HEAD INJURY CARE
You may have had a head injury today.
You declined evaluation at a hospital for your injuries. If you change
your mind, or, if you develop any of the symptoms described below,
please call 911 or go to the closest emergency room.
You must be watched closely by another person for 24 hours.
If you show any of the following symptoms or signs after your head
injury, you or the person watching you should call 911 or go to the
closest emergency room:










Fainting or abnormal sleepiness
Confusion
Change in behavior (acting strange, saying things that do not
make sense)
A worsening headache
Any vomiting/throwing up
Change in vision
Difficulty walking
Problems with memory
Weakness of any parts of your body
Seizure (any jerking of the body or limbs)
CERVICAL STRAINS (aka WIPLASH)
Neck pain is usually caused by strained muscles or ligaments. The
pain and stiffness will probably increase during the first 24 hours after
the injury.
Rest as much as possible. Increase your activity slowly when you start
to feel better. Apply cold packs or heat, whichever you find more
comfortable, off and on throughout the day. Be careful not to freeze
or burn your skin. Do not put ice directly on your skin. Instead, place
it in a plastic bag and wrap it in a towel. If you use a heating pad,
keep it on low. You should not drive until you neck is better.
Call your doctor immediately if any problems develop, including the
following:






Your pain gets worse
Your pain is not getting better after 2 days
You develop pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms,
hands, or legs
You lose control of your bowels or urine
Trouble walking
Anything else that concerns or worries you
ABDOMINAL PAIN
(BELLY OR STOMACH PAIN)
Many illnesses can cause abdominal pain. Follow-up with your doctor
as further evaluation is needed to find the exact cause of your pain.
You should follow-up even if you are feeling better.
Rest in bed until you feel better. Take your temperature every four
(4) hours. As long as you still have pain, you may not want to eat any
solid foods or drink large amounts of fluids. If you get thirsty, you
may take small sips of fluids or eat ice chips.
The following can be signs of serious diseases that need immediate
medical care. Go to an emergency department immediately if you
have any of the following symptoms or other concerning changes:






Your pain gets worse, persists, or is now only in one area
You vomit blood
You are dizzy or faint
Your abdomen becomes swollen
You have a temperature over 100.4
You have trouble passing urine or your urine has blood in it
WOUND CARE
To heal properly and prevent complications, your wound(s) will require
ongoing care at home by you. If you receive stitches or staples, do
not wash or wet the wound. It should remain dry for the first 24 to 48
hours. Wounds should be gently washed under running tap water with
a small amount of soap. Do not scrub the wounds. If you have
remaining dirt or debris, or a wound becomes dirty, gently rub under
running water if necessary to remove all dirt. After washing, carefully
pat dry with a clean towel and allow to thoroughly air dry before
covering again with a new bandage. Showers are also good for
cleaning wounds. Avoid baths, soaking and swimming until your
wound is completely healed.
Call your doctor immediately if you develop signs of a wound infection.
Signs to watch for are:







Growing area of redness around the wound or a red line away
from the wound
Swelling
Increased pain
Warmth to the touch
Pus draining from the wound
Fever or shaking chills
If adhesive fails and wound opens