How long do head lumps take to go away? A complete guide

September 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to health data, most head bumps from minor trauma, often called 'goose eggs', resolve within a week or two with simple at-home care. Understanding exactly how long do head lumps take to go away depends heavily on their underlying cause, which can range from minor injuries to cysts or infections.

Quick Summary

The duration for a head lump to subside depends on its cause. While a minor injury typically resolves within a few days to a week with basic care, a more serious hematoma may take several weeks. Other causes, like cysts or lipomas, can persist indefinitely without medical intervention, and infection timelines vary.

Key Points

Duration Varies Widely: The time for a head lump to go away can range from a few days for a minor injury to a few weeks for a larger hematoma, while some lumps like cysts or lipomas may never fully disappear without treatment.
Cause Determines Timeline: A 'goose egg' from a head bump heals differently than a keratin-filled cyst or a fatty lipoma. Understanding the cause is the key to managing expectations for resolution.
Cysts and Lipomas Persist: Unlike injury-related swelling, benign cysts and lipomas on the head are slow-growing and typically do not resolve on their own, often requiring medical removal for resolution.
Treat Infections Promptly: Lumps caused by infections, such as folliculitis, require treatment like antibiotics to clear up, otherwise, they can persist and potentially worsen.
Monitor for Serious Symptoms: Any head lump accompanied by symptoms like severe headache, confusion, vision changes, or loss of consciousness necessitates immediate medical evaluation to rule out a more serious injury.
Consult a Professional: If a lump is persistent, growing, painful, or you are simply concerned, a doctor can provide a definitive diagnosis and treatment plan.

The Timeline for Lumps from Minor Injuries

Following a fall or bump, a common 'goose egg' forms due to swelling and minor bleeding under the skin. This lump, medically known as a scalp hematoma, is the body's natural response to trauma. The duration of these lumps is typically short.

Initial Swelling: The bump will likely be most prominent in the first few hours following the injury.
Pain Reduction: The associated pain usually starts to subside within 24 hours.
Bruising and Healing: As the body reabsorbs the pooled blood, bruising may appear. The swelling typically resolves over the course of a week, though it can take up to two weeks for larger hematomas.

For most minor injuries, applying a cold compress can help reduce swelling and discomfort. It is crucial to monitor for signs of concussion or more serious internal injury during this time, especially in the first 72 hours.

Understanding Head Lumps Caused by Cysts

Not all head lumps are the result of an injury. Cysts are sacs of fluid or semi-solid material that can develop under the skin. The two most common types found on the scalp are epidermoid and pilar cysts.

The Nature and Duration of Epidermoid Cysts

Epidermoid cysts are small, slow-growing, and often painless lumps that can develop on the scalp and face. They are caused by a buildup of keratin under the skin. While they are not harmful, they may not resolve on their own. They can stick around for months or years and typically only require removal if they become infected, painful, or for cosmetic reasons.

The Characteristics of Pilar Cysts

Pilar cysts are keratin-filled sacs that typically form around hair follicles on the scalp. They are also benign and slow-growing. Similar to epidermoid cysts, they can persist indefinitely without surgical intervention.

Infectious Causes and Their Recovery Timeline

Infections can cause swollen, painful bumps on the head that feel quite different from a simple bruise or a firm cyst. The most common infectious cause is folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicles.

Folliculitis can present as red, pimple-like bumps that may be pus-filled. With proper treatment, such as topical or oral antibiotics, these bumps can clear up within days or weeks. Without treatment, the infection may worsen, prolonging the recovery period and potentially leading to more severe complications. Conditions like ingrown hairs, which can become infected, follow a similar recovery pattern.

The Longevity of Lipomas

A lipoma is a soft, rubbery, fatty tissue tumor that grows slowly under the skin. While a common type of soft tissue tumor, they rarely appear on the head, but can occur on the neck and shoulders. They are almost always harmless and typically cause no pain. The key takeaway regarding lipomas is that they do not naturally go away on their own. If the bump becomes bothersome or grows significantly, surgical removal is an option, but often unnecessary.

A Comparison of Common Head Lumps


Feature	Minor Injury (Goose Egg)	Epidermoid Cyst	Pilar Cyst	Lipoma	Folliculitis
Cause	Trauma, minor bleeding	Keratin buildup	Keratin in hair follicle	Fatty tissue growth	Bacterial/fungal infection
Appearance	Swollen, bruised	Small, hard, skin-colored	Smooth, skin-colored	Soft, rubbery, mobile	Red, pimple-like, pus-filled
Feel	Tender, soft at first	Hard, firm	Smooth, firm	Soft, doughy, painless	Tender, sometimes itchy
Timeline	Days to a couple of weeks	Indefinite (often persists)	Indefinite (often persists)	Indefinite (rarely disappears)	Days to weeks with treatment

When to See a Doctor for a Head Lump

While many head lumps are benign and resolve on their own, certain signs warrant immediate medical attention. Never hesitate to seek help, especially following a head injury.

Loss of consciousness: If you or someone you know experienced any loss of consciousness, see a doctor immediately.
Severe headaches or nausea: Persistent or severe headaches, nausea, or repeated vomiting are red flags after a head injury.
Confusion or disorientation: Changes in behavior, extreme fatigue, confusion, or memory issues can indicate a concussion.
Changes in vision or hearing: Any impairment to vision, hearing, or speech should be evaluated by a medical professional.
Neurological symptoms: Weakness, numbness, or seizures are serious symptoms requiring prompt medical care.
Discharge from ears or nose: Clear or bloody fluid coming from the ears or nose can indicate a severe injury.
Oddly shaped or growing lumps: If a lump on your head is oddly shaped, growing, or doesn't go away after a few weeks, consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Additional information regarding head injuries can be found on authoritative medical websites such as Healthline.

Final Thoughts on Your Head Lump

The healing period for a head lump is highly dependent on what caused it. Minor bumps from injuries fade quickly, while cysts and lipomas may linger indefinitely. Infections need treatment to clear up efficiently. While most are harmless, remaining vigilant for any concerning symptoms is essential. Always consult a healthcare professional for persistent, painful, or unusual lumps to ensure a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 'goose egg' is a common term for a scalp hematoma caused by minor trauma. The swelling and bump should gradually decrease and go away within a week or two, though minor pain may last a few days.

Epidermoid and pilar cysts, common on the scalp, are unlikely to go away on their own. They are filled with keratin and can persist for months or even years. Medical removal is usually necessary for them to be completely gone.

No, lipomas are benign fatty tumors that do not typically go away naturally. They are slow-growing and painless, so they are often left alone. If removal is desired for cosmetic or comfort reasons, a medical procedure is needed.

To help a head bump heal faster, you can apply a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the area for 15-20 minutes several times a day for the first couple of days. This helps reduce swelling and pain.

A lump from folliculitis (an infected hair follicle) can last several days to weeks. The timeline depends on the severity and whether treatment, such as antibiotics or medicated shampoos, is used to clear the infection.

You should be concerned if the lump is not from a recent injury, if it persists for more than a few weeks, or if it changes in size, shape, or texture. Other concerning signs include severe pain, drainage, or accompanied by symptoms like fever.

For bumps caused by minor injuries, over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen can manage pain, and cold compresses can reduce swelling. For infectious causes, some antibiotic creams may help, but it's best to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis before self-treating.

While most head lumps are benign, a lump can sometimes indicate a more serious issue, especially following a traumatic injury. It's crucial to look out for 'red flag' symptoms like confusion, vision changes, or severe headaches and seek immediate medical care if they appear.