you need to leave the room where the baby is, place him in a playpen or lay him on the floor where it will be safe for him.

While changing the crumbs, hold it with your free hand. When the child is sitting on the bed, even if you are nearby at the time, place some pillows on the floor. Children are incredibly mobile and it is not always possible to keep track of them.

Safety precautions must not be neglected when walking in a wheelchair. When choosing a stroller, pay attention to models with high sides. And when seating a child there, be sure to fasten him with seat belts.

Children who are learning to walk especially often fall. At this time, their legs are not yet strong enough and it is easy for him to stumble or slip. To make the baby comfortable, put on socks with special rubber inserts on the feet, which will prevent him from sliding on the floor. It is equally important to protect the surrounding objects and furniture. Silicone pads are sold especially for sharp corners. Parents can also cover these areas with a soft cloth.

While descending the stairs, you need to firmly hold the children's handle, as the baby can easily slip when falling down. And this is extremely dangerous. One of the most traumatic places for children is the playground. To prevent injury in babies, parents should always be with them. This is especially true for swinging or playing on high structures.

For older toddlers who begin rollerblading or cycling, always wear a safety helmet that can always protect the child's head from injury in the event of a fall. It is important for children who go in for sports to learn how to fall correctly and group while doing this.

The head is not only the most important, but also the most vulnerable part of the human body. Therefore, she needs a careful attitude. The main task of adults is to monitor the baby and in a conversation with an older child, during which he needs to explain the importance of safety at home. If, nevertheless, it happened that the child fell and hit his head, he must be shown to a doctor in order to exclude the occurrence of serious injuries.

A head injury is an injury that often occurs in everyday life. At first glance, it seems simple enough, but everything can turn out to be much more serious. The main danger lies in the fact that the soft tissue injury of the head is a closed type of injury in which the skin is not affected. Sometimes damage to the integrity of the skin is also observed. In any case, such damage is often combined with other injuries - a skull fracture, concussion, which can have dangerous consequences.

The danger lies in the possibility of the formation of an extensive hematoma. It will put severe pressure on the brain, which as a result can lead to unintended consequences, including severe brain damage. Therefore, consultation with a specialist and proper treatment are extremely important.

The head has different lobes, which makes it possible to classify the injury:

  • Bruised forehead.
  • Contusion of the occiput.
  • Bruised temple.
  • Damage to the parietal lobe, vault, or base of the skull.

In most cases, damage to the occipital or frontal lobe occurs. Trauma to the parietal region is less common. Damage to the temporal lobe is the least common. The most rare and at the same time difficult cases are when extensive damage is observed that covers several head lobes.

Depending on the severity of the injury, the injury is classified as follows:

  • Minor trauma.
  • Damage with violation of the integrity of the skin.
  • Jaw injuries.
  • Skull and brain lesions.

Injury code according to ICD 10

According to the international classification of diseases ICD 10, the classifier code is included in S00-S09. The specific classifier depends on the severity of the injury. Code S00 - superficial, which does not include brain contusions, eye socket and facial injuries.

An open head wound belongs to S01, - S02. Other unspecified scalp wounds are classified as S09.

Causes

A head injury in a child and an adult can occur for various reasons. The most common injury to the head is from a fall. But other causes of a bruised wound in adults are also distinguished:

  • Blunt force hit.
  • Household fight.
  • During sports competitions and training.
  • During wrestling or martial arts.
  • In the course of labor activity.
  • Due to an accident.

A bruise of the forehead, the back of the head in a child usually occurs when a child falls, a sharp collision with other objects, or during active games. In a newborn baby, a bruise occurs due to insufficient adult supervision. Often times, the baby can be hit with the back of the head when placed on the changing table. An active toddler may accidentally fall and hit his forehead, for example, rolling off the couch, falling out of the stroller. It is impossible for babies to be unattended, as there is a high probability of bruising the occipital region, bumps on the forehead and other types of injuries.

