Soft spot on side of head

Resi · #1 July 15th, 2009, 03:13 PM

I noticed that Oliver has a soft spot on the side of his head today. It seems to be tender to the touch. I think it's where he hit his head when he fell on Sunday. What would cause it to become soft? Maybe the last couple nights he was crying in his sleep because it hurt and I thought it was his teeth? I'm a little worried. He is acting normal. I plan to call the doctor in the morning to be on the safe side.

alicenwonderland · #2 July 15th, 2009, 04:20 PM

its possible that its a pocket of blood from a bruise. That would make it tender as well. Otherwise idk, a doctor's visit probably isn't a bad idea. Did you check to make sure the other side of his head feels the same?

ETA: in my experience, soft is usually good. Hard and swollen are usually bad. Also look out for a runny nose or ears, with thin clear fluid. But of course i have no experience with children. KUP

Mars · #3 July 15th, 2009, 04:29 PM

I have no idea but calling the doc seems like a good idea.

soImarriedAnerd · #4 July 15th, 2009, 08:39 PM

he could have a little hematoma (pocket blood bruise--like a goose egg bump) those are soft.

Mod-LadyCoconut · #5 July 15th, 2009, 08:42 PM

I don't have any advice but wanted to offer you some hugs. It sucks having to worry.

Frozendesire · #6 July 15th, 2009, 10:06 PM

I'd call the doctor and get some answers. I am not sure. How is he doing?? Cranky or grumpy at all?

Resi · #7 July 16th, 2009, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soImarriedAnerd

he could have a little hematoma (pocket blood bruise--like a goose egg bump) those are soft.

Great... I just googled hematoma and found this:
Now I'm really worried.

Epidural or extradural hematoma (haematoma) is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in which a buildup of blood occurs between the dura mater (the tough outer membrane of the central nervous system) and the skull. The dura mater also covers the spine, so epidural bleeds may also occur in the spinal column. Often due to trauma, the condition is potentially deadly because the buildup of blood may increase pressure in the intracranial space and compress delicate brain tissue. The condition is present in one to three percent of head injuries.[1] Between 15 and 20% of patients with epidural hematomas die of the injury.[2]

I have a call in to the doctor's office and I'm waiting to hear back.

I have a call in to the doctor's office and I'm waiting to hear back.

alicenwonderland · #8 July 16th, 2009, 05:36 AM

Resi- just to ease your mind, the type of hematoma you googled you normally cannot see or feel. probably just a normal type under the skin hematoma KUP

Resi · #9 July 16th, 2009, 06:34 AM

I talked to the nurse twice. She talked with Oliver's doc and everything is fine. Doc said it's a Contusion - another name for a bruise. I had to google that one too.

I'm still a little worried because that is my job but I think everything is okay.

Frozendesire · #10 July 16th, 2009, 08:28 AM

Glad it looks like he's okay.

Boy kids can sure stress us out hey? Hehe. You poor thing!

Mod-LadyCoconut · #11 July 16th, 2009, 08:41 AM

ShannonMVT · #12 July 16th, 2009, 12:13 PM

I'm glad it is just a bruise. How scary for you though!

Mars · #13 July 16th, 2009, 12:23 PM

soImarriedAnerd · #14 July 16th, 2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resi

Great... I just googled hematoma and found this:
Now I'm really worried.

Epidural or extradural hematoma (haematoma) is a type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in which a buildup of blood occurs between the dura mater (the tough outer membrane of the central nervous system) and the skull. The dura mater also covers the spine, so epidural bleeds may also occur in the spinal column. Often due to trauma, the condition is potentially deadly because the buildup of blood may increase pressure in the intracranial space and compress delicate brain tissue. The condition is present in one to three percent of head injuries.[1] Between 15 and 20% of patients with epidural hematomas die of the injury.[2]

I have a call in to the doctor's office and I'm waiting to hear back.

I have a call in to the doctor's office and I'm waiting to hear back.

Yikes--sorry I didn't think tho be more specific for you! I'm SORRY to scare you! The above is an epidural hematoma--bad news yes (also you can't feel that one--its in between your skull and your brain-its the one thats in most of the movies)
There are TONS of types of hematomas---hematoma in itself just means bad bruise/blood pocket). I was thinking more a cephalhematoma (they are pretty common with labors and more common with forceps/vacuum babies.) its the goose eggs you see when kids hit their heads and it swells up, out side of the skull-so you can feel/see it. As long as there is no neuro signs we just watch them..they are very very rarely an issue, since he hasn't had signs in the first 12-24hrs your safe

Hematoma - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia