What to do when your child hits their head

Most of the time, falls are not serious and in the place where the head hit, there is usually only a slight swelling, known as a “bump”, or bruise that usually goes away within 2 weeks, meaning there is no need to go to the emergency room. .

In these cases, it is recommended to try to calm the child, observe the child’s behavior for 24 hours and apply a cold compress to the area for around 20 minutes.

However, there are also situations that require greater attention, and the child should be taken to the emergency room, especially if they lose consciousness or are vomiting.

What to do

When a child falls and hits their head, it is advised:

1. Try to calm the childkeeping speech as calm as possible;
2. Observe the child for 24 hours, to see if there is swelling or deformity in any part of the head, as well as unusual behavior;
3. Apply a cold compress or ice on the area of ​​the head where it hit, for about 20 minutes, repeating 1 hour later;
4. Apply an ointmentas hirudoid, for hematoma, in the following days.

Generally, with the application of ice and ointment, the bruise disappears around 2 weeks after the fall. However, if the child has a clotting problem or is undergoing treatment that causes a reduction in platelets, it is necessary to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if the blow was apparently mild, as there is a greater risk of bleeding.

After a child hits their head, call 911 or seek emergency medical attention if any of the following warning situations occur:

• Loss of consciousness;
• Vomiting immediately after the fall or even hours later;
• Excessive crying that does not stop even with affection from the mother;
• Difficulty moving an arm or leg;
• Breathing wheezing or very slow;
• Complaints of altered vision;
• Difficulty walking or loss of balance;
• Purple eyes;
• Changed behavior.

Some of these signs may indicate that the child has suffered a head injury and, therefore, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible to avoid consequences.

In addition, it is advisable to go to the doctor if the child has any bleeding wounds or open wounds, as sutures may be necessary.

It is important not to forget to take the child’s documents, explain exactly what happened and inform the doctors if the child has any type of illness or allergy.

What to do if the child is not breathing

In cases where the child hits their head, becomes unconscious and is not breathing, it is important to follow the following steps:

1. Ask for help: if you are alone, you should ask for help by shouting out loud “I need help! The child is fainted!”
2. Call 911 immediately, notifying what happened, location and name. If another person is nearby, the call for medical emergency must be made by that person;
3. Make airways permeablelaying the child face up on the floor, elevating the chin behind;
4. Take 5 breaths into the child’s mouthto help air reach the child’s lungs;
5. Start cardiac massages, making compression movements in the center of the chest, between the nipples. For babies and children under 1 year old, it is recommended to use both thumbs instead of the hands. See how to do cardiac massage correctly;
6. Repeat 2 breaths into the child’s mouth between every 30 cardiac massages.

Cardiac massage should be continued until the ambulance arrives, the child can breathe again or until exhaustion. If there is another person nearby who feels capable of performing cardiac massages, you can alternate with that person, to rest and be able to maintain compressions for longer.

How to prevent your child from hitting their head

To prevent a fall and prevent the child from hitting their head, it is necessary to take some precautions such as preventing babies from being left alone on the bed, not placing the baby on counters or benches that are too high, supervising young children when they are on softer surfaces. high, such as high chairs or strollers.

It is also important to protect windows with bars and screens, supervise children in places that have stairs and it is necessary to ensure that older children wear helmets when riding bicycles, roller skates or skatesfor example.