A head injury is any trauma to the scalp, skull, or brain. The injury may be only a minor bump on the skull or a serious brain injury.

The Types of Head Injuries

There are four common types of traumatic head injury:

• Closed Injury – A closed injury does not break open your skull or penetrate brain tissue. However, it can still cause bruising or swelling of the brain
• Open Injury – An open injury is any damage that penetrates the skull. The damage may cause bleeding within the brain’s tissues. It may also produce skull fractures or cause the skull bones to press into your brain tissue.
• Concussion – A concussion occurs when your brain is shaken. It may lead to loss of consciousness and headache.
• Scalp Wounds – Your scalp is the skin that covers and protects your skull. Injuries to the scalp may lead to bleeding or tissue damage.