First Aid & Safety Tips
If the recipient of the bump is a child, utmost care needs to be taken by the caregiver dispensing first aid in not alarming the child, remaining calm and reacting quickly and effectively. Learning basic skills in first aid can help minimize injuries and save lives many a time.
A bump on the head- what to watch out for
All of us are familiar with favorite cartoon characters getting a bump on the head and surviving for another round of laugh-a-minute antics; however, that only happens in animated life. In real life, a bump on the head can result in a concussion when we sustain a blow to the head or neck. A concussion is a temporary disturbance of brain function that can result in serious brain injury. If someone you know suffers a head injury, watch for the warning signs of concussion, which include any instances of:
- Partial/complete loss of consciousness.
- Shallow breathing.
- Feelings of/actually occurring nausea or vomiting.
- The patient reporting feelings of dizziness or ‘seeing stars’.
- Any loss of memory reported by the patient after the bump on the head and him/her losing track of it ever having occurred.
Hidden risks with a bump on the head: concussion concerns
- Concussions can have hidden risks and the patient may feel that he/she has recovered from the bump on the head but such a knock can mean a more serious injury, such as compression also. Therefore, after the first aid has been dispensed with, it is important to advise the patient to seek immediate medical help. As compared to adults, head injury occurs more often in young children than grown ups. This is because in smaller children, the movement of the heads is not as controlled as in adults and heads are larger in relation to their bodies, which makes a child’s center of gravity closer to the head. This is the reason why bumper-pads are put (for cushioning) in cribs for babies so they do not knock their head on the wooden/metal slats of their cots.
- A bump on the head and the implications of it are dependent on the force with which the injury occurred. If there has been a high-energy injury to the head, there is a greater likelihood that a serious injury has occurred. In such an instance, it is important to assess the child for signs of a serious head injury. The child needs to be observed for carefully for 24 hours after a head injury to see whether he or she develops any signs of a serious head injury.
- Wrapping a few ice cubes in a washcloth and apply to the bruised area is the first step. A packet of frozen vegetables from the freezer does the trick equally well.
- The first aid giver needs to check for any other injuries on other parts of the body. Any difficulty breathing, shock, spinal injuries and severe bleeding are all life-threatening injuries that may occur along with a head injury and require immediate medical attention.