This blog was medically reviewed by Sheridan Byrne, PA-C, physician assistant in our neurosurgery program at Children’s Minnesota.
It’s scary when your child bumps their head, and many parents wonder when to worry. Whether it’s a tumble off a bike or a playground accident, you may wonder: Is this just a minor bump or something more serious? This guide will help you quickly decide what steps to take, when to seek medical help, and how to care for your child at home.
Head injuries are common in kids, but knowing what to do can be confusing. This blog will walk you through the types of head injuries, warning signs to watch for and when to call your doctor or head to the ER.
When to go to the ER
If your child bumps their head, it’s important to know when to take them to an emergency room (ER) as some head injuries need immediate medical attention.
Take your child to the ER or call 9-1-1 if your child:
- Has neck pain.
- Has a seizure.
- Has a visible facial injury or skull deformity.
- Loses consciousness.
- Has trouble waking up or is especially sleepy and unable to stay awake.
- Vomits after the injury, especially if vomiting more than once.
- Has a severe headache or headache gets worse.
- Has balance problems or shows a loss of coordination.
- Has weakness or tingling in arms or legs.
- Has double vision or one pupil larger than the other.
- Has slurred speech.
- Appears disoriented or has trouble responding to questions.
- Clear drainage from ears or nose, bruising under eyes or bruising behind ears.
- Severe mechanism of injury:
- Fall from > 5 feet (child > 2 y/o)
- Fall from > 3 feet (child < 2 y/o)
- Motor vehicle collision with: ejection from vehicle, death of another passenger or vehicle rollover.
- Pedestrian or bicyclist hit by a motorized vehicle without a helmet.
- Hit in head by high speed or high impact object.
- Has worsening or new symptoms.
Children’s Minnesota ER, whatever the emergency, we treat it with urgency.
When to call your pediatrician
It’s important to monitor your child closely for 24-48 hours after the injury. Sometimes your child may not need to go to the ER, but the bump is still concerning. We recommend calling your pediatrician if they:
- Vomit (even once)
- Feel dizzy or have a headache
- Have trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Show behavioral changes (irritability, sadness, confusion)
- Are sensitive to light or sound
- Seem “off” or not themselves
If your child’s head injury seems mild but symptoms continue, or if you notice a lump on their head after fall that doesn’t improve, reach out to your health care provider.
When to observe at home
For minor head bumps on toddlers and kids, it’s usually safe to watch your child at home and monitor for symptoms that typically resolve on their own. As a reminder, closely watch your child for symptoms for 24-48 hours after the bump. It’s typically safe to observe your child at home if they:
- Have mild scalp swelling (“goose egg”).
- Infants with a small goose egg on the forehead without other symptoms can be monitored at home.
- Have a small cut on the scalp.
- Complain of mild headache (that is not persistent or recurrent).
- Are alert and acting normally.
Common head injuries in children
Sometimes a toddler falls and hits the back of their head, or a baby gets a bump on their head from a fall. Unfortunately, toddler and baby head injuries are common. Here are the most common types of head injuries:
- Cuts or lacerations: a cut on the scalp.
- Contusions: a bruise of the scalp.
- Bumps or goose eggs: Swelling forms after a bump. The medical term for a bump on a head is called a hematoma.
- It is important to note that in babies, especially less than 6 months of age, a scalp hematoma on the side or back of the head especially if moderate/large warrants evaluation by a medical professional.
- Concussions: A brain injury that affects the way the brain works and leads to symptoms such as headache, dizziness and confusion.
Bumps or goose eggs on forehead
If a child hit their head and gets a bump, many parents wonder, how long will a bump on their head last? Typically, swelling forms after a bump and usually it’s minor swelling. We recommend using ice on the bump and to watch for any additional symptoms and/or more severe symptoms.
Cuts or lacerations
Cuts or lacerations to the head can be tricky to assess. It’s important to monitor a cut on the head for continued bleeding if it doesn’t stop with applied pressure. We recommend contacting your health care provider to discuss possible stitches or additional care.
Concussions
A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or body. The impact leads to a disruption in normal brain function and sometimes a loss of consciousness. A concussion is diagnosed based on symptoms that can occur immediately after the injury or are recognized hours, sometimes days, later.
Every concussion is different, so if your child has hit their head they may or may not present with one or more of the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Double or blurry vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to noise
- Confused or forgetful about recent events
- Feeling mentally “foggy”
- Feeling slowed down in thinking, speech, or movements
- Trouble concentrating
- Trouble remembering
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep
- Changes in mood — irritable, sad, emotional, or nervous
At Children’s Minnesota, our experts offer kid-tailored brain injury and concussion care.
How long does a bump on the head last?
Wondering if you will get a permanent bump on your forehead after hitting your head? Typically, swelling and bruising from a bump takes several days to a week to go away. Sometimes, a bump on your head from a fall or a lump on your head after fall can linger longer, especially if the injury was more severe. If you notice your swelling hasn’t disappeared after two weeks, consult your health care provider.
How the experts at Children’s Minnesota can help
It’s a common question for all parents: My toddler or newborn hit their head, when should I worry? We know that bumps to the head and head injuries can be scary as a parent. But Children’s Minnesota is here to help. We have emergency departments in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, a Level I Pediatric Trauma Care Center in Minneapolis, and we have several concussion clinic locations in the Twin Cities metro area. Plus, Children’s Minnesota’s neuroscience team, in collaboration with Noran Neurology and Minnesota Epilepsy Group, provides the most comprehensive services in the region, treating all forms of pediatric brain and nervous system injuries and illnesses.
As always, if you feel uncomfortable, if something feels wrong, or if you are questioning yourself, trust your gut and we always recommend consulting with your pediatrician or seeking medical care for your child.
Our Level I Pediatric Trauma Care Center in Minneapolis is Minnesota’s only Level I pediatric trauma care center in a hospital dedicated solely to kids.
