What Causes Painful Lump At Rear Part Of The Head?

Posted on Mon, 5 May 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 5 May 2014 Answered on

Mon, 2 Jun 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : i have pain to the right rear of my head, there is a tender lump which is painful to touch like a bruise, this came on suddenly last night . I am 54 and take medication for blood pressure.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cellulitis/ Folliculitis

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Painful lump at the rear of your head is most likely to be either folliculitis ( infection of the hair follicle) or cellulitis.
Here are my suggestions to you

1. Avoid touching the lump as it might aggravate the issue
2. Avoid combing over the area
3. Tab Aceclofenac is the ideal anti inflammatory and analgesic for folliculitis
4. If the pain increases and you develop fever then I recommend treatment with anti biotic like azithrmycin 500 once a day for 3 days

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

I wish you good health and a speedy recovery

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (5 hours later)

the soreness seems to be under the scalp and about the size of credit card and is very tender to the touch. I've had some dry and broken skin in the same area lately which I've thought could be due to wearing a hard hat on the building sites I work on. Do I need to see my doctor for a solution or will it clear-up on its own?

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Contact dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me

I am sorry for the short delay in response, I was on call at my hospital.

If there is broken skin and tenderness at the area of contact of the hat then it is most likely to be contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is nothing but reaction of the body to the objects that it comes in contact with. It heals on its own without treatment once the allergen is taken off, in your case it should heal once you stop wearing the hat.

However I suggest Tab Levocetrizine 10 mg at night for fasten the healing process. If the area becomes more tender and the size of the lesion grows then I recommend that you see a dermatologist.

I hope I was of help, I am once again sorry for the delay.

Regards

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