Symptoms

A bruise of the soft tissues of the head definitely needs examination and complex treatment by a specialist. The latter directly depends on the symptomatology, and it, in turn, is determined by the type of injury and the degree of damage.

The main features include:

  • Painful sensations. Their cause is vasospasm.
  • The appearance or bruising of a hematoma on the head after a bruise.
  • Bleeding from the nose.
  • Increase in temperature for a short period of time.
  • Feeling of weakness in the arms.
  • As a result of a head injury, adolescents and adults may experience nausea and vomiting.
  • Dizziness.
  • Clouding of the head without loss of consciousness.
  • Complete loss of consciousness, fainting.
  • Movement disorder.
  • Bump bruising.
  • Decrease in pressure.

Many people believe that a bruise from a bruise will go away by itself, ignoring a visit to a specialist. This leads to serious consequences, including hallucinations, memory loss. A person may begin to hear voices, and the likelihood of other signs is also high. Frequent symptoms of soft tissue injury are pain, bumps and bruises. When they appear, you should promptly seek the advice of a specialist.

First aid

heads in adults and children - this is an opportunity to exclude further complications. However, everything must be done correctly so as not to harm a person. So, help with a head injury involves doing the following:

  • A tight bandage is applied to the head. It helps prevent the appearance of hematoma.
  • Impose. Many people have the question of how long to keep the cold - no more than 10-15 minutes. Then, during the first day, the procedure should be systematically repeated to relieve pain and prevent the growth of hematoma.
  • In the presence of open wounds, their antiseptic treatment is carried out with hydrogen peroxide or chlorhexidine, bleeding stops. You can not use brilliant green or iodine.

Remember that in case of bruises on the head of children, help as quickly as possible. You should not scold the kid, it is better to calm him down and subsequently hold a conversation about the accuracy in the game process.

What to do with a head injury

It is important for people to know what to do with a head injury. Simple rules can help reduce pain and help speed up your recovery. Initially, first aid is given after a head injury of an adult or child. After that, the victim should go to a medical facility for diagnosis, diagnosis and competent treatment. Further, it is recommended to perform the following actions:

  • Repeat the ice compress during the first day. It is held for up to 10 minutes every 2-3 hours. This allows you to reduce pain, avoid the appearance of extensive bruising, a cold compress is applied directly to the injured area without strong pressure.
  • With a severe bruise of the head, there are times that the head hurts and does not go away. Then you can have a drink. It is important to understand that aspirin is not allowed in the presence of subcutaneous hemorrhage. It tends to worsen blood coagulation, as a result of which a hematoma grows.
  • After 2-3 days, you can perform warming up using warm lotions, heating pads or compresses. This will help the swelling to dissolve more quickly. On the first day, warming up is not permissible, since there is a likelihood of the development of an inflammatory process.
  • If a crust appears at the site of the abrasion, do not peel it off. There is a chance that a scar will remain.
  • To make the injury stop bothering you faster, you can use gels, creams and ointments. It is best to check this with your doctor. The use of such medications also eliminates the formation of a crust.

Diagnostics and treatment

A severe head injury suggests that you must make an appointment with a specialist for an examination. It is important for damage to the temporal, parietal, frontal and occipital lobes. The result is confirmation or denial of serious diagnoses, such as a concussion. Many are worried about the question of which doctor to go to with such injuries. Diagnosis and treatment is carried out by a traumatologist, and consultation with a neurologist may also be needed.

The main diagnostic methods include:

  • Radiography. It allows you to see if there is a violation of the integrity of the cranial bones
  • Magnetic resonance imaging, which allows you to assess changes in the structure of the brain and the depth of the hematoma.
  • X-ray of the cervical spine. It is necessary in cases where there is a possibility of displacement of the vertebrae.

Treatment is usually carried out in two ways - conservative and operative. The specific doctor selects. The operative method of treatment is indicated in cases where the inner diameter of the hematoma exceeds 4 cm, as well as with pronounced intracranial hypertension, if the displacement of the brain structures exceeds 5 mm. Conservative treatment is based on the appointment of a specialist with diuretics, anticonvulsant tablets, infusion and oxygen therapy, as well as the intake of antihypoxants.

