Concerns About My Daughter's Forehead after Previous Skull Injury
At 2.5 years old, my daughter experienced a skull fracture and a minor subdural hematoma when she was just 9 months old. Since then, she has shown no significant issues. However, I’ve recently observed a slight flatness on her forehead that I can't help but scrutinize due to my concerns. I had her pediatrician examine her during her 2-year checkup, and this flatness was not present at that time. Upon touching the area, I noticed a distinct ridge that extends from her forehead down into her hairline, while the corresponding side appears completely normal without any such ridge. What are the chances that this could pose further problems? If it does become an issue, what methods are typically employed to address it? We have a follow-up appointment scheduled for September 17, but should I consider taking her to urgent care? She doesn’t seem to be in any pain when I palpate the area. Thank you for your assistance!
Answers (1)
8/27/2025, 6:22:09 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to be concerned about any changes in your daughter's head shape, especially given her previous skull injury. The flatness and ridge you’ve noted could be related to positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) or the healing process from her prior injury. While it's good that she doesn’t seem to be in pain and your pediatrician did not express immediate concerns, here are some key points and next steps to consider:
Explanation
- Flatness or Ridge: Changes in head shape, especially following a skull injury, can happen. The brain and skull continue to grow during childhood, which sometimes leads to noticeable shifts in shape. The ridge you feel could be normal bone growth or a sign of other changes.
- Risks: In many cases, these changes do not lead to further problems, especially if the child is developing normally in other ways. However, ongoing observation is important to ensure no complications arise.
Next Steps
-
Monitor Symptoms: Over the next few weeks, keep an eye on her forehead's appearance. Look for any changes in size or the shape of the ridge. Note any new symptoms (e.g., headaches, behavioral changes, or unusual bulging).
-
Follow-Up Appointment: Since you already have a follow-up appointment scheduled on September 17, it’s generally advisable to wait for this visit unless you notice significant changes. This allows for a thorough assessment by a professional who is familiar with her medical history.
-
Urgent Care Consideration: If you observe any concerning symptoms (like worsening shape, swelling, or your daughter seeming unwell), it would be wise to seek care sooner.
-
Document Your Observations: Keep a simple log of what you’re noticing about the flatness and ridge, including any measurements you can take and her behavior. This can be helpful for the healthcare provider during the follow-up.
This cautious approach should help you feel more at ease while ensuring your daughter's health is prioritized. If you have further questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out.
Related Questions
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods
Seeking Insights: My Journey with Undiagnosed Neurological Symptoms
Hello everyone, I'm a 34-year-old female grappling with neurological symptoms that first appeared in October, and I’m eager to hear from anyone who might have faced similar challenges. My journey began with unexpected migraines, blurred vision, and an ongoing sensation of being off-balance or intoxicated. Gradually, I began experiencing mainly sensory-related symptoms, such as tingling and burning sensations, feelings of extreme heat and cold, sharp pains radiating in my arms and back, as well as discomfort in my hands and toes, alongside intermittent numbness. I also endure varying degrees of weakness and heaviness in my right side, specifically my arm and leg, although I haven’t suffered complete functional loss. The nature of my symptoms is erratic; they fluctuate rather than consistently deteriorate. An MRI revealed mild, scattered lesions in the white matter, which were deemed nonspecific. Further tests from a lumbar puncture returned normal results, showing no markers of inflammation, and the oligoclonal bands were not present. A thorough range of lab tests yielded no significant findings. After evaluating my case, the neurology team suggested a possible diagnosis of MS and administered a three-day course of intravenous steroids. While I noticed a slight improvement in some sensory pain, my symptoms persist and continue to vary day by day. I still experience headaches and pressure in my head along with episodes of blurred vision, but there have been no new deficits since treatment. I am reaching out to connect with others who have had similar experiences. I would like to learn about the insights or diagnoses you encountered and what treatments proved beneficial (such as those related to migraine disorders, dysautonomia, or sensory neuropathy, for example). If you have navigated a similar path, I would greatly appreciate your sharing your story. Thank you!
Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?
A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?
Concerns About Angular Cheilitis
I’m a 23-year-old woman with no history of smoking, and I’m seeking assistance regarding a health issue. Back in January, I experienced angular cheilitis three times, each episode involving a minor crack at the corner of my mouth that healed within a few days. Following the last occurrence, I became quite anxious due to saliva accumulation in that area. I found myself frequently brushing my finger along that spot. After a few days, I observed a small area forming that appeared white and had a rough texture. Eventually, I realized it was not just a coincidence, and I started taking action, but only after it became noticeably larger. To address it, I cleaned the area with a mix of alcohol and apple cider vinegar. I’m uncertain about what this issue could be, but I’ve recently begun using over-the-counter Clotrimazole cream while also keeping the area moisturized with either lanolin or petroleum jelly. Unfortunately, I haven’t noticed any improvement, and I’m concerned as it seems to be expanding. The patch continues to be rough and excessively dry. Although I can open my mouth wide without any cracks forming, I do feel tension in the skin, similar to having a bandage over that location. At times, I experience a burning sensation after thorough washing, and I’ve noticed tiny red spots appearing on the outer edges of the patch sporadically.
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.