From toddler through adulthood, lumps, bumps, and bruises are simple rites of passage.
A goose egg is a bulging protrusion that occurs on the forehead or scalp after blunt trauma or contusion. (1) This area contains a lot of small blood vessels right under the skin that can rupture even from a slight knock or bump to the head.
If the head injury does not tear your skin but breaks the underlying blood vessels, it will cause bruising in the area. Blood will leak out from the damaged vessels and collect in the surrounding tissue.
The pooling of blood combined with the inflammation caused by injury will cause localized swelling in the area that may take the form of an egg-shaped lump.
Such head bumps are particularly noticeable in kids due to their small head size that allows little space for the blood to collect.
Home Remedies for a Head Bump
Here are some easy ways to make a goose egg injury heal faster.
1. Apply a cold compress
A cold compress should be the first-line treatment for an injury such as a head bump. Using it in the immediate aftermath of the injury is the best way to control the swelling and pain that develop later. (2)
The application of cold temperature shrinks the underlying blood vessels and thereby limits blood supply to the injured area. The low blood flow, in turn, helps bring down swelling. The topical cold also desensitizes the underlying nerves to numb the area, leading to less pain.
Lastly, it slows down cell division and cell death, leading to reduced cellular waste and swelling in the area.
How to use:
- Wrap 2–3 ice cubes in a thin towel. You can also make a cold compress with a bag of frozen peas, frozen meat, or a cold and damp towel.
- Apply this ice pack to the affected area for 15–20 minutes with gentle pressure.
- Take a 5-minute break before applying another ice pack. You may repeat the application if needed.
Caution: Don’t apply ice directly to the skin as it may cause frostbite.
2. Apply a warm compress
Use a cold compress immediately after the head bump occurs, but wait for a day before applying a warm compress to it.
The topical heat stimulates blood circulation in the area, which curbs swelling and promotes healing. The influx of fresh blood brings more oxygen and nutrients to repair the damaged tissues.
How to use:
- Place the warm compress on the affected area for about 10 minutes.
- Repeat this remedy a few times a day.
3. Use arnica gel to soothe the pain
Arnica is a medicinal herb that is widely used in homeopathy for reducing pain, bruising, and swelling caused by an injury such as a head bump. (3) It works as an analgesic, soothing the pain in the area. Plus, it exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that help bring down the swelling.
The trick is to use it as soon as the injury occurs to minimize the symptomatic discomfort that occurs thereafter.
How to use:
Apply arnica gel over the injured area, 2–3 times daily or as needed.
4. Give lavender essential oil a try
Lavender essential oil is credited with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that can help heal head injuries. It is often used for alleviating lower back pain, sprains, rheumatism, muscle soreness, and joint pain. (4)
When applied to a goose egg or head bump, it can help reduce the pain, swelling, and bruising in the area.
How to use:
- Combine 15–20 drops each of lavender and frankincense oils, 8–10 drops of geranium essential oil, and 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil.
- Apply this oil blend to the affected area.
Note: You can adjust the amount of essential oil according to your need and preference.
5. Use turmeric topically
Turmeric is much touted for its healing properties that can be traced back to its main bioactive compound curcumin. It exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (5) that can relieve the pain and swelling associated with a head injury.
How to use:
- Mix a tablespoon of extra-virgin coconut oil with 2 teaspoons of turmeric powder to make a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste to the swollen area.
- Let it dry.
- Rinse it off with lukewarm water.
- Use this remedy 2–3 times a day to get rid of a goose egg.
6. Apply castor oil to the affected area
Castor oil contains ample amounts of ricinoleic acid (RA), which is credited with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. (6) Applying it to a goose egg or head bump can help ease the pain and swelling in the area.
How to use:
- Mix 1 teaspoon of castor oil with 1 teaspoon of honey.
- Apply this mixture to the swollen area.
- Let it sit for 30 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
- For best results, apply this remedy 2 times a day.
7. Try using onions
Onions contain plenty of sulfur and bioflavonoid quercetin compounds that give them strong anti-inflammatory properties. (7) This common kitchen ingredient can, therefore, help decrease the swelling caused by a head injury.
How to use:
- Chop one onion.
- Wrap it in a clean face towel or cloth to make a poultice.
- Place it on the swollen area for 15–20 minutes.
- Wash the treated area with lukewarm water to get rid of the onion smell.
- Use this remedy 2–3 times a day.
Final Word
In most cases, goose egg is purely a superficial injury that can easily be treated at home. But any kind of trauma to the head poses the risk of bleeding in or around the brain, which can be quite dangerous.
Thus, it’s important to err on the side of caution and consult a doctor in the event of a head injury to rule out such complications.
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