HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Head injury first aid
Important
Phone 111 for an ambulance if someone has had a knock on the head and:
- is not alert or not responsive
- is bleeding badly from anywhere on their head
- becomes drowsy and starts vomiting
- you suspect a serious head injury.
Stay with them until the ambulance arrives. If they become unconscious, follow these instructions.
Any head injury can be serious, although most are mild.
How do I know if someone has a head injury?
If someone has had a knock to their head look for the signs of head injury. They include:
- feeling dizzy or light-headed
- feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting
- not being able to remember what happened or recent events
- having a headache
- being confused
- leaking blood or watery fluid from their ears or nose
- being unconscious or semi-conscious.
What should I do if someone has a head injury?
- Sit the person down.
- Apply a cold cloth or ice bag wrapped in cloth to the site of their injury.
- If they have a bleeding wound, apply direct firm pressure to the wound to stem the bleeding. DO NOT apply pressure if you suspect a skull fracture.
- Check the person's airway and breathing. If they become unconscious, follow these instructions.
It's best to get the person checked by a doctor after any head injury. See a doctor urgently if their symptoms get worse or if they develop new symptoms.
Also follow the instructions in the ACC leaflet on caring for your child immediately after a head injury.
What happens next?
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed October 2017.
SourceReview key: HIFAD-141030
