Do I need to go to ER if I banged my head?!


Question: Do I need to go to ER if I banged my head?
I just banged my head on a shelf corner and would like to get your advice to know if I need to seek medical help or not.

I didn't see stars or felt dizzy. Based on the direction of the hit, which was nearly parallel to the top of my head, I don't think I had a concussion but can't be sure about it.

I should mention that I have a tendency to somatize some symptoms when I worry about them, so it would be nice to know what kind of very specific (and more obvious) symptoms I should watch out for.

Thank you very much!

Answers:

i would only go to ER
if you have dizziness, vision problems, trouble speaking, light headed
it sounds like you didn't hit your head too hard so I think you would be fine



If you have any vision, balance, or speaking problems you should go to the clinic, who will then get you an ambulance if you so need one.

For comparison;

I was knocked out cold on tile floor at about 9 yrs old after slipping on water; I woke up about an hour later, never went to the ER or the doctor; years later I'm fine, with inherited mental disorders, nothing out of the norm. Second I was thrown by a horse (with his teeth, I was not riding him), and nearly passed out afterward. I suffered vomiting and two broken bones, but made it out fine without EMA (in fact I walked across 5 acres immediately afterward). So I would assume that everyone has their own tolerance; find yours and take note of your physical limits, also past medical events in your life should be considered. If you have had any previous head/neck/spinal injury, low blood volume/pressure, taking blood thinner, or you are pregnant, you should seek medical attention, having someone else drive if possible. Consider the point of which you usually faint and your physical endurance to injury if possible.

Chech your pupils in a mirror; turn of the lights for a while, then switch them on and see if your pupils are BOTH small. If your pupils are dilated (widened) regardless of light change, or of different size, you need medical attention. Check your pulse by feeling your neck (carotid artery), or wrist (radial artery); if it is fast and faint, you are frightened, if it is slow and heavy, you have a head injury.

First Aid class of FL, VA




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