Parental Advice To Deal With Head Injuries In Kids

Head injuries are common in toddlers as they tend to bump and fall around the house and on the playground. Older children may hurt them during sports, while cycling, or in unfortunate road mishaps. Fortunately, most head injuries are not as severe as you imagine, but you will probably want to double-check as a parent. The best piece of advice is not to panic when you see your child bleeding and in pain. Your stress will only worsen the situation. Here are some valuable tips that parents can rely on for dealing with head injuries in kids.

Comfort the child

Making the child comfortable should be your top priority, and staying calm is the best way to do it. Provide first aid by bandaging a bleeding wound. If it is only a bump, you can use an ice pack to reduce the swelling and relieve the pain. Avoid moving the child if the injury appears serious, and call experts to provide medical aid and take the kid to the emergency room. Wherever the situation, provide reassurance that everything is fine and you are right there.

Watch out for red flags

A head injury may appear minor, but there could be underlying damage that does not show up immediately. Watch out for red flags like loss of consciousness, vomiting, nausea, confusion, and severe headache. You must seek medical advice sooner than later. The pediatrician may recommend diagnostic tests like an MRI to rule out deep-seated damage. Follow the orders and get all tests and treatments to speed up the recovery process. Waiting and watching at home does not make sense in these situations because timely help can be life-saving.

Follow the doctor's orders

The doctor may prescribe medicines and a few days of rest for the child after a head injury. Follow the orders, even if it means taking a leave from school for a few days. Ask the specialist about sending the child to school and resuming the usual activities. The kid may require rehab and help if the damage is more severe, so get the facts from the doctor. For example, you may have to request the school authorities for considerations like spending fewer hours at school and getting more time to take tests.

Avoid high-risk activities

Life may not be the same for your child after a head injury, and some precautions are often necessary for a few months. You must ensure they avoid high-risk activities such as playing sports, riding a bicycle, and climbing playground equipment. You may even have to skip high-speed amusement park rides until your health care professional allows them to resume normalcy. Anything that may cause another blow, bump, or jolt to the head is risky, so prevent it altogether.

Kids get hurt at home, at school, or the playground, and you cannot do much about mishaps despite the best precautions. But head injuries require more attention than other kinds of injuries because they may have dire implications. Follow these tips, and take a proactive approach to deal with head injuries.