Head injury first aid
How to tell if someone has a head injury
If someone has had a knock to their head, they may have obvious signs of an injury to their head or face such as bleeding and bruising. Other signs of a head injury include:
- feeling dizzy or light-headed
- feeling sick (nausea) or throwing up (vomiting)
- not being able to remember what happened or recent events
- having a headache, which can be severe
- being confused
- leaking blood or watery fluid from their ears or nose
- being unconscious or semi-conscious
- blurred or double vision.
Helping someone who has a head injury
- Sit the person down.
- Apply a cold cloth or ice wrapped in a cloth to the site of their injury.
- If they have a bleeding wound, apply direct firm pressure to the wound to stem the bleeding. Do not apply pressure if you suspect a skull fracture.
- Check the person's airway and breathing. If they become unconscious, but are breathing, there are ways to help them.
Helping someone who is unconscious but breathing — HealthInfo (external link)
Getting medical help
It is best to get the person checked by a doctor after any head injury. This is especially important if they have a severe headache, had any loss of consciousness or have a concussion.
See a doctor urgently if their symptoms get worse or if they develop new symptoms.
ACC has more advice about how to recognise concussion on the sports field.
Concussion — ACC SportSmart (external link)
Also follow the instructions in the ACC leaflet on caring for your child immediately after a head injury.
Caring for your child after their head injury (PDF, 2.6 MB) — ACC (external link)
Clinical review
This content was written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. It has been adapted for Health Information and Services.