I have a 20 month old girl who just somehow slipped at Costco and managed to bang her head (upper right side) and it swelled immediately. I put ice on it (and of course she hated it), but she seemed to be okay...I called the doctor...and checked her all night/next day to make sure she wasn't seriously injured. She had the typical swelling and bruising, but was compeltely normal. 4 days later (just now), she tripped again in the kitchen and I actually saw her fall right on her bump. She cried and seemed to be in more pain this time (since it was already swollen). I'm guessing I should take her in tomorrow, but I don't want to be overly paranoid since she seems to be fine...but at the same time, I don't want to miss something and let it get into something worse. Any suggestions?
2006-12-11 14:06:00 · 7 answers · asked by Mo 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Here is a rule of thumb to live by....ask any dr.:
If it comes out (bump) , then usually nothing to worry about. You worry when it sinks in or bleeds badly. (a gash)
The swelling is a Hematoma (blood under skin), and will more than likely bruise. If it sink in, it is more than likely a break or fracture and needs to be seen.
With any fall, keep them awake for an hour or so and watch for signs like loss of balance or just lying around...no activity.
Usually give them some advil or motrin to aleviate the pain, and you can buy what is called a boo-boo bear. It is a stuffed bear you keep in the freezer for bumps like this. Makes it easier to ice the wound.
Good Luck!!
2006-12-11 14:59:32 · answer #1 · answered by PROUD wife of a soldier in Iraq 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children often hit their heads. The signs to watch for typically are, vomiting soon after, seizures, or unconsciousness right after the injury occurs. These signs often indicate a serious head injury. Sometimes however, there can be a serious head injury without these signs. If you don't feel right about the situation, or your child won't settle after a long period of time, it is probably a good idea to go to the ER. When my daughter was 3, she fell out of a shopping cart and landed on her head. We called the paramedics and they looked at her and said she was fine, but I knew it wasn't right. After they left, she started vomiting. We took her to the ER and found that she had fractured her skull and had 3 bleeds on her brain. After a 3 day hospital stay, the bleeds went down, thankfully and she went home. She is just fine today. A year later my friend's daughter fell off her bunk bed and hit her head. She watched her and looked for the classic signs, but they never happened. She stayed up with her all night, feeling in her heart something was not right, and finally took her in to the ER in the morning. Turns out her daughter had also fractured her skull. She stayed in the hospital a while and is also fine now. I've also had friend whose daughter fell from her 2nd story bedroom window onto the driveway below and walked away with only scrapes and scratches. The point is, always look for the classic signs I mentioned above, but if they don't happen and you are not comfortable with the situation, there is nothing wrong with going to the ER anyway.
2016-03-29 03:55:54 · answer #2 · answered by Penelope 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My 17 month old son took a spill off the bed and knocked himself out a few months ago. Scared me so bad I called 911. LOL, by the time the ambulance got to my house he was up and running and playing like nothing had happened. The paramedics laughed it off saying this happens to all children, the average toddler falls an average of 12 times a day! If your daughter gets up and plays withing few minutes after a fall, most likely she does not need to go to the hospital. HOWEVER, if you notice excessive sleepiness, dialated pupils, or anyother strange behavior bring her in immediatly as these are signs of possible brain injury. Since she hit the same spot twice in undoubtably hurt more the second time hence the larger reaction, but since she seems fine now I wouldn't worry. Take her in tom. to ease your mind if you like, but toddlers were built to take falls! If she's playing, eating, and drinking normally there is no need to stress. Good luck.
2006-12-11 14:15:15 · answer #3 · answered by dolly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally head bumps are nothing of concern---BUT--do what you did last time--keep a check on her and if ANYTHING in her behavior changes or she starts throwing up, get her to the ER at once. Otherwise, give your doc a call as soon as they open in the morning and he'll let you know if she needs to be seen.
Good luck--you have a long night ahead.
2006-12-11 14:17:44 · answer #4 · answered by kathylouisehall 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to take her to the dr , my daughters first son when he was little she thought she was going to have to buy him a helment , because every time he fell he fell right on the front of his head ,and he had a bump that looked like he had been doing karate , like these guys that break bricks with their heads , smile , but when they fall they really need to see a dr . Good Luck
2006-12-11 14:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by janice a 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're unsure, take her to a doctor. An aquaintance of mine lost her child after a bump went untreated... you just never know.
2006-12-11 15:29:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
if her pupils are the same size and seems to be normal, and she is of a normal color, ( no blood blockage) she should be fine...
2006-12-11 14:15:41 · answer #7 · answered by Jane Doe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