First Aid & Emergencies

Head Injury Treatment

• Blood or clear fluids coming from the ears or nose
• Slurred speech
• Unconsciousness, confusion, dizziness, or drowsiness
• Unequal pupil size or blurred or double vision

Unless the airway is blocked, do not move the person until a medical team arrives and checks for a spinal cord injury.

1. Do Hands-Only CPR, if Necessary

If the person is unconscious or not breathing, do ONLY chest compressions.

• For an adult, start adult CPR.
• For a child, start CPR for children.

2. For Mild or Moderate Head Injuries

• To control bleeding, apply clean dressings directly to scalp or facial cuts.
• To control swelling, apply ice for 20 to 30 minutes every 2 to 4 hours.
• For headache, give over-the-counter acetaminophen. Do not use aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory drugs, which can increase the risk of bleeding.

3. When to See a Doctor

See a doctor immediately if the person experiences:

• Increased drowsiness
• Irritability or restlessness
• Loss of strength in the hands or feet
• Persistent vomiting
• Worsening headache

4. Follow Up

• Do not leave the person alone for 24 hours.
• Check the person every 2 hours for alertness.
• Look for new symptoms, such as confusion, vomiting, unequal pupils, or unusual behavior.
• If symptoms persist or get worse, see a doctor. The doctor will do an exam and may do blood tests, an X-ray, a CT or CAT scan, or an EEG.