Head injuries are increasingly common in kids, and it is crucial to know how to handle them. Unfortunately, the myths surrounding head injuries hinder people from giving the right care. This escalates the situation, and in the worst cases, a child may die. It is crucial to know the right steps to take and ensure you are informed about head injuries and the myths surrounding them. This knowledge will help you prepare and provide the best care to a child after a head injury. Here are common myths about concussions that could be hurting a child.
- A child should not sleep after a head injury
It is not necessary to keep a child awake after a head injury. If they had a concussion and the situation was contained and ruled out safe, you can let the kid rest for a while. Sleep is beneficial in facilitating the process of healing. Therefore, after performing outdoor first aid, let the child take some rest to avoid making a recovery difficult.
- Wearing a helmet will prevent a concussion
Wearing a helmet is a safety measure when biking or playing sports. However, helmets do not prevent concussions. The brain floats in a liquid, and wearing the helmet does not prevent the impact. When the brain moves inside the skull due to the impact, it causes a concussion. A helmet prevents bleeding or fractures on the skull.
- Only head blows cause concussions
Head blows are the common cause of concussions. However, other things like severe body jolting may also cause a concussion. For example, if the child is shaken violently, it may cause a shift in the brain that might result in a concussion.
- Vomiting is a certain sign of a concussion
Vomiting is one of the symptoms of a concussion. However, just because the child throws up does not conclude they have a concussion. Vomiting can be because of the shock and might also come with other symptoms like dizziness and confusion. If these symptoms persist, it could mean the kid has a severe head injury that requires emergency medical attention.
- A concussion is worse when the blow is hard
Some people believe that harder blows cause more severe concussions. However, the truth is that the impact of the blow does not affect the severity of the concussion. A concussion happens when the brain moves inside the skull irrespective of the impact.
- A child does not have a concussion if they don’t blackout
Many people believe that a concussion is accompanied by blacking out and fainting. Concussions are different. A child who has blacked out feels less impact than the one who is awake. However, blacking out is not the only symptom of a concussion. Watch out for other symptoms like dizziness, confusion, and headache.
- All concussions have the same symptoms
Vomiting, blackout, headache, and confusion are the most reported symptoms of a concussion. However, there are others, and all these symptoms don’t happen simultaneously. Identifying unusual behavior in the child and considering calling a doctor is vital.
Key Takeaways!
There are different things that people believe about concussions and injuries. Some of these things don’t have the basis or foundation to support their credibility. Knowing what is right and the myths surrounding head injuries is vital. It will help you to provide the right care in case of a head injury.