Page 164 - (DK) Home Doctor: Providing practical advice on home treatments

162 FIRST AID

Head injuries

All head injuries are potentially serious. A blow to the head may
WARNING
cause a bruise or scalp injury and sometimes a concussion, a brief
period of unconsciousness. There is a risk of an underlying skull Call 911 immediately if:
fracture, as well as compression of the brain from bleeding inside ● There is severe bleeding and/or
blood or watery fluid is leaking
the skull or swelling of injured brain tissues. Symptoms, such as
from the ears or nose
intense headaches, noisy, slow breathing, and drowsiness, may ● A victim loses consciousness
develop hours or even days after the injury. Anyone with a head
injury should also be treated for a potential neck (spinal) injury.

What you can do yourself
PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE
You should seek medical advice for all head
injuries, even if they are apparently minor. Treating a scalp wound
Bleeding from a scalp wound is often profuse
● For a scalp wound, try to stem any bleeding and
because the area has many small blood vessels.
dress the injury (see PRACTICAL TECHNIQUE, right).
For this reason, a scalp injury may look more serious
● If there has been a minor blow to the head than it is. If you are in any doubt about the severity
but there is no bleeding, apply a cold compress of a wound, seek medical advice.
(a towel soaked in cold water and wrung out)
to reduce swelling and bruising. Wear disposable gloves
if available, or wash
● If the victim has a concussion, he or she may feel 1 your hands thoroughly.
sick and dizzy and have a headache. Make sure Cover the injury with
that the victim rests, even if he or she seems a clean pad or sterile
to have recovered, and seek medical advice. dressing, pressing
firmly on the wound to
● If the victim is conscious but you suspect a more control the bleeding.
serious head injury, help him or her lie down in a
comfortable resting position. Keep the back and
neck as still as possible and don’t turn the head.
Ask simple questions. If he or she seems confused
or has difficulty speaking, call 911.
Bandage the dressing
● If the victim becomes unconscious (see firmly in place. If any
UNCONSCIOUSNESS, p.168), call 911. Monitor 2 blood seeps through
the victim’s pulse, breathing, and level of response it, apply a second
regularly until medical help arrives or until he or dressing on top of
she has recovered. the first. If bleeding
continues, remove
● If the victim stops breathing, lift the jaw both dressings and
very carefully to open the airway and begin CPR apply a fresh one.
(see pp.170–171).
● After a head injury, watch for symptoms such
as headaches, weakness, unequal pupil size, and
confusion in the hours and days after the injury.
Seek immediate medical help if symptoms develop.