Treatment for a Concussion

Step 1: Stop play or activity

If you believe that you or someone you know has a concussion, stop all play and activity. Athletes should be removed from the game. Don’t try to tough it out or hide the head injury.

Step 2: Assess for signs and symptoms of concussion

Keep the person still and assess for signs and symptoms of concussion. The Head Case Mobile App will take you through a series of questions and guide you through performing a concussion evaluation. For helpful info to consider during a concussion test see Symptoms and Signs of a Concussion.

Step 3: Seek advice from a healthcare professional

If you or someone you know is vomiting repeatedly, has a seizure, passes out, or is unable to wake up, call 911 immediately.

If you or someone you know displays signs or symptoms of concussion, seek advice from a medical health professional. If in doubt, call the doctor or 911.

A doctor will ask detailed questions about the head impact and may perform a neurological exam to check memory, hearing, vision, balance, coordination, and reflexes.

The doctor may also perform a cranial computed tomography (CT) scan to assess the brain after injury. A CT scanner takes multiple two-dimensional X-rays to produce detailed, three-dimensional images of the skull and brain.

Step 4: Observation and recovery

The medical provider may decide to hospitalize the concussion patient overnight for observation. If the patient is allowed to go home, someone should check on the patient every few hours for at least 24 to 48 hours.

For pain: Over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help with mild pain. Aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) may make bruising worse.

Reduce any swelling with an ice pack or damp cloths: This can help prevent brain swelling. Be sure to monitor the body temperature to prevent any temperature extremes.

Rest from mental and physical activities: If your child has sustained a concussion, it is important to rest both mentally and physically to allow the brain adequate time to heal. Mental activities that involve concentration (such as studying, working on a computer, watching TV or playing video games) may cause concussion symptoms to reappear or worsen.

Allow adequate time for healing before returning to play: Don’t return to play or activity too soon. Follow your medical provider’s advice for rest and healing. Repeat concussions while the brain is still healing can cause long-term problems or permanent brain damage.

Do not return to play or activity while signs or symptoms of a concussion are present. Experts recommend that athletes who have sustained a sports concussion should not return to play the day of the injury.

Step 5: Keep all parties informed

Be sure to inform the coach, trainer, and any additional appropriate parties about all previous concussions received in sports or other activities. By keeping all parties up to date and by documenting concussions and head impact, informed decisions can be made regarding an athlete’s head health and proper concussion management.