When to see a doctor for a bump on the head
When your child bumps their head, there are signs to watch for to determine when to worry and call the doctor. Remember that young children can’t communicate well, so if in doubt, trust your instincts and call the doctor. For babies under 1, consider calling the physician if there is:
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A bulging soft spot on the top of the head
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More than expected swelling or bruising
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More fussiness or sleepiness than normal
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Vomiting
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Loss of consciousness or ‘fainting’ immediately after hitting their head
Red flags to watch for in older children include:
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Loss of consciousness or fainting after bumping their head
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Confusion, such as not knowing where they are
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Memory loss
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Persistent or increasing dizziness
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Nausea or vomiting
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Sleepiness that is beyond expected
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A change in behaviour – this may be subtle, your child is just not acting normally
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Persistent head or neck pain
“Signs that should prompt you to seek medical advice usually develop in the first 24 hours after the injury, but rarely symptoms can occur as much as 72 hours after head trauma,” Dr. Johnson explains. “So, it is important to watch for warning signs that may indicate a serious injury.”
For any fall, monitor the child carefully for the next 24 hours. It’s okay to wake the child once or twice during the night or during a nap to make sure that he or she wakes easily and is acting normally. However, it is not necessary to prevent a child from taking a nap or falling asleep after a head injury.
