What is a head injury?

A head injury is a blow or knock to the head. It can be mild, resulting in a small lump or bruise, or it can be more serious, leading to brain injuries such as concussion or bleeding on the brain.

Head injuries can be serious even if you can’t see them. They can lead to permanent disability, or even death. It can be hard to know how serious the injury is when it first happens. You may feel well and act normally, but become unwell later.

A general rule is the more forceful the impact, the more likely there is a severe injury.

If you have a head injury you should see a doctor.

What are the symptoms of a head injury?

Symptoms of a minor head injury without concussion include:

• a bump or bruise
• no vomiting
• being alert
• interacting with others

These head injuries can usually be monitored at home and if any new symptoms develop then you should see a doctor.

Concussion is a head injury that affects how the brain works, usually temporarily. You may have passed out or be confused.

It can include symptoms such as:

• headache
• nausea and dizziness
• vision changes
• poor balance
• difficulty remembering things or thinking slowly
• changes in sleep
• changes in emotion including anxiety, irritability and sadness

Go to the emergency department straight away or call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if you have a head injury and:

• vomit more than once or are unable to control your bowel or bladder
• have trouble seeing, hearing or speaking normally
• have a headache which is getting worse or won’t go away
• are confused, have trouble remembering things or are not able to stay awake during the day
• have bleeding or fluid coming from the ear or nose
• have a seizure, blackout or feel like you will faint
• have weakness or numbness anywhere in your body

Signs of a serious head injury can start later, even after you go home from hospital.

You should also see your doctor if:

• you develop any other new symptoms
• you are concerned

When should I call an ambulance or go to the emergency department?

You should always watch anyone who has had a head injury closely. Even if the person seems okay, they could develop complications later.

Call an ambulance on triple zero (000) if:

• the head injury involved high speeds or a fall from more than one metre
• the person has a severe or worsening headache or neck pain
• the person loses consciousness or seems drowsy, agitated or restless
• the person is confused, disorientated or has memory loss
• the person vomits more than once after hitting their head
• the person has a seizure (fit)
• the person has weakness or tingling in their arms or legs

What should I do while waiting for an ambulance?

If the person is unresponsive, with no signs of breathing or circulation, start CPR.

If they are conscious, place them in a comfortable position with the head and shoulders slightly raised. Carefully support their head and neck — do not twist or bend the neck as you move them.

If they are bleeding, put firm pressure on the wound. If you are worried about a broken skull use gentle pressure. If they are wearing a helmet, don’t remove it, wait for the paramedics.

What are the causes of head injuries?

Causes of head injuries include:

• car accidents
• sports injuries
• accidents at home
• accidents at work
• assaults
• falls

How is a head injury treated?

If you go to the hospital, you may be given medicine for pain and nausea or vomiting. Your health team will monitor your condition to make sure you are not becoming more unwell. You may have a CT scan of the brain or neck.

If you are at home, to help your recovery you should rest quietly and limit your reading and screen time. You can use icepacks on painful areas and take paracetamol, but not other pain medicines. Someone should stay with you for 24 hours.

Do not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after a head injury. Do not drink alcohol, take sleeping pills or drugs for at least 48 hours. They can make you feel worse and if your symptoms change, make it hard to tell if it is your brain injury getting worse or the substance affecting.

Ask your doctor if you should continue taking your prescription medicines normally.

You should not play sport for at least 48 hours. You may need to take time off work or study or adjust your hours until you are feeling better. Children should return to school and sport in stages.

If you are not sure, talk to your doctor.

Can head injuries be prevented?

You can prevent head injuries by:

• always wearing a seatbelt or the appropriate child restraint
• following the rules of your sport
• driving safely
• wearing a helmet when you’re on a bicycle, skiing or playing contact sports
• preventing falls with good lighting and removing tripping hazards

Make sure you recover from your head injury before returning to activities where you could be injured. A second injury can worsen the damage.

Are there complications of head injuries?

Most adults recover from a mild head injury within 2 days, but you may have symptoms for 10 days. Children may have symptoms for 4 weeks after the injury, including getting more tired from their usual activities.

If you have ongoing symptoms or concerns, see your doctor.

Resources and support

You can call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Synapse has resources and support for people with brain injury and their carers.

The Royal Children’s Hospital has a website about head injury in children.

The HeadCheck app can be used at home to monitor your child’s symptoms and recovery.

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Connectivity has videos about reducing the risk of traumatic brain injury for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

Information sheets on mild head injury in many community languages can be downloaded from the NSW Emergency Care Institute.