What to do after a blow to the head?

6 minutes to read

A doubt that many people share is what to do when you get hit in the head. After all, the skull protects the brain, a very delicate organ that plays an important role in the activities of the entire body.

That’s why it’s essential to pay attention to the signs that someone shows right after being hit in the head. Some symptoms serve to warn that something more serious may be happening. In any case, looking for a doctor is always an important action.

In this post, find out what precautions to take after a blow to the head.

What precautions are needed when hitting your head?

From now on, it is worth reinforcing the importance of medical care, even if everything is apparently fine. With it, it is possible to carry out tests to verify that there was no sequelae or trauma resulting from the blow to the head, and that it went unnoticed.

In addition, there are some precautions that can help provide the best support possible for a person who has hit their head. Check out!

Open your eyes and answer basic questions

The first step is to check if the person can open their eyes. Seeing that she reacted, it’s time to ask basic questions, to ensure that cognition and memory were not affected.

Questions such as the name of the person and the current date, which are not difficult to answer, can be asked to ensure more peace of mind or signal an urgency.

If the individual does not show reactions or does not know how to answer simple questions, this is an emergency sign and should be sent to the emergency room as soon as possible.

Do not sleep

It is not recommended to let a person sleep after hitting their head, even if they are drowsy. At least, not until you get medical attention and you’re sure you’re really okay.

This is an important step in the first few hours to check that no new head banging symptoms have developed. If no other warning signs appear and sleep comes naturally after a while, the person can sleep without any problem.

Avoid sudden movements

It is common for some people to try to shake victims who have hit their heads to get them to respond. Keep in mind that this is a move that should never be performed after a swing. It is also important not to let the individual move too fast right after the crash.

Sudden movements can cause serious injuries, which damage neurons and generate internal bruises. Even increased intracranial pressure can happen, along with swelling of the brain, leading to further complications.

do not medicate

Self-medication or the use of over-the-counter medication is not recommended under any circumstances. Some people may think of giving sedatives, for example, to calm the victim, but know that this should not be done.

The best thing to do is seek medical attention right away. After carrying out the necessary tests to check that everything is ok, the professional may prescribe some medication to deal with the pain in the head, in case it is still bothering the person who took the blow.

What are the warning signs after a blow to the head?

It’s important to know that some signs are normal after incidents like these. A symptom that may arise is the famous rooster. Slight swelling in the affected region may be normal, but it is always important to seek medical follow-up to be sure about possible serious injuries. Lumps that are too large can be warning signs and need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Learn more about the main warning signs below.

severe headache

Light beats can generate a headache in the area that was hit. On the other hand, if this discomfort is intense, you need to see a doctor quickly.

Any kind of severe pain, particularly in the head, requires emergency care. Therefore, be sure to take the victim of the stroke to a hospital or emergency room.

Weakness or dizziness

Feeling the body or any member very weak after a while after hitting the head indicates that some region of the brain may have been affected. Dizziness after a blow to the head, at least in the first few seconds, is another worrying sign.

bleeding

Any liquid — especially blood — coming out of the nose, mouth, ears or eyes after someone has been hit in the head is a big warning sign.

Bleeding means that a blood vessel has ruptured, which requires a deeper analysis and probably a head CT scan in order to verify the severity of the condition.

Mental confusion

In the first few seconds after hitting your head, it’s normal to feel a slight confusion. However, if this persists or the person is unable to answer simple questions, there may be a serious problem.

fainting

Loss of consciousness is another symptom that can happen when you hit your head, especially when the blow is strong. This is one of the signs of a concussion—and, again, there is a need to get the victim to medical attention as quickly as possible.

seizures

Some people can also have seizures after being hit in the head, even if they don’t have epilepsy or another condition. This is a sign that the blow has affected the brain. When a seizure occurs, the individual thrashes involuntarily and, in some cases, there is leakage of urine.

As seen, a blow to the head is not always something peaceful and can have serious consequences, such as trauma. Therefore, in the presence of any of the warning signs, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

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Technical review: Alexandre R. Marra, researcher at the Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein (IIEP) and permanent professor at the Graduate Program in Health Sciences at the Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein (FICSAE).