Surrey First Aid Training does not teach the application of either ice or a cold compress to a head injury and we recommend that the NICE guidelines are followed when treating a baby or child with a head injury.

The reason for this is that if a head injury is severe enough a lump or bump will often appear at the point of contact. This lump or bump may only be swelling on the outside of the head, but it can also be an indication of a more serious injury within the skull, that is to say a brain injury. We advise that you should let the bump ‘grow and show’, as this will allow the carer of the child to assess the size and seriousness of injury.

If a large bump or lump appears after contact accompanied by other signs, it is possible that the injury is likely to be serious and the child should go to hospital for further assessment. Please see our Guidance on Head Injuries which we teach during our Paediatric First Aid training courses.