An accident that causes you to hit your head could cause a skull fracture. Because of the potential for an injury your brain, a skull fracture can be more serious than bones that break in other areas of the body.
Not all symptoms of skull fracture indicate damage to the brain. However, if any symptoms of skull fracture are present after a blow to the head, you should receive medical attention right away. If there is brain damage, prompt treatment could help to minimize the effects.
Possible brain damage
According to Merck Manuals, brain damage due to a skull fracture can result in neurological symptoms. These may include lack or coordination or loss of balance while moving or walking. You may experience paralysis, or an inability to move one of your limbs. You may have vision problems or difficulty recognizing your surroundings or the people around you. Other physical symptoms of possible brain damage from a skull fracture include headache, repeated vomiting and seizures.
Other symptoms
A skull fracture can cause blood to collect in cavities inside your head. This may cause reddish-purple bruising known as ecchymosis behind your ears or around your eyes. Blood can build up behind your eardrum, and if the pressure becomes too great, your eardrum may burst, causing bleeding of the ears.
In addition to blood, your skull also contains cerebrospinal fluid. CSF surrounds the brain and the spinal cord, supporting and protecting them. A skull fracture can cause the CSF to leak out, which may cause clear, watery discharge to flow from your ears and/or nose.
