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- Asthma
- Bronchiolitis
- Chickenpox
- Colic
- Common Cold
- Constipation
- Cough
- Croup
- Diaper Rash
- Diarrhea
- Ear Infections
- Eye Infections
- Fever in Children
- Fifth Disease
- Fluoride
- Head Injuries
- Head Lice
- Immunizations
- Lead Poisonings
- Lyme Disease
- Nosebleeds
- Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Poison Sumac
- Poisonings
- Scabies
- Sensitive Skin or Eczema
- Sore Throat/Strep Throat
- Thrush
- Vomiting
Caring for Children: Head Injuries
It is important to know when to seek medical attention following a head injury. With a mild head injury, children will remain awake and alert following the event. The child may cry with pain or fright, but should go back to playing as usual within ten to fifteen minutes. Some children may also have some nausea and headache. The child might vomit once or twice. If there is a bump or bruise on the child's head, you should apply a cold compress to keep the swelling down.
Children should be closely observed for 48 hours, even after a minor head injury, to watch for any signs of severe damage. When a serious brain injury does occur, it is usually due to internal bleeding or swelling and symptoms usually show up within one to two days.
Call the pediatrician immediately if your child develops any of the following signs:
- Loss of consciousness: notify the pediatrician if your child loses consciousness at any time after hitting her head. If your child does not awaken within a few minutes, she needs immediate medical attention.
- Excessive drowsiness: your child may well be exhausted by the ordeal surrounding the injury, but should be easily aroused by methods that you would ordinarily employ to awaken him from a deep sleep. You should try to awaken your child once or twice during the first night if there was a hard blow to the head.
- Severe headache: If severe headache occurs (or extreme irritability in an infant), especially if it increases in severity and is not relieved by Tylenol.
- Persistent vomiting: Children will often vomit once or twice following a severe head injury. If vomiting occurs more than twice or begins again hours after it has ceased, call the pediatrician.
- Unsteadiness: any change in your child's mental abilities, coordination, sensation or strength. Call immediately with weakness in arms or legs, unsteady walking, slurred speech, or double vision.
- Pupil inequality: one pupil appears larger than the other.
- Convulsions: if a seizure or convulsion occurs, place the child on one side in a safe place and stay with the child until the seizure begins to subside. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
If you suspect your child has a neck injury, do not attempt to move the child unless the child is in danger of being injured further where he is. Changing the position of the neck might make the injury worse. If possible, wait for the arrival of trained medical personnel.
