Head Injury
Advice for parents and carers of children
If your child has any of the following during the next 48 hours:
- Vomits repeatedly i.e. more than twice (at least 10 minutes between each vomit)
- Becomes confused or unaware of their surroundings
- Loses consciousness, becomes drowsy or difficult to wake
- Has a convulsion or fit
- Develops difficulty speaking or understanding what you are saying
- Develops weakness in their arms and legs or starts losing their balance
- Develops problems with their eyesight
- Has clear fluid coming out of their nose or ears
- Does not wake for feeds or cries constantly and cannot be soothed
You need urgent help
Go to the nearest Hospital Emergency (A&E) Department or phone 999
If your child has any of the following during the next 48 hours:
- Develops a persistent headache that doesn’t go away (despite painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen)
- Develops a worsening headache
You need to contact a doctor or nurse today
Please ring your GP surgery or contact NHS Wales 111
If your child:
- Is alert and interacts with you
- Vomits, but only up to twice
- Experiences mild headaches, struggles to concentrate, lacks appetite or has problems sleeping
- If you are very concerned about these symptoms or they go on for more than 2 months, make an appointment to see your GP.
Self Care
Continue providing your child’s care at home. If you are still concerned about your child, ring your GP surgery or contact NHS Wales 111
- Ensure that they have plenty of rest initially. A gradual return to normal activities/school is always recommended.
- Increase activities only as symptoms improve and at a manageable pace.
- It is best to avoid computer games, sporting activity and excessive exercise until all symptoms have improved.
- Symptoms of concussion include mild headache, feeling sick (without vomiting), dizziness, bad temper, problems concentrating, difficulty remembering things, tiredness, lack of appetite or problems sleeping – these can last for a few days, weeks or even months. Some symptoms resolve quickly whilst others may take a little longer.
- Concussion can happen after a mild head injury, even if they haven’t been “knocked out”.
- 9 out of 10 children with concussion recover fully, but some can experience long term effects, especially if they return to sporting activities too quickly. It is really important that your child has a gradual return to normal activities and that they are assessed by a doctor before beginning activities that may result in them having another head injury.
- If you are very concerned about these symptoms or they last longer than 2 months, you should seek medical advice from your doctor.
- Don’t allow your child to return to school until you feel that they have completely recovered.
- Try not to leave your child alone at home for the first 48 hours after a significant head injury
- Repeated head injury during recovery from concussion can cause long term damage to a child’s brain.
- Expect to stay off sport until at least 2 weeks after symptoms are fully recovered.
- Always discuss with your child’s school and sports club to discuss a gradual return to full activity.
For further information:
Rugby: Click here.
Football: Click here.
Visit the Child Brain Injury Trust website:
This guidance is written by healthcare professionals from across Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.
NHS 111 Wales
Website: NHS 111 Wales
NHS 111 Wales (Option 2) telephone service is available 24/7 and can be used for urgent mental health advice and support.
Meic
Website: www.meiccymru.org
Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Chat online, freephone 080880 23456, or text 84001.
C.A.L.L. Community Advice Listening Line
Website: www.callhelpline.org.uk
Provides a confidential mental health listening and emotional support line which is open 24/7. Call 0800 132 737 or text ‘help’ to 81066.
Shout
Website: www.giveusashout.org
Text ‘shout’ to 85258 anytime, day or night.
Childline
Website: www.childline.org.uk
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Samaritans
Website: www.samaritans.org/wales/samaritans-cymru/
Call 116 123 free, anytime, day or night.
Papyrus
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am–midnight every day.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) for men
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Need help? Call our helpline 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year on 0800 58 58 58.
DAN 24/7 - Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline
Website: www.dan247.org.uk/
Freephone 0808 808 2234, or text DAN to 81066.
NHS 111 Wales
Website: NHS 111 Wales
NHS 111 Wales (Option 2) telephone service is available 24/7 and can be used for urgent mental health advice and support.
Meic
Website: www.meiccymru.org
Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Chat online, freephone 080880 23456, or text 84001.
C.A.L.L. Community Advice Listening Line
Website: www.callhelpline.org.uk
Provides a confidential mental health listening and emotional support line which is open 24/7. Call 0800 132 737 or text ‘help’ to 81066.
Shout
Website: www.giveusashout.org
Text ‘shout’ to 85258 anytime, day or night.
Childline
Website: www.childline.org.uk
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Samaritans
Website: www.samaritans.org/wales/samaritans-cymru/
Call 116 123 free, anytime, day or night.
Papyrus
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINEUK. We are open 9am–midnight every day.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) for men
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Need help? Call our helpline 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year on 0800 58 58 58.
DAN 24/7 - Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline
Website: www.dan247.org.uk/
Freephone 0808 808 2234, or text DAN to 81066.
- Try to stay calm.
- Tell them you are there for them and that you are not upset or angry.
- Tell them you are pleased they have told you they are having thoughts of harming themselves and that you are able to help them through this time.
- Listen to what they are saying even if they are venting anger or other negative emotions at you.
- Listen without interrupting.
- Validate their thoughts and feelings – they are real and important.
- Try to be emotionally available and present for your child.
- Once things appear to be settling please encourage your child to relax as the day/ evening progresses and make some suggestions for things you can do together to distract them from their thoughts (see below for some ideas).
- Try to proactively manage any potential conflicts or arguments within your immediate environment.
- Be mindful of excessive use of mobile devices but that young people really need to feel connected to others at times of distress.
If you are concerned that your child/ young person is at risk of harming themselves, please ensure the following:
- All medications (prescribed/ over the counter/ vitamins) are removed and/ or locked in a strong lockable medical box or locked cupboard. Medication needs to be stored in this way in all houses where the young person stays, including grandparents, foster carers, step parents and residential homes.
- All sharp objects, such as knives and razor blades, to be removed and/ or stored securely.
- Ensure the young person has not got a stock of medication or sharp objects in their room or amongst their property.
- Other environmental risks in your home should be considered, e.g. removing ropes, ties, dressing gown ties.
- Do not allow your child/ young person to go out alone or with friends during times of distress and when they are voicing thoughts of self-harm or suicide.
- Monitor your child/ young person’s mood and behaviour closely.
- Increase your presence and supervision of your child at home, if needed remaining awake or checking on them during the night.
- Ask them about thoughts of self-harm and suicide.
- Look out for any warning signs in your child/ young person that they might be struggling.
- Distract yourself - watch a film or TV programme, play a computer game that absorbs your mind, or read a book you’re really interested in
- Get creative – drawing, mindful colouring, taking photos, listening to music, singing
- Get moving – walk, run, dance, do an exercise or yoga video
- Comfort yourself – have bubble bath or shower, eat something you like, stroke a pet, cuddle up tightly in a blanket, rock/ hug yourself, spray a favourite perfume
Alternatives to self-harm when the urge to harm is very strong:
- Hold ice in your hand for as long as you can
- Step under a cold shower briefly
- Run your hands under cold water
- Snap an elastic band against your wrist
- Hit a cushion against the wall or bed
- Punch a punch bag or pillow
- Go for a fast paced walk or run up and down the stairs several times
- Tear or scrunch up paper