Finding a bump on the back of your head is a common experience. While most head bumps are benign, understanding their potential origins can help. This article provides general information about common types of head bumps and when to seek medical guidance.
Common Causes of Bumps
Bumps on the back of the head can arise from various sources, including skin conditions, bone, or soft tissues. One frequent cause is a lipoma, a benign fatty tumor that forms beneath the skin. These are soft, doughy, and easily movable. Lipomas usually grow slowly and are generally painless.
Another common type is a sebaceous cyst, also known as an epidermal inclusion cyst. These result from blocked oil glands or hair follicles and contain a yellowish, cheesy material. Sebaceous cysts appear as smooth, firm, dome-shaped lumps, sometimes with a small dark pore. While typically harmless, they can become inflamed, tender, or infected.
Bumps can also be osteomas or exostoses, which are benign bone growths. These are hard, fixed lumps that develop on existing bone. Many osteomas are asymptomatic, but larger ones can cause symptoms like headaches or pressure.
Trauma-related lumps, such as hematomas, are common after a head injury. These occur when blood vessels under the skin break, leading to a collection of blood that forms a bruise and swelling. Such bumps are often tender and typically resolve within a few days.
Sometimes, a bump might be a swollen lymph node. Lymph nodes, part of the immune system, are located at the back of the head. They can swell in response to infections or inflammation in the scalp or nearby areas, feeling like tender, oval lumps.
Lastly, folliculitis or boils can present as bumps. Folliculitis is an inflammation or infection of hair follicles, appearing as red, pimple-like bumps that may have a pus-filled center. Boils are deeper, painful infections of a hair follicle, often red, tender, and warm, and may eventually come to a head with pus. These conditions are caused by bacteria.
When to Consult a Doctor
While many head bumps are benign, certain signs warrant medical attention. Consult a doctor if a bump shows rapid growth or a significant change in size or shape. Any bump that is painful, red, warm, or leaks pus or discharge could indicate an infection and should be evaluated.
Seek medical advice if the lump is hard, fixed, or irregular in shape, as these can indicate more serious conditions. If the bump appears after a significant head injury, especially if accompanied by symptoms like loss of consciousness, confusion, worsening headache, dizziness, vision changes, or repeated vomiting, seek immediate medical care. Persistent or worsening symptoms, or any bump that causes concern, also justify a doctor’s visit.
How Doctors Diagnose
Healthcare professionals typically begin with a detailed medical history, asking about the bump’s onset, associated symptoms, and general health. This is followed by a physical examination, where the doctor inspects the bump and feels its texture, size, mobility, and tenderness. This initial assessment often provides enough information for a preliminary diagnosis.
If the bump’s nature is not immediately clear, imaging tests may be recommended. These can include X-rays to assess bone structures, or CT and MRI scans to visualize soft tissues or identify internal bleeding. These studies help determine the bump’s location, size, and composition to determine its cause.
In rare instances, if a more serious condition is suspected, a biopsy might be performed. This involves taking a small tissue sample for laboratory analysis. The biopsy helps identify the bump’s composition, leading to a precise diagnosis and guiding treatment.
Treatment and Self-Care Options
Treatment varies depending on the bump’s cause. For many benign bumps, such as small lipomas or sebaceous cysts not causing symptoms, observation may be the primary course of action.
For minor bumps from trauma, self-care measures can help. Applying a cold compress or ice pack to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes can reduce swelling and pain. For folliculitis or non-infected cysts, warm compresses may reduce discomfort. Avoid squeezing or attempting to pop any bump, as this can worsen inflammation or introduce infection.
Medical interventions are available for bothersome, infected, or growing bumps. For infected cysts or boils, drainage might be performed by a healthcare professional, and antibiotics may be prescribed. Surgical removal is an option for larger benign growths, such as lipomas or cysts, especially if they cause pain or interfere with daily activities. If an underlying medical condition is contributing to the bump, treatment will focus on addressing that primary condition.