First few days: dos and don'ts
Immediate
Dos and don'ts in the first few days after injury
DOs
- Do make sure you stay within reach of a telephone and medical help\
- Do have plenty of rest and avoid stressful situations
- Do take painkillers such as paracetamol for headaches
DON'Ts
- Don't stay at home alone for 48 hours after leaving hospital
- Don't drink alcohol until you feel better
- Don't take aspirin or sleeping tablets without consulting your doctor
- Don't return to work until you feel ready
- Don't play any contact sport for at least three weeks without consulting your doctor
- Don't drive until you feel you have recovered. If in doubt consult your doctor
Warning signs
Although it is unlikely, serious complications can arise in the days and even weeks after a minor head injury. It is important that you, and a responsible adult who can monitor your condition are aware of the symptoms below.
- Loss of consciousness
- New deafness in one or both ears
- Loss of balance or problems walking
- Any weakness in one or both arms or legs
- Any vomiting
- Clear fluid coming out of your ears or nose
- Drowsiness when you would normally be wide awake
- Increasing disorientation
- Problems understanding or speaking
- Blurred or double vision
- Severe headache not relieved by painkillers such as paracetamol
- Bleeding from one or both ears
- Any fits (collapsing or passing out suddenly)
- Inability to be woken
If you experience any of these symptoms it is important that you go to an emergency department immediately.