Among the medications, the following may be prescribed:

  • Drugs that normalize the functioning of the autonomic nervous system.
  • Analgesics.
  • Sleeping pills.
  • Nootropic drugs that normalize brain function. They are usually prescribed as prophylactic.

To increase the rate of resorption of hematoma, doctors recommend using gels, creams, ointments for bruises. At the same time, being interested in how to remove the hematoma on the forehead, you should proceed as follows: on the first day, apply cold for up to 10 minutes every few hours, on the second day they warm up, and also begin to lubricate the damaged area with special ointments.

How to treat a bruised head

When wondering how to treat a head injury, it is important to understand that the process depends on the severity of the injury. it is quite possible if it is minor damage. It often boils down to the following:

  • For the first few days, the victim is advised to rest in bed. You should get out of bed only when necessary.
  • When localizing the injury on the right, it is worth resting on the left side and vice versa.
  • It is important to completely eliminate physical activity for the next few weeks. If this is not possible, it is worth limiting them.
  • During the recovery period, you should minimize watching TV and working at the computer.
  • It is necessary to spend more time in the fresh air 2-3 days after the injury.
  • The doctor's recommendations should be followed exactly.

Additionally, you can use folk remedies, which usually help speed up the healing process. Among the recipes, the following are distinguished:

  • Saline 3% solution... Natural fabric is moistened in the liquid and placed in the freezer for 4-5 hours. Before applying the compress, the fabric is soaked in water to soften. The procedure takes up to 10 minutes.
  • Composition with iodine and alcohol... Alcohol can be replaced with vodka. The ingredients are mixed in equal proportions. The fabric is dipped into the resulting composition and applied to the site of injury.
  • Crystalline camphor and water... The composition includes 10 grams of camphor and half a liter of water. The solution is infused at room temperature, while it is periodically recommended to shake the product. Application is possible only after complete dissolution. In the composition, the fabric is moistened and applied to the injury site for up to 60 minutes.
  • Potato starch... It is mixed with water to form a gruel. After that, it is applied to the injured area.

Some also use more non-standard methods of treatment, such as leeches. Before using folk remedies, it is best to consult with a specialist so as not to harm.

Often, the mobility and curiosity of children leads, through parental oversight or by accident, to falls and injuries. Such traumas are especially alarming at the age of up to three years, until children can accurately describe their feelings and condition, and only external data and approximately the strength of the trauma, if it happened in front of their parents, can be assessed. Falls with head bumps are most alarming, as children's brains are vulnerable to trauma, concussions, bruises, and other injuries. Almost no child can do without falls and minor injuries as he grows and develops, he learns the world and his activity and freedom cannot be limited. But it is important to ensure maximum safety and know how dangerous head injuries are, how to help with them and which of the symptoms for certain types of injuries, especially if the baby falls, hits, forehead or back of the head, are dangerous, and which are not?

The structure of the baby's head

Nature has taken care in advance to protect the child in certain ways in case of possible falls and injuries. At an early age, in order to avoid trauma during childbirth, and then partially as it grows, the head of the baby has a special structure. The head at birth is relatively large in size, disproportionate to the rest of the parts. And therefore, when falling from beds, sofas or changing tables, babies fall forward with it. But there are also special positive, compensatory mechanisms.

note

The brain of the crumbs in case of possible falls, if this is not an extreme height, is relatively reliably protected from injury. The bones of the head are relatively elastic, not completely ossified, there are seams at the joints in them, as well as a fontanel, which, due to its elasticity, can compensate for the change in pressure in the cranial cavity.

The brain itself is surrounded by hard, soft and arachnoid membranes, floating in a liquid that compensates for shocks to a certain extent. These environments damp the force of the impact quite strongly, so either a high impact force or a high height is needed for a young baby to receive dangerous brain damage.

