Written & medically reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS· Last reviewed
Most minor head bumps are harmless, but a head injury can occasionally cause bleeding or swelling inside the skull that appears hours later — so it is important to know the warning signs.
1. Sit the person down and apply a cold pack to a bump to reduce swelling.
2. For any bleeding, apply gentle pressure with a clean dressing.
3. Let them rest and watch them closely for 24–48 hours.
4. Give paracetamol for headache (avoid sedating painkillers early on).
5. Wake and check a child periodically through the first night if advised.
6. Do not let them play sport/drive until fully recovered.
When to see a doctor urgently
Call emergency services for: loss of consciousness, a fit, repeated vomiting, or clear fluid/blood from the nose or ears
Severe or worsening headache, confusion, drowsiness or being hard to wake
Unequal pupils, weakness, slurred speech, or vision problems
A dangerous mechanism (high fall, road accident) or a person on blood thinners
Watch for delayed signs. Serious bleeding inside the skull can develop hours after the injury, so watch closely and seek help for any red flag. Anyone on blood thinners needs a low threshold for assessment. This is not a substitute for medical care.
Frequently asked questions
When is a head injury serious?
Loss of consciousness, a seizure, repeated vomiting, worsening headache, confusion or drowsiness, unequal pupils, weakness, or fluid from the nose/ears all need emergency care.
Should I keep someone awake after a head injury?
They can sleep, but should be easy to rouse — check on them periodically in the first 24 hours and seek help if they become hard to wake or confused.
What is a concussion?
A temporary disturbance of brain function from a knock to the head — headache, dizziness, confusion. Rest is key, and worsening symptoms need urgent review.
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.