What are the Immediate First-AID Steps For a Head Injury?

Immediate First Aid for Head Injuries: Essential Steps for Safety

A head injury is any physical injury to the scalp, skull, or brain. It can result from any accident, collision with any hard object, or falling from a height. Common head injuries include concussions, scalp tears, or even fractures in the skull. 

Treatment of the head injury will depend on the severity of the wound. However, first aid is essential to prevent any further damage or excessive bleeding. Read ahead to understand the first aid steps one must take for a head injury. 

What are the First-aid Steps for a Head Injury?

First aid is necessary for a head injury to prevent further damage. If it is a minor head injury with no instances of blood, check if the person is responsive. If they are, then follow the steps listed below: 

• Step 1: Apply a cold pack to the area that has swollen or been injured. 
• Step 2: Allow the person to lie flat, with their head and shoulders slightly elevated. 
• Step 3: Assess their responsiveness using the AVPU (Alert, Voice, Pain, and Unresponsive) scale.
• Step 4: If they have any wounds, secure them with a dressing to stop further damage or infections in that area. 
• Step 5: Monitor their level of alertness for a period of time after the injury. If they respond normally, it’s probably a minor injury, and you don’t need to worry much. However, if they lose responsiveness, they should immediately contact emergency medical help. 
• Step 6: If the injury has resulted from playing a sport, which is common among athletes, then ensure a medical check-up as soon as possible. Don’t allow them to play unless told to do so by a medical professional.  

When Should You Consider Medical Help for a Head Injury?

Apart from the above cases, consider taking medical advice if: 

●  The patient is above 65 years of age. 
●  The patient has undergone brain surgery in the past.
●  The patient is taking anti-clotting medicines. 
●  The patient has a habit of smoking or drinking. 

What Steps to Take in Case of a Serious Head Injury?

If you suspect any serious head injury, follow the steps listed below immediately:

• Step 1: Call for emergency medical help immediately and inform the ambulance services about the risk of serious head injury. 
• Step 2: Monitor the patient’s breathing rate, movement, and circulation. If they show no signs of respiration, begin CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation). It involves rescue breathing techniques that provide oxygen to the patient’s lungs until the heartbeat is restored. 
• Step 3: If the injured’s heart rate and breathing are normal but they are unconscious, then treat them as if they have a spinal injury. Keep their head aligned with the spine and avoid movement until medical help arrives. 
• Step 4: If the wounds are bleeding, try covering them with a clean towel to stop blood loss. If there is bleeding and blood soaks through the towel, add another towel on top of the soaked one. 
• Step 5: If you suspect the risk of any skull fracture, then do not apply pressure; just cover the wound with gauze or a towel. 
• Step 6: Continue to monitor their level of alertness until medical assistance arrives. 

Head injuries are serious ailments that can pose a significant financial liability if they are not covered by insurance. A reliable health insurance policy can provide comprehensive coverage for such critical illnesses during adverse times. 

The Star Health Critical Illness Multipay Insurance Policy offers comprehensive coverage for 37 critical illnesses, including brain and nervous system disorders. We also provide cashless treatments at over 14,000+ network hospitals across India. 

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