Head Trauma, First Aid 

Injuries to the head can involve any or all parts of the head: the scalp, skull, brain, spinal fluid, and blood vessels. Head trauma can be internal or external, or both. External injuries can cause a fractured skull. An internal injury, such as the brain hitting the inside of the skull, can cause bleeding within the skull.

A blow severe enough to affect the head is also likely to affect the neck. When dealing with head trauma, it is of utmost importance to take care for potential neck/spinal injury.

First Aid Guide
If you suspect either a serious head injury or a neck injury, contact emergency medical services. In the case of a potential neck injury, it is very important to not move the person unless it is absolutely necessary. The following first aid steps should be taken while awaiting emergency medical care:

1. Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation.
2. Encourage the person to lie still if he/she is conscious; if the person is unconscious, stabilize his/her head and neck by holding your hands on either side of the head and preventing any movement.
3. If there is any bleeding, attempt to stop it.
   • For any superficial trauma to the scalp, use a clean bandage and apply direct pressure.
   • For a suspected fractured skull, cover the wound with a clean bandage without applying pressure. Note: Do not attempt to remove any foreign object that may be in the wound.
4. If the person vomits, as is common after head trauma, attempt to protect his/her airway so he/she does not choke or inhale it.
   • If the person is conscious and neck injury is not suspected, lean him/her forward and place support on the person's forehead.
   • If the person is conscious and neck injury is suspected, support his/her neck and head, and roll the person to the side.
   • If the person is unconscious, assume the person has a neck injury, and support his/her neck and head, and roll the person to the side.
5. If there are signs of swelling on the head, apply ice.

In the case of a suspected minor head injury, such as a bump on the head in the case of a child, apply ice to the area of swelling, and observe the person for at least 24 hours. Symptoms may be delayed in some cases of serious head trauma. The following should be followed during observation:

• Ask the person what their symptoms are, if possible.
• If the person wants to sleep, allow him/her to do so, but wake the person every 2–3 hours and check for alertness by asking questions such as what their address or phone number is.
• Have the person eat easy-to-digest foods and avoid nonprescription medications.
• Continue to observe the person for signs of more serious injury (ie, vomiting more than once, confusion, severe headache, stiff neck, excessive drowsiness, or otherwise behaving abnormally).

Note: Do not allow the person to drink alcohol within 48 hours of the head trauma.