Being a parent can be stressful, especially when your little ones hurt themselves. Head injuries in a person of any age can be serious. Concussions are common head injuries in children so understanding how to identify and treat them is important for keeping them safe.
Understanding concussions
A concussion is a mild form of brain injury that has typically been caused by a bump or blow to the head. Sometimes a concussion can occur with a jolt to the body which causes the head to move backwards and forwards quickly. Contact sports are renowned for being a common cause of concussions.
Children and young people may be more susceptible to concussions due to their body’s makeup. Neck muscles of under 18s are weaker, so it takes less force to cause an injury than for an adult with stronger muscles. Also, a child’s brain is growing until they are around 18 years old, so at younger ages, the brain is smaller than the skull space. This means that with a blow to the head, the brain has more room to bounce around the skull cavity, causing injury.
Recognising the signs
Whether your child seems unwell or not, concussions should still be something you check for after a brain injury. You must keep observing your child after a blow to the head, even if the symptoms are delayed or seem minor.
If your child exhibits any of these symptoms after a head injury, go to A&E immediately:
- Being unconscious but now awake
- Vomiting
- A headache that is unchanged by painkillers
- A change in behaviour such as irritability or losing interest in things around them
- Excessive crying (more than usual)
- Memory issues
Concussion symptoms may not appear immediately. Typically, they appear within 24 hours but they may not become apparent for up to 3 weeks. You know your child best, so if you have any concerns seek medical advice.
If the head injury happened in a car accident, especially one caused by another driver, it may be worth speaking with a Vegas Car Accident Lawyer or a trusted attorney in your area. They can help you understand your rights and ensure you’re not left to handle medical expenses and other costs on your own.
If there has been a serious accident resulting in bleeding from anywhere on the head, not waking up after being knocked unconscious, or a seizure, contact 999 straight away.
Managing recovery at home
Rest is important for children who have a concussion. It is a common misconception that sleeping with a concussion is bad – sleep is a great way to encourage healing. However, it may be more difficult to check on your child’s symptoms when they are asleep so you could wake them every few hours to check they are OK.
It may be obvious, but children should avoid sports whilst they have a concussion – this also means no rough and tumble at home either!
Your child may require additional recovery support, such as specialist treatment, physiotherapy or rehabilitation. You may be able to make a no-win, no-fee claim for personal injury which can result in payments to help with these costs.
If your child’s symptoms last more than 2 weeks, then speak to your GP for further investigation.
Returning to school
Depending on the severity of the concussion, your child may benefit from a gradual reintroduction to school. School can be exciting and challenging both physically and emotionally, so starting at a few hours a day building up to a full week will allow you to monitor how they are dealing with it.
It is important to inform your child’s teacher of any medical advice so that they can adjust accordingly. They will also be able to help monitor your child when they are on the premises and contact you if there are any concerns.
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