How long does a bump on the head take to go away? A healing guide

September 23, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the CDC, millions of people visit the emergency room for traumatic brain injuries each year, but many head bumps are minor and heal on their own. This guide provides an authoritative look at the recovery process, addressing the common question: How long does a bump on the head take to go away?

Quick Summary

Most minor head bumps, known as 'goose eggs,' will start to shrink within a few days, with the swelling and bruising resolving over one to two weeks. The exact healing timeline depends on the severity of the injury and the size of the hematoma, with home care often speeding up recovery.

Key Points

Timeline Varies: Most minor bumps or 'goose eggs' fade within one to two weeks, but larger hematomas can take longer to fully resolve.
Initial Care is Key: Immediately applying a cold compress can significantly reduce swelling and size in the first 48 hours.
Watch for Serious Symptoms: Red flags like loss of consciousness, severe headache, confusion, or repeated vomiting require immediate medical attention.
Avoid Certain Painkillers: Skip aspirin and NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) in the initial healing period as they can increase bleeding; opt for acetaminophen instead.
Rest is Important: Allowing your brain and body to rest after an impact is crucial for proper healing, especially if you feel dazed or groggy.
Not All Bumps Are Injuries: Persistent or unusual bumps might be caused by other conditions like cysts or lipomas and should be evaluated by a doctor.

The Anatomy of a Head Bump (Goose Egg)

When you hit your head, the impact damages small blood vessels beneath the scalp. Because the scalp is rich with blood vessels, this damage can cause a significant amount of blood to pool in one area, creating a raised lump called a hematoma. Due to the dense concentration of capillaries and limited space for swelling on the skull, the collection of blood is often pushed outward, forming the noticeable bump or "goose egg". This pooling of blood is what causes the characteristic dark purple or bluish color that gradually changes over time.

The Healing Timeline for a Minor Bump

The healing process for a simple head bump typically follows a predictable sequence. For a small bump from a minor incident, the timeline is usually quite short.

Days 1-3: The Swelling Phase

Immediately after the injury, the bump will appear and likely feel sore and tender. Swelling will be at its peak during the first 24 to 48 hours. Applying a cold compress during this initial period is crucial to help constrict blood vessels and limit the size of the hematoma. You may also notice discoloration, often a deep red or purple, as blood leaks into the surrounding tissue.

Week 1: The Discoloration and Reduction Phase

After a few days, the initial swelling will begin to subside, and the lump will start to shrink. The color of the bump will also start to change as the body reabsorbs the blood. This process causes the hematoma to change from purplish-black to a reddish-blue and then to a yellowish-green.

Weeks 2-4: The Final Healing Phase

Within one to two weeks, the bump should be mostly gone, leaving behind only a faint bruise. A larger or deeper hematoma may take several weeks or even a few months to fully resolve. By the end of this period, the tenderness and discoloration should have completely disappeared, and the area should feel normal again.

Home Treatment to Speed Up Recovery

For most minor head bumps, at-home care is all that is needed. Following these steps can help manage pain and swelling and promote faster healing.

The RICE Method adapted for head injuries:

Rest: For the first 24 hours after an injury, especially a significant one, it's important to rest and avoid strenuous activity. This helps your body focus on healing and allows the brain to recover. Rest is particularly important if you feel dazed or groggy.
Ice: Apply a cold compress or an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel to the affected area. Apply for a limited time at intervals during the first 48 hours to minimize swelling.
Elevation: While difficult for a head injury, keeping your head elevated can help. Try sleeping with your head propped up on extra pillows to reduce swelling overnight.
Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used to manage pain. It is critical to avoid aspirin or NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) in the first 24-48 hours, as they can thin the blood and increase bleeding.

When a Head Bump Is More Than Just a Bump

It is important to differentiate between a simple goose egg and a potentially more serious head injury, such as a concussion. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that temporarily affects how the brain functions, and its symptoms can sometimes be delayed.

