My baby dented her forehead on the skirting board. I am so upset. Pic included.

[Peridotty]

My baby (9months) fell onto the edge of the skirting board nearly a month ago and she cried a lot. There was a small horizontal bruise that lasted 2 days. Today, when taking photos, I noticed that she has a dented line on her forehead when she raises her eyebrows. I never noticed it before as she has a fringe. I feel awful and so upset about it. I have read that forehead dents are here to stay. Has it happened to anyone else before? Does massaging the area help? Is it really permanent? Thanks

[PuppyMonkeyBaby]

Is it swollen? I’d think it Igor be dented in the swelling rather than bone.

[Whirlwind14]

Oh it’s so frightening! My eldest fell and head butted a little fence when he was about the same age.He ended up with a similar injury. It started off as a bump and then gradually went to a dent, which I also originally noticed on a photo. I panicked and took him to the walk-in but after giving him the once over they sent us home. Hes now 3 and the mark has gone! It’s horrible when they hurt themselves

[PuppyMonkeyBaby]

Would. Igor has nothing to do with it.

[Peridotty]

@Whirlwind14 I know, it's so awful when they fall and get hurt and cry. :( did your LO hurt himself on the forehead? Glad it went away.
@PuppyMonkeyBaby I hope it's swelling. I was scared maybe the muscle fibres below had split? It's slightly red but doesnt appear swollen. And it's been 3.5 weeks now.

[TaraR2020]

Even if muscle fibres had split, they'd heal again. I also think you'd definitely know about it!

Its probably just soft tissue that's indented and in time it will fill out again. I do understand why it's so upsetting but your LO is ok and if she raising her eyebrows then I certainly don't think there's muscle damage.

Her head will change and grow so much as she grows up (proportionally of course!) that even if a little dent does remain it'll probably move back and shrink and I doubt anyone will notice it.

[LemonSwan]

I have a dent on my forehead into my hairline, like a harry potter one not horizontal. Its quite deep if you feel it but no one has ever noticed it. I forget its there. I only know its there if I run my fingers in it which freaks me out as I feel like I am touching my skull. TMI sorry.

Honestly it will be fine even if it doesnt go. Her beautiful head will just grow round it.

[Peridotty]

@TaraR2020 thank you for the reassuring message. I really hope so!! It’s just bothering me a lot.
@lemonswan how did you do that? :-o When I feel my baby’s head I don’t feel any dent. I felt it when she fell and there was a bruise immediately but no dent that I could feel. I could only see it today when she raised her eyebrows. Perhaps if it’s not deep it will go away.

[BlackCatShadow]

Please don’t worry. It will heal.

Right before my sons first birthday, my parents took him to the park and he smashed his head on the slide. His head was hugely and grotesquely swollen in all his first birthday photos. You can’t tell at all now. Accidents happen no matter how careful you are.

[Monty27]

OP that is a superficial mark and will disappear IMHO. The skin isn't even broken so I very much doubt there's any long term damage. Just keep an eye on her though just in case. 💐

[sagaLoren]

I have a dent on my forehead into my hairline, like a harry potter one not horizontal. Its quite deep if you feel it but no one has ever noticed it. I forget its there.

I have the same thing except it goes all the way down from my hairline to my eye socket. It's where the skull bone hasn't fused properly. You can't tell unless you run a finger along my face (it does feel quite freaky though).

But as a PP said - the head grows and moves around a lot when you're small so I'd be surprised if it was permanent. And even if it was, I'd be surprised if it stayed noticeable. I mean I've got a giant crater down my face and you can't tell...!

[HeartShapedMoon]

My DS fell and hit his forehead on that seam thing along the top of a radiator when about 14 months. He had to have steristrips and it was a mess, bumpy and uneven for ages.

He is 14 now and it's completely disappeared apart from a scar through his eyebrow which he loves as he thinks it makes him look cool.

[NoMackerelInSwindon]

That will grow out. It’s scars that can sometimes stay.

[Lubiluxe]

I have a small scar on my forehead from falling in primary school. Barely noticeable now unless you know about it. It doesn't bother me. It just reminds me of the fun time I had being a kid. I was always running around on the playground.

[Notanotherhun]

I would take her to a GP. Just to be on the safe side since there is an actual dent.

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

That looks how a depressed skull fracture might look. They can be asymptotic. Not saying it is. But it could be. You can’t know without taking her to your GP. Who might refer you for an X-ray. Much better to get it checked out.

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

And don’t massage it. If it is a depressed skull fracture that will not help and could make things worse. You’ve done nothing wrong. Just seek some intervention to ensure your DD’s welfare.

[LemonSwan]

I have no idea OP, I dont remember ever doing anything to it. I assumed it was a childhood accident but saga is saying my skulls just not fused together properly. Sounds concerning but I have made it so far so wont panic to much :S haha

Honestly if you are worried you should go to the doctor.

[Peridotty]

@LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood skull fracture? but if it is it would heal by itself right? No need to subject her to X-rays. She was crawling and lost her balance and face planted onto the skirting board. Is this enough to cause a skull fracture?
@Notanotherhun is it an actual dent if it’s only a line? I don’t feel a depression.

I’ve added a photo of how it looks without a raised brow.

[lubeybooby]

I'd get her checked out and x rayed.

Just... best to be sure with these things.

[TaraR2020]

Your baby has beautiful eyebrows :)

Thing is, op, none of us are qualified to give medical advice. Its been over 3 weeks and you don't mention any symptoms which is a good sign but if you're still concerned your best bet is to get her checked by a GP.

[Peridotty]

@TaraR2020 thank you!

she only cried until I picked her up so I feel like it wasn't that bad a fall.
@LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood I checked the line/dent and it moves with the skin so I don't think it's a skull fracture. I think it's soft tissue.

[CanofCant]

Aw OP, it's a terrible feeling when they injure themselves and you can't do anything to stop it. DD1 fell when she was about 18months and split her bottom lip, needing it glued back together. She still has a scar 4 years later which is sometimes visible. I felt awful when it first happened, like her perfect pure face had been ruined, which is silly and it doesn't bother her, she instead really enjoys hearing the story of her hospital trip!

We have since racked up the odd injury, thankfully nothing too serious. It is scary though and I hope your DD's dent does disappear but if it doesn't then it will just become part of her if you know what I mean?

She does have a lovely set of eyebrows and head from what can be seen!

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

Your update suggests it’s less likely to be fracture. Though none of us can really know. Whatever you decide to do re taking her to the GP , you certainly have no reason to blame yourself for a simple accident.

Your DD has a lovely lot of hair.

[PainterInPeril]

Surely, if there was a problem, it would have become obvious before now? If she's seems ok, then she probably is.
This is outing but never mind! When I was little, I accidentally ran into the corner of a kitchen dresser. A patch of my hair started to fall out, and when it grew back in (I was lucky that it did grow back) it was white! I have had that white streak ever since.

[MRex]

It's really hard when little ones get an injury. DS had something very similar and then every time he donked his head, however mildly, it seemed to be the same spot. Then one day that line just disappeared. I don't remember when, sometime age 2. So it will go eventually! A knock bad enough to cause that kind of dent and you should see the doctor when it happens though. A very boring 4 hours hanging out in the hospital for us, but better than taking risks.