Head collision at school - worried

[Catofninelives]

My 7 year old DS came home from school today with a note saying he had banged heads with another child in the playground, he’d hit the side of his head and the other boy (whose mum I know) had hit his forehead. Basically they were running and didn’t see each other coming the other way.

It happened in the afternoon about 2pm.
He hasn’t complained of a headache or vomited. He’s eaten his dinner as normal and was just being his usual self in the evening.
He’s now asleep in bed but I’m really anxious that he’ll have a brain bleed in his sleep or something. I guess partly because it was the side of his head where it’s more serious to injure as far as I’m aware?

The other boy’s mum has messaged me about 15 mins ago to say her DS came downstairs complaining of a headache and he can’t sleep, she said he seems a bit off colour.
So she’s a bit worried.

Well was there a lump? A bruise?

Sounds like he is absolutely fine. Kids hit their heads all the time. The school just has to notify you.

My DD did the similar a few weeks ago, but collided whilst running at break and split her head open as she hit it when she fell. Several stitches required. She was fine.

I've had many phone calls about banged heads.

I think there’s a bump but it’s sort of behind the ear as that’s where he bumped apparently.
Note says ‘side of head’ but when I asked him to point where it was and where it feels tender , he showed me behind the ear area.

Go and give him a good prod. If he stirs he's fine. This was advice from A&E once and I am usually not blazé about head bangs but since he was fine during the evening I wouldn't worry too much.

He stirred when I pulled the duvet off him and turned over to go back to sleep so I’m hoping that’s a good sign?

Yes it is I think. You could get up in the night and do the same if you're worried but the chances are you'll wake up knackered and he'll wake up as bouncy as usual!

I hear you. My DS once collided with the corner of a picnic table in the school playground while playing chase - he and another boy sort of tripped over each other and DS hit the bench at speed, with his cheekbone, not far below the eye. Half his face ended up black and blue and he ended up at urgent care.

Anyway... that was a good many years ago, he's 15 now, still has a dent in his cheekbone that you can feel but not see. Otherwise no ill-effects.

I am sure your boy will be fine, I was quite precious about mine and pretty sure he slept in my bed that night, or maybe I slept in his room.

It's often anxiety-inducing when kids have these sorts of accidents. I do feel for you.

I'd keep an eye on him, maybe put him in your bed with you (if you have room) just so you can be reassured.

He is asleep now so I don’t really want to move him into our bedroom. He’s heavy for his age so think I’d struggle lifting him in.
DH thinks I’m being crazy and that he’s totally fine. I will probably just go and check on him regularly throughout the night and not sleep much!

Seems like the other boy has got the worse injury, maybe he took the full force of impact. He sounds more symptomatic than my DS. Who hasn’t shown any symptoms apart from saying his ear hurts a bit.

He'll be fine. Mine plays rugby so I'm quite used to being on edge about concussion symptoms. Doesn't sound like your DS has any.

@Catofninelives sorry your son is poorly. My son did similar at that age but his concussion didn't start till 24 hours after the incident. So might be worth keeping a close eye on him. Btw my son is now 20 and taller than me so no long lasting side effects!! 🤕😷❣️

Being rousable is a good sign, as is a bump- it’s a dent that makes medics want to see the child the most. If you rang 111 for advice they would almost certainly sign post you to S&P, which seem a little extreme from what you describe. If it was my child, I would sleep with them and give them a good pole a few times through the night.

He seems fine this morning. Gone into school as normal.

Glad all is well. Did you get much sleep?

That's good. Glad he's okay. Concussion can be nasty so you're as well to be cautious. People often joke about it but it's not funny at all. How is the other boy?

Glad to hear this!

I hate head injuries, I can think of 3 times over the years I've been up in the night staring at a peacefully sleeping child trying to work out how to check if I can wake them without actually waking them