Hazardous surfaces and falls

For a baby, falls from a height equal to or less than his own height can be considered relatively safe. That is, this distance is about 50-60 cm. In addition, it is important how the child did it, whether acceleration was imparted to the body or whether it was a fall under its own weight. The surfaces on which the head lands during falls are also important.

As the baby grows, when he begins to walk, falls happen:

  • from a height of one's own height when walking and running,
  • when walking in a walker, jumping in jumpers,
  • when riding a gurney, children's bicycles, sledges
  • from chairs, when climbing on them,
  • elements of furniture, when trying to climb higher,
  • various sports equipment, street slides, swings and carousels.

There are many options for falls, but the higher the distance from the place of fall to the surface on which the child lands, and the denser, harder this surface, the more dangerous the injury.

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If the fall occurs on a carpet or carpet, it will partially soften the injury, but if it is tiles, linoleum or uneven surfaces, this is worse.

The likelihood of falls and injuries is directly proportional to the age of the young pilot. In an early return (the first six months), falls are possible due to oversight or negligence of parents who left the baby unattended, or with improper care, rough care and upbringing, domestic violence.

When learning to roll over from side to side and gradually mastering crawling, pulling up with hands, falls are likely from sofas and beds, for the most part such falls are accompanied more by the fear of parents than by really dangerous injuries to children. Further, as you master the walk. the risk of falls increases and vigilance needs to be increased. From the moment of mastering the space on foot, when children already walk, run and jump, climb everywhere, you need to increase vigilance to the maximum.

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Remember, even with your own home, not to mention the street, a child can get dangerous and even fatal injuries. Plastic windows with mosquito nets are especially dangerous in the warm season. They will not support the weight of the child, who, having climbed onto the windowsill, can lean on them. This threatens the death of a baby who has fallen out of the window.

But this does not mean at all that the baby needs to be locked up in four walls and not allowed to actively develop and master space. You have to be on your guard and catch up.

For children under three years old, the rule of an outstretched arm should apply; in dangerous places, the baby should be in the area of ​​the outstretched arm of the parents, so that, if necessary, they have time to insure him.

The child hit his head: what to do?

The first thing to do if the child falls and bumps his head is not to panic and frighten the child with your actions even more. Often, after falling and bruising, children cry more from fear and surprise than from pain. If there is only a small bump in the impact area, the child is conscious and quickly calmed down, you need to create an atmosphere of peace around him, as if nothing had happened . Do not let him scream loudly, jump and run a lot, observing his behavior and general condition. The first day is important in assessing injury if a dangerous fall is suspected. There are different types of injuries in their localization, and from this they differ in tactics.

What to do if a child bumps his forehead

Often, when hitting the frontal region, where the tissues are very malleable and richly supplied with blood, bumps appear. It is not dangerous, but it can scare the parents. At the site of injury, small capillaries can burst, causing blood to escape into the tissue, forming a bruise and swelling. There are many subcutaneous vessels in this area, as elsewhere on the face, because of which the edema can be pronounced and strong, but the bone itself is strong enough, so most of these injuries have no consequences . However, the age of the baby is important, if it is a baby of the first months of life, and he has a hematoma on his forehead, it is worth showing the baby to the doctor in order to assess the degree of injury.

What to do if a child hits the back of the head

Falls on the back and blows from the back of the head are more dangerous than previous ones, it is important to show the child to the doctor in case of such an injury, because usually such falls are from a sufficient height.

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With such blows, vision, coordination of movement and other functions can be impaired, in the region of the occipital cortex there are many important centers of the brain. Such a fall with the formation of a lump is especially dangerous if there is a weakness and lethargy of the child, trembling in the legs, etc.

If this happens, you need to immediately call an ambulance. Such injuries in the area of ​​sufficiently soft and pliable bones of the occipital zone can lead to cracks in the skull and concussions, brain contusions.

