Head Bumps: Causes, Red Flags, and When to See a Doctor

Common Causes

• Scalp Laceration: Raised skin flap from a cut.
• Hematoma: Blood collection under the scalp after trauma.
• Concussion: May present with a small, firm lump plus dizziness, nausea, light sensitivity.
• Skull Fracture: Swelling or deformity; requires urgent care.
• Sebaceous Cyst: Benign, blocked oil gland; often movable.
• Dermoid Cyst: Congenital; contains skin structures.
• Infected Hair Follicle (Folliculitis): Pus‑filled, tender bump.
• Skin Cancer (e.g., Basal Cell Carcinoma): Pearly, ulcerated, or bleeding lesion.
• Lipoma: Soft, movable fatty tumor.
• Osteoma: Hard, bony growth on the skull.
• Soft‑Tissue Mass: Rare; includes neuromas, sarcomas.

When to Seek Immediate Care

• Loss of consciousness, vomiting, severe headache, unequal pupils, clear fluid from nose/ears.
• Rapidly growing, hard, fixed, or bleeding lump.
• Neurologic deficits (weakness, vision changes, speech difficulty).

Next Steps

Any new or changing head lump warrants medical evaluation. Imaging (CT/MRI) or biopsy may be needed for diagnosis.