Talking to your child and others about a bump to the head
Reassure your child or teenager to help them explain any symptoms you or their teacher should know about.
The first few days after an injury
Signs to look out for and actions to take after a bump to the head.
Signs of concussion
Over the first few days, there are certain things to look out for that could be signs of concussion (for younger children, see Babies and toddlers - bumps to the head).
- Fatigue (a feeling of constant tiredness or weakness; this is more than feeling sleepy or drowsy)
- Memory loss
- Feeling confused
- Struggling with planning and processing information
- Headaches
- Sickness
- Changes to balance
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Changes to vision
- Difficulties with language and communication
- Changes to behaviour or mood.
These signs include:
It is tricky to identify many of the signs of concussion in younger children – please see our Babies and toddlers - bumps to the head section for more information.
The first 24 hours
- Try to provide a calm and quiet environment. A head injury can affect the way children process what’s going on and they may feel overwhelmed if there is a lot happening or people visiting.
- Give your child plenty of time to rest and to heal – they may be very tired. Your child may have difficulty remembering or thinking clearly in these early stages.
- Try to limit the amount of screen time, music, noise and movement around the child.
- Try to make sure there isn’t more than one thing happening at a time. Too much going on can be confusing.
- Speak to your child in a calm voice and allow time for them to respond.
- Try to answer questions as best as you can with simple and direct answers. Be patient. You may have to remind your child what has happened.
Take these steps to help your child back at home:
The weeks after a bump to the head
5 actions for parents and carers to help the recovery process
1
Allow your child to rest
Some time off school can be a huge benefit to a child or young person who has suffered a concussion. Excessive physical activity should be avoided for 24-48 hours. A brief rest should then be followed by a gentle re-introduction of cognitive (‘thinking’) and physical activity.
2
Observe your child for any changes that are noticeably different to usual
Look out for any changes in behaviour or difficulty in concentrating following a brain injury in the first few days. If changes occur, you should seek medical advice. Ensure that people around the child or young person are aware of the injury so that they can seek help if necessary.
3
Check medication for pain or headaches
A GP may advise that a child may need medication for their symptoms, such as pain.
4
Plan a gradual return to school and activities
It’s advised that children don’t need to be completely symptom-free to start the process of going back to school but modifications should be made to suit their needs following the concussion. This might mean longer breaks or shorter days. If school and activities bring on new symptoms or make current ones worse, you should limit the amount the child takes part in.
5
Trust your instincts and ask questions
Don’t be afraid or embarrassed about getting more help, even if a GP or doctor has given the ‘all clear’. If you feel that something isn’t quite right with your child following a concussion or possible concussion, get further help from the GP or call 111 to explain your concerns. It’s often people closest to the child who realise that they are acting differently, or suffering from the effects of concussion, and they need further support in their recovery. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, however trivial they might seem. Write questions down when you think of them.
Concussion: in numbers
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14%
Less that 14% of concussions lead to a loss of consciousness
It is important to remember that a person doesn’t have to lose consciousness for them to have had a concussion. They may remain conscious, but feel dazed or have other symptoms. Recent research suggests that a loss of consciousness is found to be a symptom in less than 14% of cases.
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3x
3x longer to recover
Research suggests that children and young people can take three times longer to recover from a concussion than adults.
What happens if there is another head injury?
The risk of sustaining a concussion is four times greater in children with a previous concussion compared with those with no history of concussion. A repeat concussion can lead to more severe signs and symptoms, a longer recovery time, and the child's movements and actions may be reduced.
If your child has a second head injury seek urgent medical attention and make sure you mention previous head injuries.
Seek Medical Advice
If your child has a head injury we recommend seeking medical advice as soon as possible after the injury (call 111, your GP or in an emergency 999).
Explore our site
Explore our Bumps Happen information
Most head injuries are not serious but bumps do happen. Find your way around our information - we share the signs to look out for, and steps to take, in case your child has had a concussion.
Contact our specialists
Looking for further advice and support? If your child’s symptoms persist longer than six weeks and you would like support from one of our specialists, contact our virtual ABI team.
