When you suffer a blow to the head in a car crash, impact damage like concussions and traumatic brain injuries are not the only potential risk you may experience. You could also deal with a skull fracture.
Unfortunately, skull fractures can pose life-threatening issues and require immediate treatment. Thus, it is crucial to recognize signs of a skull fracture in a victim to get them medical help as fast as possible.
Soft tissue damage after fractures
Merck Manual discusses the potential repercussions of a skull fracture on your overall health and well-being. First, a skull fracture has the possibility of causing severe damage to the soft tissue of the brain. Jagged edges of the skull or dislodged pieces of bone can end up cutting or digging into the brain tissue, which can cause neurological problems and even permanent damage.
You will likely note signs of these neurological problems quickly. It can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and trouble with coordination. It can even result in partial paralysis of some limbs, or total paralysis. Piercing headaches also serve as a common symptom.
Red flag bruising
Blood can pool in the cavities of the skull as well, depending on the damage. You should look for bruising behind the ears and around the eyes. Blood may also pour from the ears if it builds up behind the eardrum, causing it to burst.
Finally, keep an eye out for clear fluid draining from the nose or ears. Skull fractures can cause the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the brain ventricles and the cranial and spinal subarachnoid spaces. It indicates the presence of severe injury and is yet another sign that quick medical attention is crucial.