13 Oct Ever had your heart sink into the bottom of your socks when you heard a loud thud then a moment of silence followed by aloud crying
Ever had your heart sink into the bottom of your socks when you heard a loud thud then a moment of silence followed by aloud 
crying
It’s every parent’s nightmare 
to run into a room to find their little one lying on a floor face down crying because they have fallen over and bumped their head
Children often bump or bang their heads, and it can be difficult to tell whether an injury is serious or not. Any knock to the head is considered a head injury. Head injuries are classified as mild, moderate or severe. Many head injuries are mild, and simply result in a small lump or bruise. Mild head injuries can be managed at home, but if your child has received a moderate or severe injury to the head, they need to see a doctor.
A mild head injury or concussion is when your child:
– may display altered level of consciousness at the time of the injury
– is now alert and interacts with you
– may have vomited, but only once
– may have bruises or cuts on their head
– is otherwise normal.
You should seek medical advice if your child has any of the above symptoms of mild head injury, and you are worried about them. Otherwise, continue to observe your child for any of the signs and symptoms listed under Moderate or Severe Head Injuries below.
A moderate or severe head injury, is when your child:
– lose consciousness
– be drowsy and not respond to your voice
– be dazed or shocked
– not cry straight after the knock to the head (younger children)
– be confused, have memory loss or loss of orientation about place, time or the people around them
– experience visual disturbance
– have unequally sized pupils or weakness in their arm or leg
– have something stuck in their head, or a cut causing bleeding that is difficult to stop, or a large bump or bruise on their head
– have a seizure, convulsion or fit
– vomit more than once.
You should call an ambulance immediately if your child has a moderate or severe head injury.
If you are concerned about your child after a head injury, always seek medical advice from your Family Doctor. For more information go to https://kidshealth.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/concussion