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My child hit their head. What should I do?
Learn how to care for a child after a head injury and when to get urgent medical help.
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What it is
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or by a hit to the body that makes the head and brain move rapidly back and forth [9]. This movement can cause chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretch or damage brain cells [9]. Most head injuries are not serious, but it is important to get medical help for any symptoms [6]. Concussion symptoms may not show up right away; they can take hours or days to appear [2]. Symptoms are usually most severe right after the injury [9]. Most children with a concussion feel better within 2 to 4 weeks [9].
Signs and symptoms can look different depending on your child’s age [2]. In infants and toddlers, watch for irritability, crying more than usual, refusing to nurse or eat, changes in sleeping patterns, or not wanting to play [7]. In school-aged children and adolescents, look for appearing dazed or confused, difficulty remembering or concentrating, answering questions slowly, clumsiness, vomiting right after the injury, or mood and behavior changes [7]. Children may also report headaches, dizziness, feeling tired, nausea, vision problems, or feeling foggy [8].
What you can do at home
If your child has been sent home from hospital with a minor head injury, or does not need to go to hospital, you can usually look after them at home [3]. Symptoms may last up to 2 weeks after a head injury [3].
- Hold an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel to the area regularly for short periods in the first few days to bring down swelling [3].
- Rest and avoid stress – your child does not need to stay awake if they are tired [3].
- You can give painkillers such as paracetamol for children if your child has a headache [3].
- Make sure an adult stays with your child for at least the first 24 hours [3].
Do not let your child go back to school until they are feeling better [4]. Children should avoid rough play for a few days [4]. Do not give your child sleeping pills while they are recovering unless a doctor advises you to [4].
When to see a doctor or go to the emergency department
Call your emergency number or go to your nearest emergency department if your child has any of these danger signs after a bump, blow, or jolt to the head [1]:
- Convulsions or seizures (shaking or twitching) [1]
- Not able to recognize people or places [1]
- Repeated nausea or vomiting [1]
- Unusual behavior, increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation [1]
- Loss of consciousness with increasing drowsiness, inability to wake up, or inability to stay awake [1]
- Slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination [1]
- A headache that gets worse and does not go away [1]
- One pupil larger than the other or double vision [1]
- Will not stop crying and cannot be consoled (infants and toddlers) [1]
- Will not nurse or eat (infants and toddlers) [1]
Call your emergency number (or your local emergency number) if your child has been knocked out and has not woken up, cannot stay awake, has a fit (seizure), has problems with vision or hearing, has clear fluid coming from their ears or nose, is bleeding from their ears, has new numbness or weakness, has problems with walking, balance, understanding, speaking or writing, or has a head wound with something inside it or a dent in their head [6]. Also call if your child is under 1 year old and has a bruise, swelling, or large cut on their head, or if their behavior has changed, like being more irritable or losing interest in things [6].
Get urgent help if your child is being sick (vomiting), feels dizzy, has a condition that thins their blood or takes medicine that thins their blood, or if you have any other symptoms you are worried about [6]. Seek immediate emergency medical care if your child has any concussion danger signs [2].
Common questions
How long will symptoms last? Concussion symptoms are usually most severe right after the injury, typically 1 to 2 days after [2]. Most children feel better within 2 to 4 weeks [9]. Symptoms may last up to 2 weeks after a minor head injury [3]. See a GP if symptoms last more than 2 weeks [4].
Can my child sleep after a head injury? Yes. Your child does not need to stay awake if they are tired [3]. However, an adult should stay with your child for at least the first 24 hours [3].
When can my child return to sports? Children should avoid rough play for a few days [4]. Do not let your child play contact sports for at least 3 weeks [4]. See a GP if you are not sure if it is safe to return to school or sports after a head injury [4].
Sources
[1] CDC — “Signs and Symptoms of Concussion”, section “Concussion danger signs”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/signs-symptoms/index.html [2] 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 [3] 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/ [4] NHS — “Head injury and concussion” (2025), section “Don’t”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-injury-and-concussion/ [6] NHS — “Head injury and concussion” (2025), section “Head injury and concussion”, p. 1 — https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-injury-and-concussion/ [7] 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 [8] CDC — “Signs and Symptoms of Concussion”, section “Symptoms: What your child may experience or report after a concussion”, p. 1 — https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/signs-symptoms/index.html [9] 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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