A knock, bump, or blow to the head is a common type of injury. Each year over one million people visit hospital with a head injury, with approximately 135,000 being admitted because of the severity of their injury.
The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) define a ‘head injury’ as any trauma to the head, other than shallow injuries on the surface of the face.
For most people, a head injury is usually quite minor. A minor head injury, or a bump, or knock, to the head will not usually result in any permanent damage, and any symptoms are usually mild and short-lived.
As long as someone who sustains a head injury remains conscious, and there is no deep cut or damage to their head (such as broken bone), there will not usually be any damage to the brain. A minor injury will not usually require any specific treatment, apart from rest and close observation.
Children often have minor head injuries
Children are particularly prone to sustaining minor head injuries because they have high energy levels and little sense of danger. However, if you notice that your child's symptoms worsen after a knock, or blow, to the head, you should seek immediate medical assistance.
This is due to the fact that, in some cases, the symptoms of a more severe injury can take time to develop. It is therefore very important that you observe your child closely if they have a bump, or knock, to the head, to check for changes in their symptoms or behaviour.
Be alert to changes in your condition
If you sustain a minor head injury, you should stay with a friend or relative for the first 24 hours, and you should tell them that you have had a head injury. This way they will be aware of any changes in your symptoms.
If you have had a minor head injury, it may have implications for driving. See the 'useful links' section for how to inform the DVLA about medical conditions.
