Minor Head Injury - Injuries & First Aid - NHS Inform

Minor head injury

A minor head injury is an injury (like a bump or a cut) to the head that doesn’t result in any serious brain injury. Sometimes a minor head injury can cause concussion, but this is not always the case.

It can be hard to tell the difference between a minor and a severe head injury.

Read about severe head injuries

Symptoms of minor head injury

Minor head injuries often cause a bump or bruise. Other symptoms of a minor head injury may include:

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

Phone 999 if you or someone else has a head injury and:

• is unresponsive to their name or a gentle chest rub
• 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 A&E 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

Treating a minor head injury

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

There are some things you can do to manage minor head injuries 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 – with attention and reassurance most children will settle down. However, seek medical help if your child continues to be distressed despite simple measures like pain relief.

Contact your GP if:

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

Read more about returning to sports after a head injury

Preventing a minor head injury

Injuries cannot be completely avoided, but there are some steps you can take to help reduce the risk of more serious injury. You could:

• wear a helmet that fits well when doing activities like cycling
• wear safety equipment when playing contact sports
• clear up any spillages quickly to avoid someone slipping
• 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