Bump on the head: When is it serious?

Recently, my daughter got kicked in the head during a soccer game. She seemed fine at the time but later developed a sizable goose egg on her forehead. Is this a concern?

- No name given / Minnesota

Answer

Probably not. Head trauma is a common concern for parents, but not every bump in the head results in serious injury.

The forehead and scalp have an abundant blood supply. As a result, any injury to these areas often results in bleeding under the skin. When the bleeding is restricted to one area, it causes a swelling, or goose egg. Doctors refer to this as a hematoma.

Keep in mind that the size of the swelling isn't necessarily an indication of the severity of the head injury. Even a minor bump can cause a large goose egg. To reduce the swelling, apply ice to the injury as soon as possible. Although the swelling usually goes away within a few days, skin discoloration may persist for one to two weeks. If you're still concerned about your child's head injury, even if it seems minor, you should contact your doctor.

Occasionally, a blow to the head may be severe enough to cause bleeding in or around the brain. This type of bleeding is serious because it can put pressure on the brain. Seek immediate medical attention if your child exhibits the following signs or symptoms after a head injury:

• Headache
• Listlessness
• Imbalance
• Vomiting
• Unconsciousness

Although a concussion is unlikely with a hematoma, seek immediate medical attention if your child has memory loss or confusion after a head injury.

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