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Suggest Treatment For Forehead Injury
Question: Hello Doctor:
I was twirling my keys around on my lanyard on the way back to my dorm and I accidentally struck myself rather hard on the forehead. I saw stars and I was slightly dizzy for a few minutes. I am also slightly drowsy now, but that may be because it is rather late at night here.
When I got back to my dorm, I turned off the lights and my roommate shined my flashlight near my eyes to dilate my pupils to test for concussion; reflexes are normal. I have no issues with communicating or solving math problems, and no issues with remembering short-term or long-term things.
Should I be concerned? The keys also cut a gash in my forehead. The bleeding stopped now but I have a cut and a raised, sore bump on my forehead. Not really dizzy anymore, but I have kind of a headache. Still sort of sleepy, but it's the kind of sleepiness I have every night before bed.
Thank you Doctor.
I was twirling my keys around on my lanyard on the way back to my dorm and I accidentally struck myself rather hard on the forehead. I saw stars and I was slightly dizzy for a few minutes. I am also slightly drowsy now, but that may be because it is rather late at night here.
When I got back to my dorm, I turned off the lights and my roommate shined my flashlight near my eyes to dilate my pupils to test for concussion; reflexes are normal. I have no issues with communicating or solving math problems, and no issues with remembering short-term or long-term things.
Should I be concerned? The keys also cut a gash in my forehead. The bleeding stopped now but I have a cut and a raised, sore bump on my forehead. Not really dizzy anymore, but I have kind of a headache. Still sort of sleepy, but it's the kind of sleepiness I have every night before bed.
Thank you Doctor.
Brief Answer:
Please get your forehead injury cleaned and watch for symptoms listed below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
Sorry to hear about the forehead injury you had. Hope the pain is bearable and you are not having any other symptoms except the ones mentioned by you
The cut on your forehead requires to be cleaned and sutured if it is big. Tetanus toxoid is to be given within 24 hours if you are not vaccinated. You can take pain relievers like aspirin every 6 hours if you have the pain.
Head injuries need to be observed for the first 24 hours. The following are alarming symptoms (within first 24 hours) of a head injury that needs an emergency doctors attention.
1. Vomiting
2. Seizures
3. Persisting neurological deficits
4. Difficulty in maintaining gait
5. Vision problems
6. Increasing severity of headache
7. Abnormal behavior
Should any of the above symptoms occur within 24 hours then you need to see a doctor immediately and get a CT scan brain done.
If necessary a CT scan of the head may be done after clinical evaluation to evaluate any injury inside the head if significant discomfort persists even after a day.
You can go to bed and sleep but please watch out for the above mentioned symptoms until tomorrow night.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Please get your forehead injury cleaned and watch for symptoms listed below
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
Sorry to hear about the forehead injury you had. Hope the pain is bearable and you are not having any other symptoms except the ones mentioned by you
The cut on your forehead requires to be cleaned and sutured if it is big. Tetanus toxoid is to be given within 24 hours if you are not vaccinated. You can take pain relievers like aspirin every 6 hours if you have the pain.
Head injuries need to be observed for the first 24 hours. The following are alarming symptoms (within first 24 hours) of a head injury that needs an emergency doctors attention.
1. Vomiting
2. Seizures
3. Persisting neurological deficits
4. Difficulty in maintaining gait
5. Vision problems
6. Increasing severity of headache
7. Abnormal behavior
Should any of the above symptoms occur within 24 hours then you need to see a doctor immediately and get a CT scan brain done.
If necessary a CT scan of the head may be done after clinical evaluation to evaluate any injury inside the head if significant discomfort persists even after a day.
You can go to bed and sleep but please watch out for the above mentioned symptoms until tomorrow night.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Salutations, Dr. Chail:
Thank you for your expedient response. I made sure to get plenty of rest. Thankfully I received my tetanus booster last year. The cut has not reopened. It is about 1.5 cm in length, and approximately 0.2 cm at the widest point. There is still a raised, sore bump at the cuts center, the widest point.
It has been about 24 hours now; no seizures, no dizziness, no nausea, no vomiting, and no vision problems have appeared. I went about my day as normal and was able to complete tasks as usual without difficulty. The headache itself still remains, however.
It isn't a migraine-like headache. It feels more like a localized, faint "pressure" on the front of the forehead, but not inside it. It causes this odd sensation over my left eye, as if there was a small amount of weight above it.
I will write tomorrow how things persist. If this pressure continues of worsens, I will defiantly visit the clinic when it opens on Monday.
Thank you for your help Doctor.
Very Respectfully,
XXXX
Thank you for your expedient response. I made sure to get plenty of rest. Thankfully I received my tetanus booster last year. The cut has not reopened. It is about 1.5 cm in length, and approximately 0.2 cm at the widest point. There is still a raised, sore bump at the cuts center, the widest point.
It has been about 24 hours now; no seizures, no dizziness, no nausea, no vomiting, and no vision problems have appeared. I went about my day as normal and was able to complete tasks as usual without difficulty. The headache itself still remains, however.
It isn't a migraine-like headache. It feels more like a localized, faint "pressure" on the front of the forehead, but not inside it. It causes this odd sensation over my left eye, as if there was a small amount of weight above it.
I will write tomorrow how things persist. If this pressure continues of worsens, I will defiantly visit the clinic when it opens on Monday.
Thank you for your help Doctor.
Very Respectfully,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Please apply neosporin over the wound to avoid infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. I am happy to know that you have taken the tetanus shot last year and taken adequate rest.
2. You can apply any over the counter antiseptic ointment like neosporin on the wound for better healing and to avoid infections.
3. I understand that the pressure over left eye and wound is due to mild swelling and will resolve in the next few days. However should you feel significant pain then you can take a tylenol after food every 6 to 8 hours to feel better.
If there is worsening then please report to your clinic immediately. Hoping for a quick recovery.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Please apply neosporin over the wound to avoid infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. I am happy to know that you have taken the tetanus shot last year and taken adequate rest.
2. You can apply any over the counter antiseptic ointment like neosporin on the wound for better healing and to avoid infections.
3. I understand that the pressure over left eye and wound is due to mild swelling and will resolve in the next few days. However should you feel significant pain then you can take a tylenol after food every 6 to 8 hours to feel better.
If there is worsening then please report to your clinic immediately. Hoping for a quick recovery.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Chail:
Thank you very much for all your advice. I applied antiseptic and covered the wound. Since yesterday it has been healing nicely.
Ah, yes. It would make sense that the pressure would have been due to swelling. I didn't think of that! But today, all has been well. The pressure is gone and the wound is healing well. I just wanted to write to thank you for all your help over the past few days.
Thank you very much, Doctor!
Very Respectfully,
XXXX
Thank you very much for all your advice. I applied antiseptic and covered the wound. Since yesterday it has been healing nicely.
Ah, yes. It would make sense that the pressure would have been due to swelling. I didn't think of that! But today, all has been well. The pressure is gone and the wound is healing well. I just wanted to write to thank you for all your help over the past few days.
Thank you very much, Doctor!
Very Respectfully,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Wishing you good health
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome and thanks for sending in your query
Happy to hear that you are doing well.
Wishing you good health and end of the year seasons greetings.
Regards,
Wishing you good health
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome and thanks for sending in your query
Happy to hear that you are doing well.
Wishing you good health and end of the year seasons greetings.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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