Traumatic brain injury in children

In the presence of a head injury, it is important to closely monitor the child and identify dangerous symptoms that may indicate the presence. In this case, it is the role of the parents that is great, they know the characteristics of the child well and will immediately notice deviations in his behavior and condition. The gender and age of the child are of relative importance, as opposed to the height from which the child falls. The size of the bruise or the resulting bump does not always correlate with the strength of the injury, as well as the presence or absence of blood and abrasions, skin lesions.

Signs such as are important:

  • Blurred consciousness or loss of consciousness, even if it was short, literally a few seconds.
  • Any inappropriate actions and behavior, abnormal crying and screaming
  • Disturbed falling asleep, unusually long and deep sleep after impact
  • , if the baby is older, attempts to grab the head that do not pass for several hours.
  • Abrupt or profuse regurgitation by a fountain without fever and signs of infection
  • Uncertain gait, staggering to the sides, coordination problems
  • Generalized cramps or twitching of the limbs
  • Severe weakness in an arm or leg, an arm or leg hanging with a whip, movement disorders on one side.
  • The appearance of a bloody or bloody discharge from the ear or nose.
  • Loss of hearing or vision, different size of icons, squint of one or both eyes, impaired muscle tone on the face, sagging part of the face
  • Coldness of the extremities, a sharp change in skin color (redness, pallor, marbling), especially on certain parts of the body.

All of these symptoms indicate brain damage of varying severity.... The appearance of any, even one of them, is a reason for an immediate call for an ambulance and hospitalization in a hospital with a full examination. According to the severity of the injury, head lesions can be divided into concussion, bruising and compression, their clinical symptoms differ, as well as the severity, prognosis for subsequent health and life.

Signs of a concussion in children

It is believed that this is a relatively simple and mild injury (but this is for doctors and its treatment in a hospital). For him, a short-term disturbance of consciousness is typical, his loss for no more than 5 minutes. There may be seizures and vomiting with dizziness. There is no brain damage, it is simply experiencing a kind of shake-up, due to which "interference is induced in the air", that is, the work of certain brain centers or cells is temporarily disrupted. Usually, all brain functions return to normal within a week. The basis of concussion treatment is observation and rest, taking and vitamins.

Signs of a brain injury in children

Brain contusion is a more serious injury, it affects the membranes of the brain and its substance itself, deep subcortical structures, blood vessels with the possible formation of hematomas, the formation of pronounced edema-swelling of the brain. To a large extent, the prognosis and further treatment tactics will be influenced by the fact how long the loss of consciousness lasted. According to the severity of brain injuries, doctors sometimes divide into three stages, based on the duration of the unconscious period. If it is a slight injury, consciousness usually returns within five minutes, with moderate severity, unconsciousness lasts from 10 minutes to an hour (plus or minus), with a severe brain injury, consciousness may not return for several hours, or even days, even weeks - a coma occurs.

What is brain compression in children?

Compression of the brain is usually formed against the background of damage to the bones of the skull, compression is formed inside its cavity, the normal anatomical relationship of the brain, its membranes and bones is disrupted. With such a pathology, there may be vomiting of a cerebral nature due to increased intracranial pressure, periodic loss of consciousness with the manifestation of "bright" gaps. During this time, the child may behave quite normally without showing signs of having a brain problem. They last up to two days, after which a coma may occur.

The consequences of TBI can be different depending on which centers are damaged, and how dangerous the injury was, how the first aid was provided, and then treatment was carried out. In case of contusion and compression of the brain without full medical treatment, a lethal outcome is possible. Therefore, it is important that parents know how to provide first aid, recognize dangerous symptoms and consult a doctor in time without attempting to self-medicate.

Alena Paretskaya, pediatrician, medical columnist

Perhaps there is no such child who has never fallen or hit his head. This is especially true for babies who learn to crawl or walk. At this age, small falls and bruises are inevitable. The task of parents is to provide the child with maximum safety and teach him to correctly coordinate his movements.

However, there are situations where, after falling and hitting the head, a child may experience alarming symptoms, indicating a head injury. In this case, it is necessary to show the child to the doctor as soon as possible. What should be done if your child has fallen and what should be paid attention to first.

