Head Injury from Desk Corner: When to Seek Medical Attention?

Head struck against the corner of a table?

Hello Doctor: Yesterday, when I woke up to turn off my alarm, I accidentally hit my head against the corner of the desk next to my bed.
It was quite a hard hit, and I felt a lot of pain and a bit dizzy at that moment.
Later, I noticed a small dent in my head and some bleeding; the wound is about one centimeter long, and the dent has a diameter of about half a centimeter.
The wound is located approximately 2.5 centimeters above my left eyebrow.
I have disinfected it with saline solution and iodine and applied ointment.
Do I need to go to the hospital for further evaluation?

Shi Cha Zhe, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/11/10

Dr. Zhang Junwei reply Neurosurgery

If persistent headaches and dizziness occur, it is recommended to consult a neurosurgery outpatient clinic for evaluation.

Reply Date: 2016/11/10

More Info

When it comes to head injuries, especially those resulting from blunt trauma like hitting a desk corner, it is crucial to be vigilant about the symptoms that may arise afterward. Based on your description, you experienced significant pain, some dizziness, and a visible injury with a small indentation and bleeding. These factors warrant careful consideration regarding whether to seek further medical attention.

Firstly, it is important to understand that head injuries can lead to various complications, some of which may not be immediately apparent. The symptoms you should be particularly cautious about include:
1. Loss of Consciousness: If you lose consciousness, even briefly, it is essential to seek medical help immediately, as this could indicate a more serious injury.

2. Persistent or Worsening Headache: A headache that does not improve or worsens over time can be a sign of complications such as a concussion or intracranial bleeding.

3. Dizziness or Confusion: If you experience ongoing dizziness, confusion, or difficulty concentrating, these could be symptoms of a concussion or other neurological issues.

4. Nausea or Vomiting: Feeling nauseous or vomiting after a head injury can indicate increased intracranial pressure or other serious conditions.

5. Changes in Vision: Blurred or double vision, or any other visual disturbances, should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

6. Seizures: If you experience any seizures, it is critical to seek emergency medical care.

7. Fluid or Blood from Nose or Ears: This could indicate a skull fracture and requires immediate medical evaluation.

Given that you have a visible injury with bleeding and an indentation, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional, even if your symptoms seem manageable at the moment. The fact that you are experiencing some dizziness is also a concern, as it could indicate a concussion or other underlying issues.

In terms of immediate care, while you have done well to clean the wound with saline and apply antiseptic, it is important to monitor the injury closely. If the bleeding does not stop, or if you notice any signs of infection (increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pus), you should seek medical attention promptly.

In summary, while minor head injuries can often be managed at home, the presence of a significant impact, visible injury, and symptoms like dizziness suggest that you should seek further evaluation from a healthcare provider. They may perform a neurological examination and possibly imaging studies, such as a CT scan, to rule out any serious complications. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to head injuries.

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