Minor head injury

A minor head injury is an injury to the head, like a bump or a cut, that doesn't cause any serious brain injury. Sometimes it leads to concussion, but not always.

It can be hard to tell a minor head injury from a severe one.

Read about severe head injuries

A minor head injury often leaves a bump or a bruise. You may also notice other symptoms, such as:

• a mild headache
• nausea (feeling sick)
• dizziness
• blurred vision

You or someone else has a head injury and:

• does not respond to their name or a gentle rub on the chest
• cannot stay awake
• has had a seizure (fit)
• has fallen from a height, like 5 or more stairs
• is having problems with their senses, like hearing loss or double vision
• has numbness or weakness in any part of their body
• is struggling to walk, balance, speak, write or understand other people
• hit their head with force, like being hit by a car
• has a head wound with something inside it, like glass
• has signs of damage to their skull, like a dent in their head
• has severe neck pain or cannot move their head

Go to the hospital emergency department if you or someone else has a head injury and:

• is confused or was "knocked out" for any length of time
• has vomited
• has a persistent headache that is not helped by painkillers
• is showing unusual behaviour, like being very irritable or crying more than usual
• has memory loss (amnesia)
• is intoxicated due to alcohol or recreational drugs
• has a blood clotting disorder (haemophilia) or takes blood thinning medicine (like warfarin or apixaban)
• has previously had brain surgery
• has a large bruise or wound to the head or face
• has a black eye
• has blood or clear fluid coming from their ears or nose
• has bruising behind their ears
• the injury wasn't accidental, for example if someone else has hurt a child on purpose

Most people who go to hospital with a minor head injury can go home shortly afterwards. They should make a full recovery within a few days.

There are some things you can do to manage a minor head injury at home. You should:

• have someone stay with you for 24 hours after the injury, to watch for serious symptoms appearing
• get plenty of rest
• avoid stressful or noisy situations
• limit screen time (including smartphones)
• take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with mild pain, following all instructions on the packaging
• use a cold compress (like a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) to help soothe the injury
• keep children with a head injury calm, and encourage them to avoid rough play

It's also recommended that you:

• avoid alcohol or recreational drugs
• avoid sleeping pills, sedatives or tranquillisers (unless prescribed by a medical professional)
• use a barrier (like a tea towel) between a cold compress and your skin
• avoid using a cold compress for longer than 30 minutes, or more often than every 2 hours
• avoid playing contact sports for at least 3 weeks, and follow return to sport guidelines
• avoid returning to work or school until you feel able, as it may increase your recovery period
• avoid driving a car, motorbike, bicycle, or operating machinery, until you have no symptoms that affect your ability to see or think

If your child has a minor head injury, they may cry or be distressed. This is normal, and with attention and reassurance most children will settle down. But seek medical help if your child continues to be distressed despite simple measures like pain relief.

• you still have symptoms 2 weeks after the injury
• you're unsure about driving or returning to sports, work or school

You can't completely avoid injuries, a minor head injury included, but there are some things you can do to lower the risk of a more serious one. You could:

• wear a helmet that fits well when you do activities like cycling
• wear safety equipment when playing contact sports
• clear up any spillages quickly so no one slips
• use safety equipment if you're doing any kind of DIY
• fit safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs for young children
• follow health and safety guidance at work