How to Treat a Forehead Injury With Eye Swelling
A frontal lobe (forehead) injury can be life-threatening if it is not properly treated. A subdural hematoma (interior swelling) around one or both eyes can indicate further swelling underneath the skin, and possibly extend to the frontal lobe of the brain. Treating a forehead injury with eye swelling must begin by seeking immediate medical attention.
Instructions
-
Seek Immediate Medical Attention For a Forehead Injury
-
1
Contact a doctor and explain your condition. Provide details regarding when and how the incident occurred. Detail any side effects you have been experiencing as a result of your injury, and specifically mention any pain, nausea or vomiting.
-
2
Get emergency medical help immediately if you are experiencing any signs of serious head injury. Signs of serious head injury include: pupil changes, convulsions, facial bruising or swelling, scalp wound, difficulty with your senses, smell, taste, hearing or sight. Additional signs may include: loss of consciousness, feelings of confusion, drowsiness, restlessness, loss of motor skills, headache, vomiting or nausea and stiff neck. Ask a friend or family member to drive you to the hospital, or call 911. Do not drive yourself to the hospital, as your injury can worsen and cause you to lose consciousness.
-
-
3
Request an X-ray upon arriving at the medical facility. Because there is swelling, it is important to know the source of the swelling to ensure that there is not a frontal lobe skull fracture. If an X-ray shows no sign of fracture, ask for a CT scan, which sees beyond the scope of a normal X-ray to pinpoint the cause of internal swelling. If there is a skull fracture, or fracture to the eye socket, a CT scan will uncover it.
-
4
Follow your doctor's advice with regard to seeking treatment. If your doctor does not feel your injury is serious enough to warrant medical attention, apply an ice pack to the swelling. Do this every 30 minutes, or as needed until the swelling has noticeably decreased. Use Ibuprofen, as needed, every four to six hours to help reduce swelling and control pain.
-
5
Follow up with an opthamologist. if there is damage to your eye. If there is no eye damage, only exterior swelling to the socket, then an opthamologist may not be needed. Follow the advice of the doctor who has treated your injury.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Get help as soon as possible. The sooner you are able to be treated, the greater the chance that you will recover from any potentially life-threatening circumstances.
If your injury is fresh, do not attempt to clean or dress the wounds. If you are bleeding, hold a clean towel on the affected area and use pressure to keep the towel in place, while you seek emergency medical treatment. Never attempt to dress the wound yourself.
