Clinical Portal 2026 Dr. Murali Gopal
Parent guide

Minor Head Injury and Concussion

A cautious guide to bumps on the head, possible concussion, home observation, and warning signs that need urgent medical care.

Parent Guide Reviewed
Observe behaviour Rest quietly Avoid repeat injury Act on red flags

Dr. Murali Gopal

Senior Paediatrician & Paediatric Pulmonologist
MCR: 57489
MBBS, DCH(UK), MRCPCH(UK), FRCPCH(UK), CCT Paediatrics (UK), Fellow in Paediatric Pulmonology (Aus), Allergology (Ind)
Last reviewed: 1 July 2026

Most small head bumps settle, but careful observation matters. The key is to watch the child, avoid another head injury, and seek urgent care if symptoms worsen or anything feels unusual.

What parents may observe

After a minor head injury, a child may cry, have a tender lump, feel tired, complain of headache, or seem unsettled for a short time. A concussion can happen even without loss of consciousness.

Concerning changes include worsening headache, repeated vomiting, increasing drowsiness, confusion, unusual behaviour, seizure, weakness, or trouble walking.

Simple first-aid principles

  • Keep the child calm and resting in a safe place.
  • Apply a cold pack wrapped in cloth to a sore bump if the child accepts it.
  • Check alertness, behaviour, speech, walking, vomiting, headache, and whether symptoms are improving or worsening.
  • Keep the child away from sport, cycling, climbing, rough play, and screens that worsen symptoms until medically cleared or fully recovered.
  • Seek medical advice if you are unsure whether the injury was minor.

What not to do

Do Avoid
Let the child rest quietly and monitor symptoms. Do not send the child straight back to sport or risky play.
Use medical review if symptoms are persistent, worsening, or hard to judge. Do not ignore vomiting, drowsiness, confusion, seizure, or behaviour change.
Keep the child away from driving, cycling, swimming, or heights if dizzy or confused. Do not give sedating medicines or alcohol-containing remedies.

When to seek urgent care

Seek urgent medical care or call emergency services for any of these signs:
  • Loss of consciousness, seizure, abnormal movements, or cannot be woken normally.
  • Repeated vomiting, worsening headache, increasing drowsiness, confusion, or unusual behaviour.
  • Weakness, unsteady walking, slurred speech, unequal pupils, or vision problems.
  • Bleeding or clear fluid from the ear or nose, a deep scalp wound, or suspected skull injury.
  • High-speed injury, fall from a height, road traffic injury, or concern for non-accidental injury.
  • Baby under one year, child with bleeding disorder, or child on blood-thinning medicine.

Medical disclaimer

General education only This guide does not replace medical examination, emergency care, diagnosis, imaging decisions, or individualized advice from your paediatrician. If you are worried after a head injury, seek medical care urgently.

References

  1. Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Kids Health Info: Head injury. Accessed 22 May 2026.
  2. NHS. Head injury and concussion guidance. Accessed 22 May 2026.
  3. CDC. HEADS UP concussion information. Accessed 22 May 2026.
  4. American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Head injury guidance. Accessed 22 May 2026.

Last reviewed: 1 July 2026.

Medical review

Reviewed byDr. Murali Gopal

Last reviewed2026-07-01

Medical review statusClinician reviewed

ReferencesRCH Kids Health Info head injury guidance; NHS head injury and concussion guidance; CDC HEADS UP concussion information; American Academy of Pediatrics HealthyChildren head injury guidance

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This parent guide is for general education only and does not replace consultation with your child’s paediatrician. Please seek medical care urgently if your child appears seriously unwell, has breathing difficulty, poor feeding, dehydration, altered responsiveness, or if you are worried.

© Dr. Murali Gopal | For Patient Education Only This educational material is intended for parent and patient education. Reproduction, redistribution, or modification without permission is not allowed.