Overview
A head injury is any injury to the scalp, skull, or brain. It can happen after a fall, blow, collision, sports impact, or other trauma. Some injuries are mild, but others can cause bleeding, swelling, or damage inside the skull. Because symptoms may change over time, close observation is important after any significant blow to the head.
Key Symptoms
Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, balance problems, sleepiness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light or noise. A person may also have a bump, cut, or bruising on the head or face. More serious warning signs include loss of consciousness, worsening headache, repeated vomiting, seizure, unusual behavior, weakness, trouble speaking, unequal pupils, or difficulty waking up. In infants and young children, warning signs may include constant crying, poor feeding, vomiting, unusual sleepiness, or a bulging soft spot.
Causes and Risk Factors
Common causes include falls, road traffic crashes, sports injuries, workplace accidents, violence, and being struck by an object. Risk is higher when seat belts, child restraints, or helmets are not used where appropriate. Alcohol or drug use can increase the chance of injury and may make symptoms harder to notice. Previous head injury, older age, and medicines that affect bleeding can also increase concern after a hit to the head.
Who Is Affected
Head injuries can affect people of any age. Young children may be injured during play or falls, while teenagers and adults may be injured in sports, road traffic crashes, or work-related events. Older adults have a higher risk of serious complications after falls. People taking blood-thinning medicines need careful medical assessment after a head injury.
Prevention
Prevention includes using seat belts, appropriate child car restraints, helmets for activities where head protection is recommended, and making homes safer to reduce falls. Good lighting, handrails, and removing tripping hazards can help protect older adults and young children. Following sports safety rules and using workplace protective equipment also lowers risk. Avoiding alcohol or drugs before driving, cycling, or operating machinery is important.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional will ask how the injury happened and check alertness, memory, balance, pupils, and other nerve-related signs. They may also examine the scalp and skull for cuts, swelling, or tenderness. Some people need imaging such as a CT scan to look for bleeding or fracture, especially if they have high-risk symptoms or risk factors. Children and older adults may be assessed using age-specific guidance.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on how severe the injury is. Minor injuries may need observation, rest, wound care, and follow-up advice from a healthcare professional. More serious injuries may require emergency monitoring, imaging, treatment in hospital, or surgery. A person with a possible neck injury should be moved as little as possible unless there is immediate danger.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care after a head injury if there was loss of consciousness, confusion, memory loss, severe headache, vomiting, or if the person is very young, older, pregnant, or taking medicines that affect bleeding. Medical review is also important if symptoms are getting worse or not improving, or if there is concern about concussion. A head injury with a deep cut, possible broken bone, or ongoing bleeding also needs prompt evaluation. If you are unsure, it is safer to contact a local healthcare service.
When It May Be an Emergency
Call emergency services right away for trouble waking up, seizure, repeated vomiting, severe or worsening headache, weakness, numbness, trouble speaking, unusual behavior, breathing problems, or fluid or blood coming from the nose or ears after a head injury. Emergency help is also needed if the person loses consciousness, has a suspected neck injury, or was injured in a high-speed crash or major fall. Babies and older adults with concerning symptoms need urgent assessment. Do not leave the person alone if serious symptoms are present.