Home care for a head injury includes:
- Avoid alcohol.
- Avoid narcotic pain medications.
- Avoid medications that make you sleepy.
- Avoid driving until symptoms resolve.
- Apply cold compresses to the scalp:
- Wrap ice in a moist hand towel. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
- Apply for 20-30 minutes, every 1-2 hours, for the first few days.
- Clean wounds thoroughly:
- Use mild soap and water.
- Gently dab the wound with hydrogen peroxide to remove clotted blood.
- Do not scrub the wound.
- Remove dirt or foreign material from the wound.
- Dry the skin.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment.
- Eat a clear liquid diet for 24 hours.
- Rest for 1-2 days. There is no need to try and keep the victim awake.
- Perform neurological checks:
- Every 1-2 hours for 24 hours
- Make sure the person can be awakened
- Make sure the person can walk
- Make sure the person can speak normally
- Make sure the person can move extremities normally
- Acetaminophen for pain
- Avoid aspirin.
