child resting on sofa

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).

    These signs include: 

  • 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 
  • Nausea 
  • Dizziness
  • Changes to vision 
  • Difficulties with language and communication 
  • Changes to behaviour or mood.

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

    Take these steps to help your child back at home:

  • Ensure your child is supervised by an adult for the first 24 hours after the head injury.
  • 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.  

The weeks after a bump to the head

5 actions for parents and carers to help the recovery process

1

girl sleeping

Allow your child to rest

Your child should take some time off school and only do easy activities which don’t make their concussion symptoms worse. It is best to limit any activity to 10-15 minute blocks and keep screen time to a minimum. This can then be followed by a gentle re-introduction of cognitive (‘thinking’) and physical activity, such as easy reading and limited screen time.

2

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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 from your GP. Inform people who care for or work with your child or young person of the injury so that they can report any changes and seek help if necessary.

3

pills

Check medication for pain or headaches

A GP may advise giving medication for their symptoms, such as pain relief.

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 after a concussion, but modifications should be made to suit their needs. This might mean a phased return, 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

Call 111 or GP

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. 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.

Concussions commonly occur without loss of consciousness

  • 10%

    Less than 10% 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 10% of cases.

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 at your local Emergency Department 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

Bumps happen

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.

Amelia

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.