Bumps on the head can be a symptom of many different health conditions, most of which are nothing to worry about. But in some cases, bumps on the head can be a sign of something more serious and may even require an urgent visit to the doctor.
This guide from HealthTap helps to narrow down the causes of head bumps and provides an overview of available treatments.
What causes bumps on the head?
There are potentially dozens of different causes of head bumps. In most cases, they are nothing to worry about and will go away on their own. In other cases, a head bump warrants a visit to the doctor.
Here are the 10 most common causes of head bumps, ranging from the least to most serious.
1. Ingrown hair
An ingrown hairpus
While ingrown hairs are generally harmless, they can feel uncomfortable. For those who shave their heads, the best way to prevent ingrown hairs is to exfoliate the skin and to use a clean razor when shaving.
2. Folliculitis
While it’s commonly confused with acne, folliculitis is a different type of infection. It happens when bacteria or fungi infect hair follicles, which can make them red, inflamed, and — depending on their severity — painful to touch.
Folliculitis can happen anywhere on the body, including the head. It can also cause symptoms like itching, burning, and soreness. Untreated, inflamed hair follicles can turn into open sores.
This can be prevented by keeping folliculitis-prone areas clean, usually with an antifungal soap. It may also help to shave less often and avoid wearing tight-fitting hats.
3. Acne
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting about 10% of the world population. Acne is typically caused by a combination of genetics, oil buildup, and bacteria. It can cause skin problems that range from small white bumps to deep painful cysts.
In addition to the face, back, and chest, acne can also pop up on the head. Preventing pimples requires a holistic approach, which includes not only acne-fighting medication, but lifestyle changes, like a low-sugar diet and stress reduction.
4. Insect bite
An insect bite on the head, such as from a mosquito, can cause a bump to form. Some other possible insect bites include those from a flea, tick, spider, bee, or ant. Some bites may be extremely painful, while others may be barely noticeable.
Many insect bites tend to be small. But for some people with a more hyperactive immune response, these bites can swell up and cause a bump to form, especially if bitten on the head.
5. Head injury
Any physical trauma to the head is considered a head injury. It can happen from playing contact sports, falling down, getting into a car accident, or even just walking into something.
If a bump appears right after the head injury, that’s very likely what caused it. If it’s accompanied by symptoms such as mental confusion, then the bump could be a sign of a concussion or other brain injury. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury and requires immediate attention from healthcare professionals.
Head trauma can also cause a hematoma (swelling and bruising) or a blood clot, which is bleeding under the skin. In more serious cases, a large blood clot can be a sign of bleeding in the brain, which requires immediate medical attention.
6. Cyst
A cyst is a “sac” under the skin, which can be filled with either a type of fluid or air. They appear white, yellow, or skin-colored. If they get infected, they can even become red and painful to the touch.
There are two main types of cysts:
Epidermoid cyst
This type of cyst is a small, hard lump that forms close to the top layer of the skin. In most cases, epidermoid cysts appear on the scalp. They’re caused by a build-up of keratin (the protein that makes up hair), are rarely painful, and will usually go away on their own.Pilar cyst
This type of cyst is virtually identical to the epidermoid cyst, except that it grows deep inside the hair follicle. Because they’re not painful, they typically don’t need to be removed.
7. Lipoma
A lipoma is a type of tumor, or a mass of tissue that occurs when cells grow and divide more than they should. A lipoma is mostly made up of fatty tissue, which is why it feels soft and may move when touched. A lipoma is not cancerous and rarely needs to be removed unless it grows too big.
8. Bone spur
A bone spur happens when bone grows on existing bone, and it’s most likely to affect children. In recent years, researchers have discovered that young people are growing “horn-like” projections in the back of the head, which happens from tilting the head forward too often (most likely due to being on the phone too often).
9. Skin cancer
The head is the area of the body most exposed to the sun, which increases the risk of skin cancer. Skin cancer can appear in many forms, such as spots, sores, and even small lumps.
10. Tumor
Although fairly rare, a small bump on the head can be a sign of a tumor. While most tumors are non-cancerous, it’s still possible for a tumor to be a sign of cancer, which is uncontrolled cell growth that can spread to other parts of the body.
When to see a doctor for a bump on the head
While the above can be used as a guide, it’s hard to determine if a bump on the head warrants a doctor’s visit. Some serious conditions, like skin cancer, may not have any other symptoms that feel like an emergency. This can make people go a long time without being seen.
It’s important to see a primary care provider for regular check-ups so they can see if anything is out of the ordinary.
However, if a head bump is accompanied by the following symptoms, it likely warrants an urgent visit to a medical professional:
The bump is extremely painful.
The bump has an irregular appearance or size.
The bump is bleeding.
The bump is red, inflamed, and warm to the touch.
Symptoms like loss of consciousness, slurred speech, and memory loss can be a sign of a severe head injury — especially if accompanied by a head bump. This requires emergency medical attention.
How is a head bump diagnosed and treated?
Before starting treatment, a doctor has to diagnose the head bump. To do this, they may do a blood test, conduct a skin biopsy (which is when a piece of skin is removed and sent to a lab for testing), or do a type of imaging test, such as a CT scan.
Next, depending on what caused the head bump, a doctor may recommend any of the following treatments.
If the head bump is caused by a skin infection
Skin infectionspermanent hair removal
If the head bump is caused by an injury
A head bump can be treated with an ice pack, which can help to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain. In some cases, over-the-counter painkillers, like ibuprofen, can be used to relieve some of the pain. Unless the head bump was caused by a serious head injury, it usually goes away on its own within a few days or weeks.
If the head bump is caused by a noncancerous growth
Growthsother non-cancerous tumors
If the head bump is caused by cancer
If a skin biopsy shows that a head bump contains cancerous cells, then it will likely need to be removed with surgery. This can help keep it from spreading to other parts of the body. Some types and stages of skin cancer may require chemotherapy in addition to surgery.
Takeaways
A head bump has many potential causes, many of which are not serious. If your mild head injury concerns you, then it’s best to speak with a medical professional. If a head bump is extremely painful, is oozing discharge or blood, or has a strange appearance, it’s important to seek medical care right away.
HealthTap can connect you to a low-cost health care provider to discuss your symptoms and get a diagnosis — without ever leaving your home. Connect using our virtual platform today.
