Many parents have received a call from the nurse at the end of the day reporting that their child sustained a bump on the head, that he or she stayed in the Nurse’s Office for a while with ice on the area, and, seemingly well, went back to class. We then advise that you observe your child for a few days for any unusual behavior which, if seen, should be reported to your health care provider. The nurses in the District have developed a handout listing specific symptoms to look for, and we will begin sending this form home.
Head injuries can range in their degree of seriousness. At one end of the spectrum, an injury can cause a small hematoma, or "goose egg", which is like a bruise just under the skin of the head. This is what we almost always see at school. At the other end are more complicated injuries that can cause trauma to the brain. Symptoms of these more serious injuries may not be apparent for several days. What seems to be a generally harmless hematoma may actually be a more serious hidden injury. It is because of this possibility that we always call to alert parents. If you receive such a call, please watch your child carefully. If you notice anything unusual, such as severe headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, difficulty walking, difficulty with vision, or bleeding /fluid from the ear or nose, call your health care provider right away.
|
