Head Injury (Adult)

Home care

Watch for the following symptoms

Seek emergency medical care if you have any of these symptoms over the next hours to days: 

• Headache that gets worse or doesn't go away

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Unusual sleepiness or grogginess

• Trouble falling asleep

• Personality changes

• Vision changes

• Memory loss

• Confusion

• Trouble walking or clumsiness

• Loss of consciousness (even for a short time)

• Inability to be awakened

• Stiff neck

• Weakness or numbness in any part of the body

• Seizures

General care

• If you were prescribed medicines for pain, use them as directed. Note: Don’t take other medicines for pain without talking to your healthcare provider first.

• To help reduce swelling and pain, apply a cold source to the injured area for up to 20 minutes at a time. Do this as often as directed. Use a cold pack or bag of ice wrapped in a thin towel. Never apply a cold source directly to the skin.

• If you are on a blood thinner for a health condition and have a head injury, follow your healthcare provider's specific directions. You are at a higher risk for bleeding from the blood thinner, so your provider will talk to you about taking extra precautions.

• If you have cuts or scrapes as a result of your head injury, care for them as directed.

• For the next 24 hours (or longer, if directed):

  • Don’t drink alcohol or use sedatives or other medicines that make you sleepy.

  • Don’t drive or operate machinery.

  • Don’t do anything strenuous, such as heavy lifting or straining.

  • Limit tasks that need concentration. This includes reading, using a smartphone or computer, watching TV, and playing video games.

  • Don’t return to sports or other activities that could result in another head injury until approved by your healthcare provider.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your healthcare provider, or as directed. If imaging tests were done, they will be reviewed by a healthcare provider. You will be told the results and any new findings that may affect your care.

When to seek medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of the following occur:

• Pain doesn’t get better or gets worse

• New or increased swelling or bruising

• Increased redness, warmth, drainage, or bleeding from the injured area

• Fluid drainage or bleeding from the nose or ears

• Any depression or bony abnormality in the injured area

• Persistent confusion or lethargy

• Personality changes

• Bruising behind the ears or bruising around the eyes