Forehead Lump - Really worried!

[Sofiabella]

Hi all. I will start by saying I have serious health anxiety, I catastrophise and I'm aware of this.
However yesterday I noticed this lump on my son's forehead. He hasn't banged it or anything that I'm aware of and there's no redness or swelling. It feels squishy to the touch I think and moveable but its hard to tell as he gets irritated with me feeling his head repeatedly - understandably!
I'm so so worried 😩

I know this board isn't the busiest but a desperate bump for anyone who can help.

It's hard to see but could it be an insect bite? Sorry it causing you so much concern.

Could be start of a small cyst…

Firstly, a big hug from a
fellow health anxiety
mama- it’s the worst.
3 things to help you calm down:

1. the fact you have health anxiety tells me you are very aware of new lumps and bumps so I’m going to bet this isn’t a lump that’s been hanging around for months that’s suddenly made you worry. This is key because:
2. sinister lumps (ie cancer) don’t “suddenly” appear, they are slow growing. A new squishy lump is far far more likely to be a cyst.
3. moveable/ squishy = good. Hard/ immovable= concerning.

my daughter had this in her leg and believe me i know how scary it is but honestly I don’t think you have anything to worry about here. My bet is a fatty cyst. Get it checked so you can put your mind at ease but honestly i think it’s fine Xx

Going to try my best to get a GP appointment tomorrow. Hate feeling like this.

It looks like a small lipoma or cyst.
Nothing to worry about.
Easily dealt with.

It isn't urgent, OP.
Don't panic about getting an appointment.

You're all helping, thank you. I'm trying to be rational I really am. He's so so precious to me. Anxiety is an absolute twat.

I can’t think of anything sinister that could be to be honest. Likely to be a sebaceous cyst or maybe a lipoma. I honestly think that an appointment for yourself to look at your anxiety might be more helpful- it must be exhausting to live like this, and you risk passing worry on to your kids as well.

@checkedroses
I've considered looking into some sort of therapy. I was diagnosed with breast cancer aged 27 - 5 years all clear now thankfully. But I do sometimes think I might have some sort of PTSD and my mind goes to worst case scenario at all times. Because I know it's unlikely. But it happened. And my brain can't get past that.

That’s tough and completely understandable. There’s really nothing but skin and scalp there and it doesn’t look anything like a skin cancer (which in themselves would be incredibly rare / almost unheard of in small kids).
Do you have a Maggie’s Centre anywhere near you? That might be a good place to start for support of you do.

Just had a Google and I don't unfortunately but my breast care nurse did say at the time she could arrange for some therapy/counselling if I ever felt I needed it.
I've googled (of course I have) and something called rhabdomyosarcoma came up as a cancer that can present as a lump or swelling in children's head. So now that's all I can imagine and it's honestly terrifying. Even though you're all being so rational and reassuring I can't push past this fear.

Go to the GP tomorrow if you can get an appointment, this will help with the anxiety. I know the feelings you describe and they are absolutely awful. Take one step at a time, break it down; 'Tomorrow I will start by going to the GP' Ask them directly if this could be a cancer (you won't rest until you have an idea) Hopefully you will be reassured.

if you remain unhappy ask for a referral or a second opinion from another GP. Drs as we know do miss things. As a mum with kids now grown, there will be many times you will be thinking 'Oh no, what's that?' - My sons had lots of odd things, including lumps and bumps. Most lumps are harmless and nothing to worry over. If your anxiety is out of control do seek something to help as soon as possible as you will pass the anxiety onto your children.

So the strangest thing. I was looking at photos last night trying to figure out when the lump appeared - I know.
But this photo was taken over a year ago and I've looked at it so many times since as it's a first day of school photo. Lump in full view? So is it just part of him that I've never noticed?! Surely anything nasty wouldn't still be the same size/causing no symptoms after a year and a few months?

Hi OP, I hope you managed to speak with the Gp and it is nothing of concern. My heart goes out to you; health anxiety for your child is the worst. Let us know how you get on x

It'll be a tiny, slow-growing lipoma.