Child Concussion

Wondering if your child has a concussion? Learn more with these eight tips.

"Don’t tell Coach, mom, but when I fell and hit my head on the ice at practice today, I felt dizzy and saw stars. He won’t let me play if he knows that, and I just have to be there for the game on Thursday."

A statement like this should be a red flag for every parent. Dizziness and stars are not signs of a usual fall – your child may have a concussion, which can happen when a force, such as that fall on the ice or a football tackle or a car crash, stops the head suddenly and the brain continues to move inside the skull.

Not every child is going to tell you about a fall or other injury, particularly if they don’t think they did any damage, and particularly if they’re a teen. Even if you don’t see any cuts or scrapes, trust your instincts. If you notice any of the symptoms below, get them checked out by your doctor, who may prescribe a week or more away from the activity to rest the brain. Symptoms may not show up immediately so keep an eye out.

  1. Not ‘feeling right'
  2. Mild to severe headache
  3. Dizziness
  4. Loss of appetite
  5. Nausea and/or vomiting
  6. Excessive sleepiness
  7. Difficulty remembering
  8. Unusual irritability

For more information on concussions and to download prevention posters, visit fraserhealth.ca/concussion


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