Periorbital Contusion (Black Eye) (Child)

Note about concussion

Because the injury was to your child's face or head, it's possible that they could have a mild brain injury called a concussion. Symptoms of a concussion can show up later. For this reason, you need to watch your child for concussion symptoms once you’re home. These include:

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Dizziness

• Sensitivity to light or noise

• Abnormal sleepiness or grogginess

• Trouble falling asleep

• Personality changes

• Vision changes

• Memory loss

• Confusion

• Trouble walking or clumsiness

• Loss of consciousness (even for a short time)

• Inability to be awakened

• Refusing to nurse or eat (infants)

• Will not stop crying and cannot be consoled (infants)

Home care

The healthcare provider may prescribe medicines for pain and inflammation. Follow all directions for giving these to your child.

General care

Here are suggestions for general home care: 

• Apply a cold pack wrapped in a thin, dry cloth to the injury. Do this for up to 15 minutes every hour while your child is awake. This is to help relieve swelling. Continue for 1 to 2 days or as directed.

• Babies ages 9 to 11 months: As often as possible, hold your child with their head higher than the heart for the first day. This is to help ease swelling.

• Children 12 months and up: Have your child rest with their head and shoulders raised on pillows for the first day or so. This is to help ease swelling.

• Don’t let your child rub the injured eye.

• Have your child rest or play quietly for 1 or 2 days. Make sure your child doesn’t play roughly. Don’t let your child play sports or run during this time.

• Follow the directions from your healthcare provider on how to use an eye shield.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your child’s healthcare provider or as advised.

Special note to parents

Healthcare providers are trained to see injuries such as this in young children as a sign of possible abuse. You may be asked questions about how your child was injured. Healthcare providers must, by law, ask you these questions. This is done to protect your child.

When to get medical advice

Call your child's healthcare provider right away if any of the following occur:

• Vision problems, such as blurred vision

• Loss of vision

• Bleeding on the surface of the eye

• Bruising that spreads

• Swelling or pain that doesn’t get better

• Nausea or vomiting

• Inability to move the eye

• Increased sensitivity to light

Call 911

Call 911 if any of the following occur:

• Trouble breathing

• Rapid heart rate

• Symptoms of concussion (listed above)

• Seizure

• Stiff neck