Is it normal for a child to have a bump on his head months after a fall?

Question

Is it normal for a child to have a bump on his head months after a fall?

Answer 1

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.