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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Treat Head Injury In A Child?

hi, My 5 and a half month old baby hit his head on the sharp corner of a wooden table. It hit him just above his eye and seemed to have also scratched him. so in both cases it removed some skin. Should i take him to the doctor and what should I look out for?
Fri, 6 May 2016
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Neurologist, Surgical 's  Response
Hello. Thanks for asking from HCM.


I can understand your concern. As your son has got head injury with wound, you should consult doctor for dressing of wound or need of suture. Simple skin removal does not need any suturing. At home, you can wash wound with clean water and soap or apply savlon/betadine solution if there is any contamination. You should observe him for any signs of dangerous head injury like

; vomiting
; bleed through nose/ear/throat
; loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes or decreasing consciousness
; fits
; onset of new focal deficit
; persistent headache not responding to painkillers
If your son is having any of above feature, you must consult ER as soon as possible.
The doctor will examine him and may prescribe CT head to rule out fracture or brain bleed. Skull fracture is usually managed by conservatively while bleed may require surgical evacuation. Final decision will be made after CT report.

Meanwhile, at home you can
: apply icepacks at injury site in case of swelling
: keep his head at higher level than chest
: in case of bleeding, apply pressure at wound to stop it
: in case of vomiting, turn his head to side
: you can give him painkiller after consulting Paediatrician.


Hope it will help you. Thanks.


Take care.
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Emergency Medicine Specialist Dr. Tim Evans's  Response
Hi. When did this happen. If it was just within the past 24 hours, then I would suggest getting him checked out at your nearest Emergency Department of family doctor, as it can be very difficult to safely assess a baby's condition based on what you describe in your question. However, if your baby is otherwise acting quite normally for him, is alert and happy, feeding and wetting his nappies, with no vomiting, then I would be more reassured. To be safe, if in doubt, get him checked out even just for your own reassurance.
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How To Treat Head Injury In A Child?

Hello. Thanks for asking from HCM. I can understand your concern. As your son has got head injury with wound, you should consult doctor for dressing of wound or need of suture. Simple skin removal does not need any suturing. At home, you can wash wound with clean water and soap or apply savlon/betadine solution if there is any contamination. You should observe him for any signs of dangerous head injury like ; vomiting ; bleed through nose/ear/throat ; loss of consciousness for more than 5 minutes or decreasing consciousness ; fits ; onset of new focal deficit ; persistent headache not responding to painkillers If your son is having any of above feature, you must consult ER as soon as possible. The doctor will examine him and may prescribe CT head to rule out fracture or brain bleed. Skull fracture is usually managed by conservatively while bleed may require surgical evacuation. Final decision will be made after CT report. Meanwhile, at home you can : apply icepacks at injury site in case of swelling : keep his head at higher level than chest : in case of bleeding, apply pressure at wound to stop it : in case of vomiting, turn his head to side : you can give him painkiller after consulting Paediatrician. Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care.