From the Guidelines
For a forehead contusion, apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours during the first 24-48 hours to reduce swelling and pain, as recommended by the 2015 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines update for first aid 1.
Treatment Overview
The primary goal in treating a forehead contusion is to reduce swelling, manage pain, and monitor for any signs of more serious head injuries.
- Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the affected area for 15-20 minutes every 1-2 hours during the first 24-48 hours.
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) at a dose of 325-650 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, not exceeding 3,000 mg daily, or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 200-400 mg every 4-6 hours with food, not exceeding 1,200 mg daily.
- Rest and elevate your head when possible to reduce swelling.
- After 48 hours, switch to warm compresses to help with healing.
Monitoring for Serious Head Injuries
It is crucial to monitor for concerning symptoms that may indicate a more serious head injury, such as:
- Severe headache
- Confusion
- Vomiting
- Unequal pupils
- Loss of consciousness These symptoms require immediate medical attention, as they may indicate conditions such as a concussion or more severe traumatic brain injuries, as discussed in the context of concussion management by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1.
Healing Process
Most forehead contusions heal within 2-3 weeks as the body naturally reabsorbs the blood that leaked into tissues. The bruise will typically change colors from red-purple to green-yellow as it heals. If pain worsens or the bruise doesn't improve after two weeks, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance. The management of burns and other trauma emergencies, as outlined in the 2015 international consensus on first aid science with treatment recommendations 1, also emphasizes the importance of proper first aid and monitoring for complications.
From the Research
Treatment for Contusion of Forehead
- The treatment for contusion of the forehead may involve the use of analgesics such as ibuprofen and paracetamol to manage pain and discomfort 2, 3.
- A study published in 2015 found that ibuprofen was consistently superior to paracetamol at conventional doses in a range of painful conditions, including acute pain and osteoarthritis 2.
- However, a 2018 study found that there was no statistically significant difference in pain score between patients treated with paracetamol, ibuprofen, or a combination of both for soft tissue injuries, including contusions 3.
- In the context of facial soft tissue injuries, including contusions of the forehead, a 2005 study found that certain injury patterns, such as lacerations of the lips, nose, and intraorally, as well as wounds leading to periorbital contusion and subconjunctival hemorrhage, were significantly prevalent in patients with facial fractures 4.
- For contusions of the forehead resulting from concussion, studies have investigated the use of ibuprofen and acetaminophen for acute headache management 5, 6.
- A 2022 study found that exposure to ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or both in the acute phase did not decrease the risk of headache at 7 days post-concussion 5.
- However, a 2017 pilot study found that routine analgesia administration, including ibuprofen and acetaminophen, was feasible and effective for postconcussive headache management, with patients on ibuprofen alone or both ibuprofen and acetaminophen having significantly less headache days and lower headache intensity than the standard care group 6.