Para dar primeros auxilios a una persona que tuvo un traumatismo craneal, llama al 911 o al número de emergencia local. Cualquiera de los siguientes síntomas podría indicar una lesión grave en la cabeza:
Adultos
- Sangrado grave en la cabeza o en la cara
- Sangrado o secreción de líquido de la nariz o los oídos
- Vómitos
- Dolor de cabeza intenso.
- Cambio del estado de conciencia por más de unos pocos segundos
- Coloración azul y negra debajo de los ojos o detrás de las orejas
- Falta de respiración
- Confusión.
- Agitación
- Pérdida de equilibrio
- Debilidad o incapacidad para usar un brazo o una pierna
- Pupilas de tamaño desigual
- Habla arrastrada
- Convulsiones
Niños
- Cualquiera de los síntomas de los adultos
- Llanto persistente
- Rechazo de la comida
- Abultamiento en la fontanela anterior, ubicada en la parte delantera de la cabeza del bebé
- Vómitos reiterados
Administra los siguientes primeros auxilios mientras esperas que llegue la ayuda médica de emergencia:
- Mantén a la persona inmóvil. La persona lesionada debe estar acostada, con la cabeza y los hombros ligeramente elevados. No muevas a la persona a menos que sea necesario y evita moverle el cuello. Si la persona está usando un casco, no se lo quites.
- Detén posibles sangrados. Aplica presión firme sobre la herida con una gasa estéril o un paño limpio, pero no apliques presión directa sobre la herida si sospechas que hay una fractura de cráneo.
- Vigila cambios en la respiración y en la lucidez mental. Si la persona no muestra signos de circulación (no respira, no tose ni se mueve), comienza la reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP).
El traumatismo craneal que causa síntomas de conmoción cerebral debe ser evaluado por un profesional de la salud. Los síntomas de una conmoción cerebral incluyen náuseas, inestabilidad, dolores de cabeza o dificultad para concentrarse.
Head trauma: First aid
Call 911 or your local emergency number if someone has had a serious head injury — such as a fall from a ladder or a motor vehicle accident — or if the person has the following symptoms. With potentially serious head injuries, it is important to protect the person's neck and spine. Do this by having the person lie still. Don't move the person until emergency medical help has arrived and made an evaluation.
Adults
- Serious head or facial bleeding.
- Bleeding or fluid leakage from the nose or ears.
- Change in consciousness for longer than a few seconds.
- Not breathing.
- Confusion, agitation or restlessness that continues to get worse.
- Loss of balance.
- Weakness or not being able to use an arm or leg.
- One pupil bigger than the other. The pupil is the black part of the eye.
- Slurred speech.
- Seizures.
Children
- Any of the symptoms for adults.
- Persistent crying.
- Refusal to eat.
- Bulging in the soft spot on the front of the head in infants.
- Repeated vomiting.
Head trauma: First aid
Follow these first-aid steps while waiting for emergency medical help to arrive:
- Keep the person still. The injured person should lie down with the head and shoulders slightly elevated. Don't move the person unless necessary. Avoid moving the person's neck. If the person is wearing a helmet, don't remove it.
- Stop any bleeding. Apply firm pressure to the wound with sterile gauze or a clean cloth. But don't apply direct pressure to the wound if you suspect a skull fracture.
- Watch for changes in breathing and alertness. If the person shows no signs of circulation — no breathing, coughing or movement — begin CPR.
Someone with head trauma can be driven to the emergency department if the person can walk and is alert but has:
- Black-and-blue marks below the eyes or behind the ears.
- Confusion.
Head trauma: First aid
Head trauma that results in concussion symptoms needs to be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Concussion symptoms include:
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Ringing in the ears.
- Trouble with balance or staying steady.
- Headaches.
- Blurry vision.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Memory loss around the event that caused the head trauma.
Show References
- Head injury. American College of Emergency Physicians. https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/head-injury. Accessed Oct. 31, 2024.
- Signs and symptoms of concussion. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/heads-up/signs-symptoms/index.html. Accessed Oct. 31, 2024.
- Neck or back injury. American College of Emergency Physicians. https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/know-when-to-go/neck-or-back-injury. Accessed Oct. 31, 2024.
- Traumatic brain injury. Merck Manual Professional Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi. Accessed Oct. 31, 2024.
- Evans RW, et al. Acute mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 31, 2024.
- Bloom J, et al. Sideline evaluation of concussion. https://uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Nov. 6, 2020.
- Schutzman S. Minor blunt head trauma in infants and young children (<2 years): Clinical features and evaluation. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 31, 2024.
- Child head injury. American College of Emergency Physicians. https://www.emergencyphysicians.org/article/pediatrics/child-head-injury. Accessed Nov. 1, 2024.
- Walls RM, et al., eds. Head trauma. In: Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 1, 2024.
- Wilkinson JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 11, 2024.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/first-aid/first-aid-head-trauma/basics/art-20056626