Skip to main content

Bump or blow to the head - Infants

Infants (Ages 0–2)Children (Ages 3–17)Adults (Ages 10–74)Seniors (Ages 75 and Older)

What it is

A bump or blow to the head refers to any sudden impact to the head. For example: an object hits the head, or the head hits the ground during a fall.

What you can do at home

What to do
  • Comfort your child and position them comfortably. 
  • If there is a small wound, clean it gently with mild soap and rinse. 
  • If it is bleeding a lot, apply pressure to the injury with a clean cloth for 15 minutes. Once the bleeding stops, apply a bandage if possible.  
  • If there is a bump or a bruise, press a cold washcloth to it for 15 minutes. 
  • If your child is in pain, follow your pharmacy’s advice. You can give them acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) if there are no contraindications. Note: Ibuprofen should not be given to children under 6 months of age. 
  • Keep an eye on your child for the first two hours after the incident. 
    • If it’s nap time or bedtime, let your child sleep, but wake them after two hours to check if they are acting normally (walking, speaking, reacting as usual). 
  • Keep an eye on your child for 3 days. Inform the daycare if necessary.    

When to seek medical attention

If your child have any of these signs:
  • the wound requires stitches (the wound is too large or too deep to close and heal on its own); 
  • the wound shows signs of infection: the skin around the injury becomes red, swollen, or hot, or pus (yellow or green liquid) appears;  
  • the wound was caused by a rusty object.  

Call 811, Option 1, to speak with a nurse, or contact a healthcare professional (pharmacist, doctor, or nurse practitioner), if any of the signs listed above apply.

When to go to the hospital right away

Your child fell from more than one metre or down more than 5 steps.
Your child lost consciousness.
Your child’s behaviour changes:
  • difficult to wake up, walks strangely, muscle weakness, difficulty speaking, very irritable, cries without stopping (for 10 minutes or more).  
You can’t stop the wound from bleeding.
You think your child was physically attacked.
Your child has any one of these symptoms (up to 3 days after being injured):
  • convulsions, difficulty breathing, fluid coming from the nose or ears, pupils (black circle in the eye) of different sizes, tingling in an arm or leg, bruise behind the ear or black eye, a bump on the head that does not go away, vomiting. 

Need help?

Call Info-Santé at 811, Option 1,  to speak with a nurse at any time. 

Make an appointment on Clic Santé if the child needs a vaccination. 

Go to the pharmacy for advice on medications or treatment. 

  • Make an appointment at your medical clinic or CLSC. 
Print this advice

See also

See all advices
See the details of Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis

  • Infants
  • Children
  • Adults
  • Seniors
See the details of Superficial Wound

Superficial Wound

  • Infants
  • Children
  • Adults
  • Seniors
See all advices