A painful bump on the head can be a concerning experience. While many are harmless and resolve on their own, understanding potential causes and knowing when to seek medical advice is important. This information helps distinguish between a minor injury and a condition requiring attention.
Common Explanations for Head Bumps
Head bumps often result from trauma, where an impact ruptures small blood vessels under the skin, forming a hematoma or “goose egg.” These appear as raised, bruised, tender areas. Brain contusions can also cause internal bleeding and swelling.
Cysts are another common cause. Sebaceous cysts form when a sebaceous gland blocks, creating a sac of oily material. They are usually soft, movable, and painless unless inflamed or infected, causing tenderness, redness, and warmth. Epidermoid cysts are similar, small, firm lumps filled with keratin, a protein found in skin, which can also become inflamed.
Lipomas are soft, fatty lumps that develop slowly beneath the skin. These benign tumors are generally painless, feeling soft and rubbery, and move easily. While less common on the head, they can become tender if they press on nerves or contain many blood vessels.
Infections can also cause painful head bumps. Folliculitis, an inflammation of hair follicles often due to bacterial or fungal infection, causes small, inflamed, sometimes pus-filled bumps that may be itchy, burning, or tender. Worsening infections can lead to abscesses, which are larger, painful, warm, pus-filled pockets.
Other benign growths include osteomas, benign bone tumors typically forming on the skull. While often asymptomatic and slow-growing, they can cause pain or discomfort if large or located in areas like the forehead, potentially leading to headaches. These firm, bony lumps are generally harmless.
When a Head Bump Needs Medical Attention
Certain symptoms accompanying a head bump warrant immediate medical evaluation. Neurological symptoms are particularly concerning and include:
Loss of consciousness (even brief)
Confusion or disorientation
Severe or worsening headache
Repeated nausea and vomiting
Vision changes (e.g., blurriness, unequal pupil sizes)
Slurred speech
One-sided weakness or numbness
Difficulty with balance or walking
Seizures
Signs of spreading infection are red flags, including:
Fever
Rapidly spreading redness
Increased warmth
Pus draining from the bump
Red streaks extending from the bump
Rapid growth, significant changes in color or texture, or if the bump becomes extremely hard and immovable (especially if previously soft) should be evaluated. Severe, persistent pain not improving with self-care also warrants medical advice.
The injury’s circumstances are also important. Medical evaluation is recommended if the bump resulted from a high-impact incident (e.g., car crash, significant fall, sports collision), even if initial symptoms seem mild. Also seek care if there was memory loss around the injury, or if clear fluid or blood leaks from the nose or ears, indicating a potentially serious skull or brain injury.
What to Do for a Head Bump
For minor head bumps, immediate self-care can manage swelling and discomfort. Apply a cold compress or ice pack (wrapped in cloth) to the area for up to 20 minutes to reduce swelling and pain. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can alleviate discomfort. Continuously monitor the bump and the individual for any changes in symptoms or characteristics over the following hours and days.
The decision to monitor at home versus seeking medical attention depends on observed symptoms. If the bump is small, the person alert, and no concerning neurological or infection signs are present, home monitoring may suffice. However, if any red flag symptoms develop, or if there is doubt about injury severity, seek professional medical advice.
When medical attention is sought, a doctor will perform a physical examination and ask about the bump’s history and associated symptoms. Imaging tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) scan for fractures, bleeding, or brain swelling, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for soft tissues, may be ordered. Treatment varies based on diagnosis, from observation for benign conditions to medication (e.g., antibiotics for infections) or minor procedures like draining a cyst. Professional medical guidance ensures appropriate care.