We often hear that the scariest accidents children have are head injuries. Head injuries can be especially frightening because a great deal of blood can gush from a small wound, or a very large lump can result from a minor mishap.

If your child's head is bleeding, wash the wound and then apply pressure to stop the bleeding. Call our office if the bleeding does not stop within 5 minutes or is gaping open and may need stitches. Head injuries may also occur without obvious signs of trauma. Try to determine if your child blacked out or lost consciousness. If no one witnessed the fall, ask your child if he/she remembers all that happened. Check your child every hour for the first six hours following the head injury. If any of the following symptoms should occur, contact your doctor:

• Vomiting more than twice.
• Drowsiness, increased irritability, or change in behavior.
• Persistent headache.
• Blurred or double vision or unequal pupils.
• Dizziness.
• Persistent nausea and vomiting.
• Fluid or blood coming from the ears.
• Weakness or loss of use of any face, arm, or leg muscle.
• Twitching or convulsions.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Changes in respiration—difficulty in breathing, bluish tinge to skin of lips, fingers, or toes.
• Difficulty speaking, slurred or incoherent speech.
• Staggering, clumsy walking. Head injuries are relatively common in childhood, and a parent's close eye and loving concern is needed to determine the severity of injury. If in doubt, call our your doctor or your local emergency room.