# What first aid can be given to a person with a head injury? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-first-aid-can-be-given-to-a-person-with-a-head-injury Language: en Category: first_aid Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T17:52:51.410Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T17:52:51.410Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/what-first-aid-can-be-given-to-a-person-with-a-head-injury When dealing with someone who has sustained a head injury, it is essential to assess the severity of the injury to provide appropriate first aid. In cases of moderate to severe injuries, you must call emergency services immediately. For minor injuries, treatment may not be necessary, but you must monitor for symptoms that may develop later. Basic first aid for a head injury involves ensuring the person's airway, breathing, and circulation are clear. If breathing and heart rate are normal but the person is unconscious, you should treat them as if they have a spinal injury by immobilizing the head and neck. Stop any bleeding by applying pressure to the wound with a clean cloth, unless there is a suspicion of a skull fracture. In case of a suspected skull fracture, do not apply direct pressure to the wound site and do not remove any debris; instead, cover the wound with a sterile gauze bandage. Ice packs can be applied to swollen areas, but the ice must be covered with a towel to prevent direct contact with the skin [\[1\]](). ## When should you seek emergency help? Certain symptoms after a head injury require immediate emergency medical care. You must call emergency services immediately if the injured person exhibits any of the following signs: - Excessive drowsiness or difficulty waking up [\[1\]](). - Abnormal behavior or slurred speech [\[1\]](). - Severe headache or stiff neck [\[1\]](). - Seizures [\[1\]](). - Unequal pupil size [\[1\]](). - Inability to move part or all of an arm or leg [\[1\]](). - Loss of consciousness, even briefly [\[1\]](). - Repeated vomiting [\[1\]](). - Severe bleeding from the head or face [\[1\]](). - Increasing confusion or agitation [\[2\]](). These symptoms may indicate a serious brain injury or internal bleeding that requires urgent evaluation and treatment in a hospital [\[1\]](). ## What should you avoid when giving first aid? There are some actions to avoid when handling a head injury to ensure the safety of the injured person and prevent the injury from worsening: - Do not wash a deep or heavily bleeding head wound [\[1\]](). - Do not attempt to remove any foreign object stuck in the wound [\[1\]](). - Do not move the injured person unless absolutely necessary [\[1\]](). - Do not shake the person if they appear stunned [\[1\]](). - Do not remove the helmet if you suspect a serious head injury [\[1\]](). - Do not pick up a child who has fallen and shows any sign of a head injury [\[1\]](). ## Following up on minor injuries Even if a head injury seems minor, it is important to contact a healthcare provider for advice and to monitor for symptoms that may develop later. Issues such as bleeding or swelling inside the skull can appear hours or days after the injury [\[1\]](). A doctor will provide guidance on what to expect, how to manage any headaches, and when to return to daily activities [\[1\]](). For more information on when a head injury is minor and when it requires emergency care, you can visit [Head injuries: When is it a simple bruise and when does it require emergency care? (Arabic)](). ## Medical references - [Head injury - first aid]() - [Head Injuries]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/what-first-aid-can-be-given-to-a-person-with-a-head-injury#answer