When do you worry about a head bump?

[Fuzzymum1]

DS3 6yo had a fall at school and the head rang to say he was quite upset asked if I wanted to go and see/get him as he had quite a bump on his head. I was FB chatting with a friend at the time so explained why I was leaving. She was insisting he needs to get checked at the hospital. I think that's a bit unnecessary as he's concious, talking, feels ok but a bit sorry for himself no dizziness etc. I plan to keep him nearby me for the afternoon and make sure he's not drowsy etc, I'm not being neglectful am I?

No just keep an eye on him. I did take my then two year old to A&E after an accident on a bus, but she lost consciousness. She was ok, just a bit shaken and bruised. If he has a lasting headache, seems confused, dizzy, slurs, unbalanced on his feet, vomits or falls asleep and won't wake then take him to be seen. Signs of concussion.

Thanks, that?s what I thought. I should have known as my friend is one for panicking, LOL

DS1 has bumped his head a couple of times. The first time I took him to my local minor injuries unit as it was bleeding badly and it needed to be glued. The second time (almost 2 years later, in exactly the same spot!) I didn't take him because he was alert, the bump came straight out (which is a good sign apprently) and it he didn't split his head. I think you are acting sensibly, just keep an eye on him and take him to be checked if anything doesn't seem right.

Only time I've taken any of mine for a head injury was when dd2 (drama queen) was saying her eyes felt fuzzy.*

But I do know of people that take them to be checked out for any bump on the head, with no other symptoms, which seems a little over cautious.

*I did once take dd2 to the GP after she'd had a fall climbing out of her buggy and then threw up 2 hours later. I phoned the GP and asked if I could bring her in straight away and they were happy for that. He checked her and said he was pretty certain she was okay, but if she threw up again then to take her in.

See how he is when you pick him up and keep an eye on him over the next few hours. My 6 yr old DS fell off the slide at school last week and bumped his head but had no really obvious lump. He was very tearful (usually he bounces back very quickly) and said he felt a little dizzy. He then seemed a bit forgetful. I decided immediately at this point to take him to hospital and on the way he was sick and then became very confused and kept repeating himself over and over again - all very scary. He had concussion and the dr thinks he may well have lost conciousness but unfortunately no adults witnessed it so we don't know for sure. He had a CT scan which was normal and he was kept in hospital overnight for observation and by morning he was back to normal although he can't really remember anything about the run up to the accident and is adamant he didn't go to school that day!
I'm a school nurse and see a lot of head bumps and even ones with big lumps are generally nothing to worry about but you just need to be aware of what may happen and trust your instincts, if you are at all worried then take him to be checked out. Hope this helps and hope your DS is fine.