When does a knock to the head need medical attention?

[IToldYouIWasFreaky]

DS (13) was at football training last night and took a ball full in the face. He wasn't knocked out. He said he had a headache and felt dizzy and sick afterwards. He didn't want a paracetamol before bed, so just went to bed and slept normally. Still felt dizzy this morning and had a headache so took paracetamol and went to school. He's now on his way back from school as he still says he feels dizzy and has a headache.
Is it time to get him medical attention? I'm wavering as he has a tendency to be a bit of a drama llama about injuries and illness...I'm not disputing that he does feel a bit rough, but he may well be exaggerating.

Get him checked!

Still dizzy and a headache after that length of time needs to be checked.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/concussion/

www.nhs.uk/conditions/concussion/

Guidance says to call 111. They may advice you to go to A&E. There seems to be confusion as to “head ache does not go away” so I think you have scope to take him to A&E if you are worried.

For context, my youngest has bumped her head multiple times (tennis, gymnastics, etc) and we have been to the A&E three times. All times due to her vomiting more than once after. All times she was fine. I was told that if you vomit three times, you need a brain scan.

They did certain tests, like checking that her eyes could follow a finger up, down, sides. They also checked that she could squeeze their fingers with the same pressure on both sides, that she could walk straight and that she could touch her nose with her finger.

Ultimately it is a judgement call what you do (which always is very scary). At the least I would call 111.

Thanks all. I did the 111 questionnaire online and am waiting for a nurse to call me back.
He's home from school now and very apologetic about it all, bless him.

Yes, mild concussion. He will likely be off sport for minimum 2 weeks and will find concentrating hard. Get him checked, 111 will send you in. The majority of concussion does not result in being knocked out.

His football coach should have had a strict protocol for dealing with this, I would query this. If this has happened at Rugby or Hockey really clear guidelines (sadly experienced both!). He should not have gone to school but rested. Likely to be emotional too..

Learnt all this the hard way! Hope he feels better soon

I would definitely go to A&E, you just can't be too careful with a potential head injury.
The fact that a headache/dizziness is still present could be indicative of concussion or worse and it's best to get it checked out.
At least it will offer you reassurance if nothing else.

until you get the call from the nurse he should rest in a darkened room.
no devices, no tv, no music, no reading.

Yes, I'd take him to get checked out as the dizziness has remained. Hope he's OK!

DS has exertion related headaches for a good couple of months after a rugby head injury so be on the look out for that.

had exertion related headaches - it was a few years ago now and he doesn't still have them!

@purplesequins

until you get the call from the nurse he should rest in a darkened room. no devices, no tv, no music, no reading.

That's exactly what he's been doing.

Not heard from the nurse yet and I was supposed to get a call within 30mins (from 10.45) DS is just eating an early lunch (teenage appetite does not appear affected ) and I think we'll go to A&E after that, as it sounds as though the nurse will probably advise that anyway.

And we're back from A&E. He does indeed have mild concussion. I'm glad we went, not least because 111 only phoned back as we were pulling into the car park!
He's been prescribed rest so I've sent him back to bed with no phone.

How is he doing ?

That sounds like typical concussion and you should definitely get him checked over.

Oh! Sorry. Didn't refresh page before posting.