How dangerous are head bumps in young children?

Many parents may remember that their children when they were young constantly falling and hitting their heads. After all, at first the baby learns to sit and cannot always maintain balance, then he learns to crawl and walk, he does not always get up dexterously and quickly. And the head, as the heaviest part of the body, takes most of the blows on itself.

Yet this provided by nature, since children have large and small fontanels on their heads, it is thanks to them that the shock is absorbed and does not always pose a danger to the health of the baby. In addition, in younger children, there is more fluid between the bones of the skull and the brain than in adults. It also plays a protective role for the baby.

Therefore, most of the shocks and falls for the child end in safely... However, parents need to know which signs and characteristics of the child's behavior may indicate and require immediate medical attention.

Inspection of the impact site and first aid

If your child falls and bumps his head, the first step is to inspect the impact site and try to qualify the severity of the damage.

  • A lump (hematoma) formed at the site of the impact. In this case, first of all, you should apply a cold compress - this can be any fruit or a bag from the refrigerator, or a bottle of chilled liquid. Try to hold the compress over the bruised area for at least 3-4 minutes to help prevent severe swelling.
  • A wound has formed at the site of the impact and blood flows from the abrasion. Dampen a cotton ball or gauze swab with hydrogen peroxide and apply it to the abrasion to prevent infection. If after ten minutes the blood still hasn't stopped - call an ambulance!
  • There is no visible damage at the impact site... In this case, you only have to carefully monitor the child's condition for 2-3 days and note the behavior that is uncharacteristic for him. It can be excessive, drowsiness, headache complaints, excessive tearfulness, and so on.

Do not give to your baby until a doctor is seen. no pain medications, as this will significantly complicate the examination of the child.

Immediately after the injury, try keep the child awake, since in this case you will not be able to objectively assess his condition.

Provide your child rest, do not play outdoor games. Let the child lie quietly on its side.

Symptoms of anxiety after hitting the head: when to see a doctor

In any case, after any head injury, it is necessary to watch the child, especially carefully - several hours after the blow, and pay attention to his well-being for another two to three days.

What symptoms should you watch out for? If you notice one or more of the listed signs of traumatic brain injury, see your doctor immediately. Of course, this may turn out to be a simple coincidence, but in this case, it is better to play it safe in order not to waste time if the child needs treatment.

  • Drowsiness, lethargy, lethargy
  • Tearfulness uncharacteristic for a child
  • Different pupil sizes of the eyes
  • Episode of loss of consciousness immediately after the impact
  • Vomiting or the child complains about
  • For infants - frequent and uncharacteristic regurgitation
  • Dizziness, inability to maintain balance
  • Tinnitus complaints
  • Blood from nose or ears
  • Lack of appetite or complete refusal to eat
  • Bad disturbing sleep
  • Child's speech or hearing impairment, complaints of poor vision
  • Headache
  • Pallor of the skin
  • Bruising under the eyes

Possible injuries and consequences of head blows in a child

Traumatic brain injuries that a child could have received during a fall are subdivided into open and closed.

TO closed injuries in turn include

  • compression of the brain
  • brain contusion
  • brain concussion

The most serious damage is considered squeezing- in this case, a bruise may be accompanied by rupture of blood vessels, with a bruise there are foci of destruction of the substance of the brain. Shake the brain is the mildest injury. In this case, the brain is not damaged, and at the site of the impact, we can find a hematoma or bruise.

Prevention of head injuries in children (VIDEO)

Children under one year old often fall off their beds, sofas or changing tables. Never leave them unattended at a height from the floor! Even if the child does not yet know how to roll over or crawl, he can reach the edge of the table or bed and fall head first. If the baby already knows how to roll over, crawl, then it is safest to leave him on the floor. Lay him a rug or diaper and put him down if you need to go on business. In this case, you can be sure of its safety. Children fall off the couch most often when their mothers leave them “for just one minute”. Always support your baby with one hand on the changing table. If you need to leave or even turn away for a diaper or powder, take your baby with you.