Comparison: Minor Bump vs. Concussion


Feature	Minor Head Bump (Goose Egg)	Concussion (Mild TBI)
Primary Issue	Bruising and swelling of the scalp.	Temporary disruption of normal brain function.
Onset of Symptoms	Immediate pain and swelling at the site of impact.	Immediate or delayed onset of physical, cognitive, or emotional symptoms.
Key Symptoms	Localized tenderness, swelling, and bruising.	Headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, memory issues, sensitivity to light/noise, fatigue.
Timeline	Visible bump resolves in days to weeks.	Symptoms can last days, weeks, or even months.
Required Care	Rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relief for minor cases.	Medical evaluation is required, with cognitive and physical rest recommended.
Emergency?	Typically not.	Potentially, especially with severe or worsening symptoms.

Serious Signs That Require Medical Attention

While most head bumps are harmless, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical care. Seek professional help if you or someone you're monitoring exhibits any of the following:

Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
Worsening or severe headache
Repeated vomiting or nausea
Confusion, disorientation, or agitation
Slurred speech or other speech difficulties
Weakness, numbness, or decreased coordination
Fluid (clear or bloody) draining from the ears or nose
Unequal pupil size
Convulsions or seizures
Extreme drowsiness or inability to be awakened
Signs of a skull fracture, such as bruising around the eyes (raccoon eyes) or behind the ears (Battle's sign)

It is always best to be cautious with head injuries. If you are concerned about a bump, speaking with a healthcare professional can provide peace of mind and ensure the right steps are taken. For reliable information on recovery, consult official sources like the CDC's guidelines on traumatic brain injury [https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/response/index.html].

Other Potential Causes of Head Bumps

It's also worth noting that not all bumps on the head are from injuries. Other, non-traumatic causes can include:

Cysts: Pilar cysts are slow-growing, fluid-filled sacs that can appear on the scalp and require professional removal if they don't resolve.
Lipomas: These are soft, fatty tumors that are typically benign and movable under the skin.
Infections: Folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles) can cause small, pimple-like bumps on the scalp.
Insect Bites: Bites can cause a localized, swollen, and sometimes pus-filled bump.

Each of these conditions has a different timeline and treatment approach. An uninjured bump that is persistent or grows larger should be evaluated by a doctor to determine its cause.

Conclusion

Understanding how long a bump on the head takes to go away is a matter of knowing the cause and severity. While most bumps from minor injuries will resolve within a couple of weeks with proper home care, vigilance for more serious symptoms is key. Promptly seeking medical attention for any red flags, such as loss of consciousness, persistent vomiting, or worsening headache, can prevent potential complications. By monitoring symptoms and providing simple first aid, you can confidently manage most common head bumps.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 'goose egg' is a colloquial term for a type of hematoma, which is a collection of blood that pools under the skin of the scalp after an injury. The swelling is caused by broken blood vessels and is often more pronounced on the head due to its limited fatty tissue.

For a minor bump, follow the RICE method: Rest, Ice (apply a cold pack wrapped in a towel), and Elevation (keep your head propped up). Acetaminophen can be used for pain relief, but avoid aspirin and NSAIDs initially.

You should seek medical attention immediately if you or someone else experiences loss of consciousness, persistent or worsening headaches, repeated vomiting, confusion, or any changes in vision or coordination after a head injury.

Yes, a head bump can occur alongside a concussion. A concussion is a mild brain injury, and its symptoms, such as dizziness, confusion, and fatigue, may appear hours or days after the initial impact. A head bump does not automatically mean a concussion has occurred, but you should monitor for symptoms.

The bruise associated with a head bump will change colors over its healing process, typically going from dark purple to yellowish-green. For a minor bump, the discoloration usually disappears within one to two weeks, though larger hematomas may take longer.

Yes, it is normal for the area around a head bump to remain tender and sensitive to the touch for several days or even a week after the injury. The tenderness should gradually subside as the swelling goes down and the healing progresses.

You should use a cold compress or ice pack for the first 24 to 48 hours to help reduce swelling. After this initial period, if the swelling has subsided, some people find applying gentle heat can help with comfort and circulation, but this should be done with caution.