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Head injury at home: what should parents watch for?
Official guidance on caring for a child after a minor head injury, including symptoms to watch and when to seek urgent help.
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What the guidelines say
| Organisation | What it says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NHS | After a minor head injury, an adult should stay with the child for at least the first 24 hours. Use an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel for short periods to reduce swelling. Rest and avoid stress; the child does not need to stay awake if tired. Paracetamol can be given for headache. Avoid school, contact sports (at least 3 weeks), and rough play for a few days until feeling better. See a GP if symptoms last more than 2 weeks. | [1][2] |
| CDC | Concussion symptoms may not appear right away and can differ by age. Watch for changes in behavior, sleep, or coordination. In infants and toddlers, look for irritability, crying more than usual, refusing to eat, or vomiting without other cause. In school-aged children, watch for confusion, slow answers, clumsiness, or mood changes. Symptoms are usually most severe 1–2 days after injury. Most children feel better within 2–4 weeks. A child with a concussion needs to be seen by a healthcare provider. | [3][4][8] |
| MedlinePlus | Seek immediate help for warning signs of moderate or severe head injury: a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, inability to wake up, dilated pupil, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in arms or legs, loss of coordination, or increased confusion. Symptoms of concussion may start days or weeks later. Rest is important for healing. | [6][7] |
Where they agree
All three organisations agree that head injuries in children need careful monitoring. The NHS and CDC both emphasise that symptoms may last for weeks — the NHS says up to 2 weeks, while the CDC says most children feel better within 2 to 4 weeks. All sources agree that rest is important after a head injury. The NHS and CDC both advise watching for changes in the child’s condition and seeking medical advice if symptoms worsen. MedlinePlus and CDC both list similar serious warning signs, such as repeated vomiting, seizures, difficulty waking, and confusion.
Where they differ (and why it may not matter)
The main difference is in focus. The NHS provides practical home-care steps, such as using an ice pack and giving paracetamol, and gives specific timelines for returning to school and sports. The CDC focuses more on recognising concussion signs by age group and stresses that a child with a concussion must see a healthcare provider. MedlinePlus concentrates on emergency warning signs that require immediate medical help.
These differences do not really conflict. The NHS assumes the child has been assessed and sent home with a minor injury. The CDC and MedlinePlus provide broader guidance for any head injury, including those that may be more serious. The advice is complementary rather than contradictory. All sources ultimately point to the same message: monitor the child closely and seek help if symptoms get worse.
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
Seek immediate emergency care if your child has any of these danger signs, according to MedlinePlus and the CDC: a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, difficulty waking up or drowsiness, a dilated (enlarged) pupil, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs, loss of coordination, or increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation [6][7]. The CDC also advises seeking emergency care for any concussion danger signs and says a child with a concussion needs to be seen by a healthcare provider [3][8]. The NHS advises seeing a GP if symptoms last more than 2 weeks or if you are unsure about returning to school, sports, or driving [2].
Sources
[1] NHS — “Head injury and concussion” (2025), section “How to care for a minor head injury”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-injury-and-concussion/ [2] NHS — “Head injury and concussion” (2025), section “Don’t”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-injury-and-concussion/ [3] CDC — “Signs and Symptoms of Concussion”, section “Signs and Symptoms of Concussion Key points”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/signs-symptoms/index.html [4] CDC — “Signs and Symptoms of Concussion”, section “Signs: What to watch for according to your child’s age”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/signs-symptoms/index.html [6] MedlinePlus — “Head Injuries” (2024), section “Introducción”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/headinjuries.html [7] MedlinePlus — “Concussion” (2025), section “Introducción”, p. 1 — https://medlineplus.gov/concussion.html [8] CDC — “Concussion Basics”, section “Concussion Basics Key points”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/about/index.html
This guide summarises published paediatric guidelines. It is not medical advice and does not replace your paediatrician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.
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