Suggest Treatment For Swelling On Forehead Post Injury

Posted on Thu, 27 Aug 2015

Question: I was hit on the head with a foul baseball 11 days ago was seen at er ct scan showed no fx or bleeding into the brain there was quite a bit of bruising down my eyes and face which is getting btter each day but there is still a lump remaining above my forehead size of golfball no headache just tender to touch what should I do use ice or heat

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Heat application best after 48 hours from injury

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. In such a scenario, a hot application would be better as it helps with increasing blood circulation which in turn helps with reducing the swelling. A cold pack can and should be used only during the first 24-48 hours from an injury, not now.

But as you have a bruise, it is better to use mild heat and also a barrier (cloth) between the skin surface and heat application to prevent further irritation of the bruise.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar