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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does my toddler need A&E- urgent

89 replies

Namechangetimes100 · 13/05/2023 19:12

18 months old, was clowning around me, tripped and caught himself on the corner of the door frame. Right in the middle of the forehead at the most ‘protruding‘ point.Cried but for like 30 seconds, minute max but a bruised lump has come up, almost cartoon like. Does he need an and e? Husband going bananas at me. On hold to 111 now

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechangetimes100 · 13/05/2023 19:26

Guardiansofthegalaxi · 13/05/2023 19:25

My Ds frequently banged his head as a toddler - if he caught his forehead it would always come up like this. He was fine. But, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being cautious. As others have said, keep an eye on him and call 111 if any changes. These eggs are alarming to look at but will most likely settle by the morning.

They’re egg twins

OP posts:
Scalottia · 13/05/2023 19:26

custardbear · 13/05/2023 19:15

Call 111. My children had a few of these which were fine, easily grow an egg after a bump 😳 quite scary

Did you not read the OP? She's on hold with 111....

Crabbity · 13/05/2023 19:28

It wouldn’t even occur to me to call 111, never mind go to A&E for this mechanism of injury, in the absence of any other symptoms eg. drowsiness/vomiting. Just keep an eye on him, and your husband IBVU.

ISeeYouThere · 13/05/2023 19:30

If the bruise has come out, he didn't lose consciousness and hasn't been sick - no. But check the NHS site for head injury advice and keep a close eye on him for the next few hours.

UndertheCedartree · 13/05/2023 19:31

I would for a head injury on one so young, but 111 will advise you.

partypompoms · 13/05/2023 19:32

PinkPlantCase · 13/05/2023 19:19

I wouldn’t even call 111 if he’s still his normal self apart from the bump.

Same it wouldn't occur to me. I'd just watch and wait and see.

CatsOnTheChair · 13/05/2023 19:35

I wouldn't (and didnt) do anything other than reassure in the absence of any other signs of concussion.
DS did go to A&E with a head injury after vomiting and blacking out very briefly half a dozen times. He got kept in overnight and a scan. That was also the only head injury that didnt create a lump.

justanothernamechangemonday · 13/05/2023 19:35

Definite no from me, unless there were signs of drowsiness or vomiting. Maybe I'm a bad parent, but I've a medical family and it wouldn't occur to me that A&E would do anything other than suggest keeping an eye!!!

whyayepetal · 13/05/2023 19:35

Keep a close eye, reassure and comfort, give kids paracetamol (calpol or equivalent) if it hurts and he can normally take that safely. Cold water on kitchen roll, wring out and place on head (bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel might also be useful).

Any changes from his “normal” e.g. very drowsy, vomiting, confusion, blurred vision, be ready to go to A & E . Reassurance and monitoring is the name of the game here OP. Let him help to be the doctor, and hold the cold kitchen roll on his head!

Oysterbabe · 13/05/2023 19:36

If behaving normally this would be watch and wait for us.

Guardiansofthegalaxi · 13/05/2023 19:38

Namechangetimes100 · 13/05/2023 19:26

They’re egg twins

Show quote history

Mechanism of injury twins too - this egg came after he ran into the doorframe. Ten minutes later he ran into a bookcase and had another near identical egg, like devil horns.

Your DH should pipe down, kids will always accidents at this age. And these eggs appear because of the abundant bloody supply to the head, the exact same knock somewhere else in the body wouldn’t swell in the same way but it’s the body’s way of protecting the head.

Beseen22 · 13/05/2023 19:42

I'll admit, I'm a trained nurse in a very acute area and usually quite laid back with the kids being sick etc but when this happened to my boy I scooped him right into my arms and took him to ED.

Of course he was absolutely fine and I did feel a bit stupid but I think I just got such a fright at how quickly this massive lump appeared on his head. He was my first born too.

FurElise · 13/05/2023 19:47

Side of the head or back of the head - potentially yes but front, likely all good as long as no other symptoms of a concussion. Both mine have had some doozies to the front. As have I whilst three sheets to the wind to be fair 🙈

SimonsCow · 13/05/2023 19:49

This happened to DD and I had a medic friend with me. She said that a lump is good as the swelling/bruising is external. Obviously listen to 111, watch out for other signs etc but try not to panic too much.

Stressedafff · 13/05/2023 19:49

If it’s any consolation I was told that if the lump comes out it’s a good sign as it shows the bruisings on the outside!
don’t feel bad, DD’s had a fair few eggs in her 3 years x

Theunamedcat · 13/05/2023 19:50

I dont know why your husband is going bananas does he think bruises never happen

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 13/05/2023 19:51

A&E won’t do anything - keep an eye out for signs of sickness etc. burn otherwise I suspect you’re fine

bloodywhitecat · 13/05/2023 19:53

I'd watch and wait too, any signs of concussion and I'd be on my way but for now so long as he's behaving in his usual way I'd be happy to just observe.

Original poster
Namechangetimes100 · 13/05/2023 19:53

Theunamedcat · 13/05/2023 19:50

I dont know why your husband is going bananas does he think bruises never happen

He said I shouldn’t have been clowning around with him and I should’ve been more careful. He’s was annoyed thinking it would be a and e, and the wait around here is awful, been up to 12 hrs before in the children’s a and e x

OP posts:
Original poster
Namechangetimes100 · 13/05/2023 19:54

bloodywhitecat · 13/05/2023 19:53

I'd watch and wait too, any signs of concussion and I'd be on my way but for now so long as he's behaving in his usual way I'd be happy to just observe.

111 are getting a clinician to call back but couldn’t give me any signs to look out for? What should I look out for?

OP posts:
Lemonsandlemonade · 13/05/2023 19:56

Why is your husband going mad accidents do happen.

Hope your little one is better soon

IhearyouClemFandango · 13/05/2023 19:56

My daughter did this, headbutted the valve on the edge of the radiator.

Doc told me that swelling outwards is fine, it is bruising, sleepiness etc with no swelling that is a worry as it can mean the swelling is internal.

The forehead is a pretty tough but of skull.

ISpyNoPlumPie · 13/05/2023 19:56

https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/professionals/gp-primary-care-staff/safety-netting-documents-parents/head-injury

Here is a really useful resource - written by a paediatrician and recommended by health visitors. FWIW, I would not go to A&E or call 111 for this injury based on the information you’ve provided.

Head Injury :: Healthier Together

Advice for parents and carers of children

https://www.what0-18.nhs.uk/professionals/gp-primary-care-staff/safety-netting-documents-parents/head-injury

ISeeYouThere · 13/05/2023 19:58

IhearyouClemFandango · 13/05/2023 19:56

My daughter did this, headbutted the valve on the edge of the radiator.

Doc told me that swelling outwards is fine, it is bruising, sleepiness etc with no swelling that is a worry as it can mean the swelling is internal.

The forehead is a pretty tough but of skull.

Why do children have this amazing ability to find radiator valves with their heads? Every child I know has done this