How To Determine When To Take a Trip To The ER

My son slipped while running in the yard and hit his head.  What should I do?  Do I need to take him to the Emergency Room?

Head injuries are common and most minor falls do not result in serious injury. Keep a close eye on your child after the head bump. If he lost consciousness after the fall, you should go to the doctor immediately. If he got right up and continued playing, you can just observe him closely. Check his scalp. Is there a bump? If he’ll let you (good luck), apply ice to help soothe the pain and decrease the swelling.

If your child begins to complain of a severe headache, develops vomiting, has trouble seeing, talking or walking, call your pediatrician or take him to the Emergency Room right away.