$minor skull fracture$ $minor skull fracture$

It is important to keep the injured person’s head in line with their neck. In cases where there is a spinal injury, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. reporting unusual tingling sensations in the limbs or an absence of any sensation, including pain.body lying in an awkward, unnatural position.Signs and symptoms of spinal injuries may include: It can even occur from a standing height fall in the elderly. In elderly people, the force required to cause neck injuries is much less than in younger people. Spinal injuriesĪ person who has sustained a head injury may have also injured their spine. Most importantly, be alert for symptoms over the first 3 days days, such as repeated vomiting, loss of coordination, bad or worsening headaches, repetitive questions, agitation or drowsiness despite analgesia (pain-relieving medication). Your doctor or hospital will provide advice for you and your family regarding your ongoing care when being discharged for home. Symptoms of concussion can persist for up to 3 months or longer after trauma. It is a diagnosis made by a doctor when it is certain a more serious head injury has not occurred. If the person stops breathing or has no pulse, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) may be required.Ĭoncussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that follows some trauma to the head.If the person’s breathing becomes impaired due to a problem with their airway, you may need to very carefully tilt their head back (and support it) until normal breathing returns. You should monitor their airway and breathing until the arrival of an ambulance.Your role is to protect the injured person from any potential dangers at the scene.A good rule is that if the head is injured, the neck may be injured too. Any unnecessary movement may cause greater complications to the head injury itself, the spine or other associated injuries. The person should not be moved unless they are in immediate danger.Reassure the person and try to keep them calm.įirst aid when the injured person is unconscious.While examining the wound, avoid disturbing blood clots forming in the hair.Scalp injuries can bleed profusely, so control any significant blood loss from head wounds with direct pressure and a dressing.Encourage the injured person to minimise any movement of their head or neck.First aid when the injured person is conscious In cases where there is a serious head injury, always call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Nausea and vomiting – these are common side effects of serious head injury and should always be considered important if they persist.The person may complain of double or blurred vision.

$minor skull fracture$

Vision changes – the pupils of the eyes may be dilated (enlarged) and be different sizes in a person with a serious head injury.Black eyes and bruised skin behind the ears – this indicates that the force of the blow was sufficient to rupture blood vessels around the eyes and ears.Clear fluid from the ears or nose – a skull fracture, especially a fracture to the base of the skull, can allow cerebrospinal fluid to leak from the ears or nose.Skull deformities – compressions or deformities are signs of fracturest.They may also change by improving for a while and deteriorating again later. Altered consciousness – for example, the person may lose consciousness for short or longer periods or may be conscious again, but confused or drowsy.Apart from wounds, other symptoms of serious head injury can include: Symptoms of a head injuryīeing able to see blood is not a reliable indicator of the seriousness of a head injury. If this occurs, it may cause a rise in the intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull) which may lead to permanent damage. The kinetic energy of a small knock to the head or face can be absorbed by the cerebrospinal fluid, but a hard impact can bruise the brain or tear blood vessels. This fluid acts as a shock absorber, but its protective value is limited. The brain doesn’t fill the skull entirely – it floats in a clear, nourishing liquid called cerebrospinal fluid. The soft, jelly-like brain is protected by the skull. closed – no visible signs of injury to the face or head.open – with bleeding wounds to the face or head.That’s why all head injuries are considered serious and should be assessed by your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department.Īlways call triple zero (000) for an ambulance in an emergency. A hard blow to the head can injure the brain or spinal cord even when there are no visible signs of trauma to the scalp or face.

$minor skull fracture$

Minor skull fracture