Head injury, minor - Treating a minor head injury

If you or your child experience minor symptoms after a knock, bump or blow to the head, you won't usually require any specific treatment.

Read about the symptoms of a head injury to find out when you need urgent medical attention.

Once you have been discharged, you should follow the advice below.

If you have a minor head injury:

ask someone to stay with you and keep within easy reach of a telephone and medical help for the first 48 hours after the injury
have plenty of rest and avoid stressful situations
do not drink alcohol or take recreational drugs
do not take sleeping pills, sedatives or tranquillisers (unless they are prescribed by your doctor)
take paracetamol if you have a mild headache, but avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and aspirin, unless advised or prescribed by a doctor
do not play any contact sport, such as football or rugby for at least three weeks without talking to your doctor
do not return to work, college or school until you have completely recovered and feel ready
do not drive a car, motorbike or bicycle or operate machinery until you have completely recovered

If you still have symptoms two weeks after the head injury or you are unsure about driving or returning to work, see your GP for advice.

If your child has a minor head injury:

give them paracetamol if they have a mild headache, but avoid NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and aspirin (aspirin should never be given to children under 16 years of age)
avoid getting them too excited
do not have too many visitors
do not let them play contact sports, such as football or rugby for at least three weeks without talking to your doctor
make sure that they avoid rough play for a few days

Take your child back to an A&E department if their symptoms worsen or they develop any new symptoms.

If they still have symptoms two weeks after the head injury, or you are unsure about your child returning to school or sport, see your GP for advice.