“My child always bumps his head on something…should I be worried?”
As fellow parents and as ER doctors who work with plenty of families on a daily basis, we hear this question many times each week.
Watching your kid continually bonk their head on walls, floors, toys, and even other toddlers can make any parent’s heart hurt. But don’t worry: it is quite common for an active toddler to child bumps heads a lot, especially when a toddler is just beginning to walk. Typically, severe injuries do not occur when a child falls and conks their head on the floor from a standing or walking position. Obviously, falls from more elevated heights are of greater concern.
However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injuries in kids of all ages, and they’re the number one cause of head injuries in those under age 9. So, it’s better to err on the side of caution when your child bumps their head. You want to eliminate the possibility of a concussion, broken bones, fracture, or brain injury.
Here’s What to Look For When Your Child Bumps His Head…
Take your child to the emergency room if your child bumps head:
- Seems confused
- Has vomited more than once after he bumps their head
- Has a broken bone or abnormal-looking injury
- Has a soft, swollen area on the scalp, especially on the side of the head (above or behind the ear)
- Has blood showing in the whites of their eyes
- Has pinkish fluid or blood draining from their nose or ears
- Is excessively sleepy
- Has changes in how he crawls or walks
- Has signs of headache, dizziness, or weakness
- Has problems with speech, vision, or motor skills
- Has changes in pupil size and unusual eye movements
- Has prolonged periods of crying or screaming, or is inconsolable
*Call 911 immediately if child bumps head and you notice any signs above:
- Loss of consciousness
- Unresponsiveness
- Rapid breathing or no breathing at all
- Bleeding that won’t stop
- Seizures
Hospitality Health ER in Longview and Tyler has board certified emergency physicians ready to treat your emergency.
