What can cause a bump on the head?
A bump on the back of the head has many possible causes, including injuries, cysts, fatty growths, inflamed hair follicles, and bone spurs. The bump on this part of the body can be hard or soft, and they can vary in size. Some lumps or bumps occur on the skin, under the skin, or on the bone.
10 causes of bumps on the head
There are many reasons why you could develop a bump or lump on the back of your head. Most are harmless. In rare cases, however, a lump on the head could indicate a more serious problem.
If you notice changes with the bump on your head, if it’s bleeding or painful, contact your doctor. To learn more about mental health see this article.
1. Head injury
An injury is a common cause of a bump on the back of the head. Possible causes of head injuries include:
Falling backward
Impact or collisions during contact sports
Car crashes
Violence
Hitting the head against the headrest of a car seat in a traffic accident
Blunt force traumas
A blow to the back of the head can cause a scalp hematoma, which is where a collection of blood just beneath the skin forms a semisolid bump. People sometimes refer to these bumps as “goose eggs.”
Treatment
People can usually treat minor head injuries at home with rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, and ice packs. However, more serious injuries can cause a concussion. A severe concussion can lead to dangerous complications if a person does not receive treatment.
The symptoms of concussion can include:
Confusion
Dizziness
Fainting
Nausea and vomiting
Problems with walking or balance
A severe headache
Slurred or affected speech
Vision problems
Loss of consciousness
People with symptoms of concussion should seek immediate medical attention. It is advisable for anyone who has hit their head very hard or been in a serious accident to go to the emergency room even if they do not yet have symptoms of concussions. A doctor can perform tests to rule out concussions and other brain injuries.
2. Ingrown hairs
If you shave your head, you may get ingrown hairs. An ingrown hair occurs when hair that is unable to grow out correctly grows back under the skin instead. If hairs become ingrown, they can cause raised, inflamed, itchy spots on the skin. These may occur if a person shaves their head. They are more likely to occur in people with curly hair.
Treatment
Most ingrown hairs will resolve without treatment, but a doctor may prescribe antibiotics if an infection develops. To minimize the risk of infection, people should avoid picking at the ingrown hair.
3. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a condition in which hair follicles on the scalp become inflamed. The inflammation can cause a pus-filled bump that may resemble a pimple and can grow larger.
The symptoms of folliculitis can include:
Itching
Inflammation
Soreness
Infection may occur in the affected follicles.
Treatment
At home, people can apply a warm compress to help reduce inflammation and drain the pus. They can also apply an antibiotic ointment and wash their hair with anti-dandruff shampoo. A doctor may recommend oral antibiotics or prescription creams or ointment for people with more severe scalp folliculitis. To get more information about weight loss and related drugs.
4.Seborrheic keratosis
Seborrheic keratosis is a noncancerous skin growth that looks and feels like warts. They typically appear on the head and neck of older adults. These bumps are usually harmless, even though they may look similar to skin cancer. For this reason, doctors rarely treat them. If your doctor is worried that seborrheic keratosis will become skin cancer, they may remove it using surgery.
5. Epidermoid cyst
An epidermoid cyst is a begin cyst consisting of cheese-like keratin inside a distinct sac wall. These cysts are common and not cancerous. Epidermoid cysts often have a visible punctum, which is a small central opening. They are the most common type of cutaneous cyst.
Treatment
A dermatologist may be able to remove the cyst. If they manage to remove it as a whole, with the sac wall intact, it is unlikely to grow back.
6. Pillar cyst
Pillar cysts are keratin-filled sacs that form around hair follicles. Pillar cysts most frequently occur on the scalp. They can range in size but are almost always smooth, dome-shaped, and skin-colored. These cysts aren’t painful to touch. They aren’t typically treated or removed unless they become infected, or for cosmetic reasons.
7. Lipoma
A lipoma is a soft, fatty growth that can develop underneath the skin. Lipomas can occur anywhere on the body, including the back of the head and neck. These bumps can vary in size, but they are not usually painful. A lipoma will typically feel soft and rubbery, and it may move around when a person presses down on it. Doctors do not fully understand what causes lipomas, but they occur most often in people aged 40-60 years and are slightly more common in males than in females.
Treatment
Lipomas are generally harmless and usually do not require treatment. However, if a lipoma becomes very large or is causing a person problems, a doctor may recommend surgical removal. Doctors may also suggest removal if they are uncertain whether the bump is a lipoma.
8. Pilomatrixoma
A pilomatrixoma is a hair follicle tumor that develops when follicle cells grow too much. It feels hard to the touch because it occurs after cells calcify under the skin. Pilomatrixoma develops in children and adults. These tumors commonly occur on the face, head, and neck. Typically, only one lump forms, and it grows slowly over time. There is a small chance pilomatrixoma can turn into cancer. For this reason, treatment is typically avoided. If the pilomatrixoma becomes infected, your doctor may remove it surgically.
9. Skin cancer
Some skin cancers can develop on skin that has frequent, intense sun exposure, like the face or a bald head. Skin cancers can appear as small lumps, but also sores, patches, or spots. Most skin cancers on the head don’t typically spread. But they should still be taken seriously. A doctor can make a proper diagnosis, which will determine the type of treatment you’ll need.
10. Exostosis
Exostosis is the growth of bone on top of existing bone. These bony growths often first appear in childhood. They can occur on any bone but rarely occur on the head. An X-ray can reveal if the bump on your head is an exostosis. Treatment for bony growths depends on what complications arise. In serious cases, you may require surgery.
Conclusion
If you have this type of cause you should talk to your doctor. I am a medical student. I researched The lump on my head hurts when pressed no injury. I hope this information was beneficial for you.
Writer name:
Ifrah Khalid
