One of the greatest anxieties of those who have children at home are accidents at home: bumps on the head, falls, shocks, and burns are some of the most frequent occurrences. Thus, it is common for us to have doubts about the need to take the little ones to the doctor when these unforeseen events happen.

According to Dr. Rodrigo Rocha, trauma surgeon at Brasília/Dasa Hospital, not all falls require emergency medical evaluation, because most head traumas are trivial, with low energy. In these situations, when the famous "bump" appears, it is enough to use an ice pack so that the swelling goes down.

However, it is always good to stay alert, because vomiting, convulsion, fainting, and unusual drowsiness demand medical team evaluation.

Can the child sleep after hitting his head on the floor?

When experiencing such an incident, parents are always concerned about whether it is okay to let the little one sleep.

"Ideally, for a few hours after the trauma, you should observe the child's behavior. Besides, you can't tell if the child is really asleep or passed out," he explains.

The dangers of vomiting after hitting your head

The specialist says that even if rarely, nausea and vomiting are warning signs, because they can usually indicate a serious trauma.

Read also: Choking in babies and children: what to do

When should I be concerned?

Childhood is a phase full of adventures, discoveries, and various games that can result in accidents.

This is because during this period the bones of the skull are still fragile and the impact can cause severe head trauma. Other aspects to be observed, regardless of age, are:

• Falls from a height greater than one meter;
• Sleepiness;
• Fainting;
• Memory loss;
• Intense and persistent headache;
• Shortness of breath;
• Cyanosis (purple extremities);
• Cuts.

If any of these symptoms are present, don't hesitate to take your child for evaluation at an emergency unit.

"After this evaluation, it is interesting to contact the child's pediatrician to let him or her know the situation," he adds.

How to Avoid Home Accidents with Children

Even though we take all the care in the world, naturally, children suffer eventual scratches and small falls. After all, this is a phase of great curiosity, learning, and exploring the environment, important behaviors for development. Thus, what we can do is adopt measures that prevent more serious situations. Check out some tips:

• Install protection nets on windows and balconies;
• Avoid waxing the floor and favor the use of non-slip mats;
• Protect the outlets;
• When cooking, leave the pan handle facing the stove;
• Store the medicines in a safe place, out of reach of children;
• The same goes for cleaning products and perfume;
• Install safety gates on stairs and pools.
• Despite being very popular among parents, the use of a walker is not recommended by Brazilian Society of Pediatrics This is because of the great risk for serious falls.
• Specialized care at the Trauma Center
• In case of falls, burns, or other major trauma, it is necessary to seek medical attention immediately.

Source: Dr. Rodrigo Rocha, trauma surgeon at Brasília/Dasa Hospital.