When dealing with a car crash, you are also likely to deal with a high possibility of head injury. Most times, the focus goes to impact injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussive damages.
But skull fractures pose as another, lesser-known issue that can cause just as much – if not even more – damage than impact injuries.
Problems arising from skull fractures
Merck Manuals discusses potential problems that can arise from a skull fracture. First, a skull fracture can cause damage to the brain itself. Impact damage to the brain is also a big problem, especially since it can cause swelling that can cut off blood circulation and result in cell death. But fractured skulls can result in part of the brain getting cut or jabbed. Bits of the skull can also end up embedded in the soft tissue, which may cause huge neurological problems.
Potential red flags
Symptoms often appear quickly and may take several different forms, including:
Loss of balance and lack of coordination
The inability to move one or more limbs
Complete paralysis
Excruciating headaches that worsen over time
Nausea and vomiting
Seizures
The inability to identify your surroundings or people near you
Blood can also pool in the cavities in your head, resulting in bruising behind the ears and around the eyes. If blood builds up behind the eardrums, they can burst, causing you to bleed from the ears as well. On top of that, a skull fracture can result in the loss of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which can leak from the nose and ears as a clear liquid.
Any of these signs indicate the possibility of severe injury and damage to the brain. If you see them, you should get the victim to immediate medical care.
