RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
ChildrenHead injury
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Follow the discharge advice. Have a responsible adult stay for at least the first 24 hours, or longer if the treating clinician advised it. Sleep is allowed; difficulty waking is an emergency.
- Contact NHS 111 urgently for vomiting after the injury, dizziness, worrying behaviour changes or worsening symptoms. Do not wait for two episodes of vomiting.
- Get urgent advice after a head injury if taking blood-thinning medicine or there is a bleeding disorder, even if initially feeling well.
- Arrange GP review if symptoms last more than 2 weeks, or sooner if they are not improving or prevent usual activities.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Loss of consciousness, being unable to stay awake or difficulty waking.
- A seizure after the injury.
- New weakness, numbness, speech problems, confusion, trouble understanding or difficulty walking.
- New sight or hearing problems.
- Clear fluid from the nose or ears, bleeding from an ear, bruising behind the ears or unexplained bruising around the eyes.
- A severe or worsening headache, repeated vomiting, a dent in the head, or a high-speed injury: seek emergency assessment.
- Severe difficulty breathing, pauses in breathing, grunting, or the skin pulling in deeply under or between the ribs.
- Being very difficult to wake or unresponsive.
- Being unusually floppy, confused or not responding as usual.
- Blue, grey, very pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Head injuryhttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-injury-and-concussion/
- NHS - Fever in childrenhttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/