First aid brushup: Wound management - Scalp and Head Wounds

Be aware in cases of scalp and head wounds that there may be more serious underlying injuries, including concussion, skull fractures and spinal injuries.

Identification

Blood vessels run close to the surface on the head, so any wound will bleed profusely.

Image from here

Management

Encourage the casualty to lie down with the head and shoulders slightly supported.  Cover the wound with a clean (ideally sterile) pad and apply firm pressure (but be aware of the risk of a skull fracture).  Secure the pad in place with a bandage.






Because of the risk of head injury, medical assessment would be prudent.

Acknowledgement

As with other posts in this series, the information supplied is from Kym Eden's Fun with First Aid (2013).