A bump on the back of the head has many possible causes, including
injuries
, cysts, fatty growths, inflamed hair follicles, and bone spurs. Bumps on this part of the body can be hard or soft, and they can vary in size. Injuries are a common cause of bumps and lumps on the back of the head.
When should I be worried about a bump on my head?
When to see a doctor for a bump on the head
A bulging soft spot on the top of the head
.
More than expected swelling or bruising
.
More fussiness or sleepiness than normal
.
Vomiting
.
Can a bump on your head be cancer?
A minor head injury
Lumps that come and go are usually not cancerous
. Sometimes, they can be traced to a specific event. For instance, did you recently bump your head in a fall or car accident? Following a minor head injury, a lump known as a scalp hematoma may appear as a small amount of blood pools under the skin.
What does it mean when a bump is hard?
Anyone concerned about a hard
lump
under their skin should see a doctor for a diagnosis. Hard lumps are often nothing more than a cyst or swollen lymph node. People should seek medical attention for a lump under the skin if: they notice any changes in the size or appearance of the lump.
Why is there a hard bump on my skull?
Head injuries can result in a
scalp hematoma
, or blood clot. If you experience a small head injury and a lump develops on your head, the developed hematoma is a sign that there is minor bleeding under the skin. These bumps typically go away after a few days.
Do brain tumors cause lumps on head?
“In almost all cases,
a brain tumor will not cause any lumps on the scalp
,” says Kathryn Boling, MD, a board certified family medicine practitioner with Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, MD. “The bones of the skull keep brain tumors from showing up as lumps,” adds Dr. Boling.
What does a tumor feel like on head?
Headaches that gradually become more frequent and more severe
.
Unexplained nausea or vomiting
.
Vision
problems, such as blurred vision, double vision or loss of peripheral vision. Gradual loss of sensation or movement in an arm or a leg.
Can stress cause lumps on head?
This common condition can be caused by a
yeast overgrowth
on your scalp, or by hair products that are drying out your scalp. Symptoms include bumps on your scalp as well as scaly, dry patches of skin underneath your hair. Stress and dehydration can make dandruff worse. So can itching.
What happens if you accidentally bump your head?
That means that if you hit your head and the brain swells, there
will be less room for blood
, which could mean the brain will become even more injured. Or, if you hit your head and the blood vessels in your brain start to bleed, the brain tissue may end up getting squished to make room for the blood.
How do you get rid of a swollen bump on your head?
Apply ice or cold packs
to reduce the swelling if your child will let you hold a cold pack on the injury. A “goose egg” lump may appear anyway, but ice will help ease the pain. Always keep a cloth between your child’s skin and the ice pack.
Are cancerous lumps hard or soft?
Cancerous lumps are
usually hard, painless and immovable
. Cysts or fatty lumps etc are usually slightly softer to touch and can move around.
How do you tell the difference between a cyst and a tumor?
A cyst is a sac or capsule that’s filled with tissue, fluid, air, or other material. A tumor is usually a solid mass of tissue.
Do boils leave a hard lump?
A boil usually
appears as a hard lump under the skin
. It then develops into a firm balloon-like growth under the skin as it fills up with pus.
How do you know if a bump on the head is serious?
Signs of a serious head injury.
Seek immediate medical attention
if, after a knock to the head, you notice any of these symptoms in either you or your child: unconsciousness, either briefly or for a longer period of time. difficulty staying awake or still being sleepy several hours after the injury.
How long can a head bump last?
Most head trauma only causes a scalp injury. The deep headache usually clears in 24 hours. The scalp pain at the site of impact may
last 3 days
. The swelling may take a week to go away.
What doctor do I see for a lump on my head?
Some types of head bumps (like cysts and lipoma) can be removed by a surgeon if they grow larger, begin obstructing or causing pressure to other parts of the body, or cause cosmetic distress. These, as well as some skin conditions like acne and folliculitis, may require a specialist such as
a dermatologist
.
