The injury may seem small. But for someone with a bleeding disorder, a blow to the head may need prompt medical care.
Bleeding disorders can make it harder for blood to clot. After a head injury, this can raise concern about bleeding inside the skull. A person may look and feel fine at first. Symptoms can appear later, and there may be no bump or bruise to see.
After a blow to the head, contact your bleeding disorders care team right away. Do this even if you feel well. Follow the emergency plan your team gave you.
Your care team may tell you to use your prescribed emergency treatment, go to an emergency department, or call 911. They may also recommend tests or tell you which symptoms to watch for.
Do not wait for severe symptoms before asking for help. If you cannot reach your care team quickly, seek emergency care. Tell the medical staff about the bleeding disorder as soon as you arrive.
Call 911 or get emergency care right away if any of these signs appear after a head injury:
Babies and young children may not be able to explain how they feel. Watch for crying that will not stop, vomiting, refusal to eat, unusual sleep, or behavior that seems different.
This list does not include every warning sign. If something seems wrong, seek medical advice at once.
An emergency team may use a CT scan to look for bleeding. But a scan does not treat a bleed.
The National Bleeding Disorders Foundation’s emergency guidelines say that clotting factor treatment should be given before tests when a bleed is suspected, especially after head trauma. The right treatment depends on the person’s bleeding disorder and care plan.
Tell the emergency team about the patient’s usual treatment. Ask them to contact the patient’s hematologist or Hemophilia Treatment Center. This is especially helpful if the team does not often treat bleeding disorders.
Share as much of this information as you can:
Bring the patient’s emergency letter and treatment product if the care plan tells you to. A medical ID card or bracelet can also help.
School brings playground time, sports, gym class, and busy halls. Children with bleeding disorders can take part in activities their care team recommends. School staff also need to know what to do if an injury occurs.
Before the school year starts, review your child’s emergency plan with the school nurse, teachers, and coaches. The plan should say:
A child may look well after a head injury and still need care. School staff should follow the plan before sending the child back to class or play.
A Section 504 plan or school health plan can put these steps in writing. Review it each year and when your child’s treatment changes.
Being active can help build strength and balance. Ask your care team which sports and activities are right for you or your child. Use a well-fitted helmet and other safety gear when needed. A helmet helps protect the head, but it cannot prevent every injury.
If an athlete may have a concussion, take them out of play right away. They should not return to sports that day. A health care provider should decide when it is safe to return. Follow the bleeding disorder emergency plan as well.
Keep these items easy to find:
Check the information often. Replace old papers and expired products as needed.
Not every bump on the head will cause a serious bleed. Still, a person with a bleeding disorder should not use symptoms alone to decide that a head injury is safe to watch at home.
Follow your emergency plan and contact your care team promptly. For severe or worsening symptoms, call 911 or seek emergency care.
LUX Infusion works with patients, families, and providers to help make bleeding disorder care easier to manage.
This article is for education and does not replace medical advice. Follow the emergency plan from your bleeding disorders care team. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911.
At LUX Infusion, our care team knows that managing a bleeding disorder takes planning. We work with patients, families, prescribing providers, Hemophilia Treatment Centers, and community groups. Our goal is to make care more personal and easier to manage.
Our care coordinators offer personal support and are available around the clock to help patients and families during treatment.
Learn more about LUX Infusion’s bleeding disorder services.
If you or a patient you care for is managing a bleeding disorder and looking for an infusion care partner who understands that care extends beyond treatment, we are here. Referring providers can submit a referral on our website. A welcome call goes out within four hours. If you’re a patient, click here.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider, or as legal advice. Please consult a physician or other healthcare professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here or on our website.
