# Scalp bruise or contusion - Category: chronic - Review status: reviewed (every claim checked against a document named on this page) - Sources: Concussion - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537017/ · ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class SD35.01 - condition scope only, no dose · MSF Essential Drugs 2024 - paracetamol (oral) - Verified date: 2026-08 ## Verified against - MSF Essential Drugs 2024 - paracetamol (oral) ## Treatment metadata - Paracetamol — 500 mg — oral.solid - Referral & safety-netting (no drug therapy) ## Complete treatment card ```text SCALP BRUISE OR CONTUSION Sources: Concussion - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537017/ · ICPC-3 (WONCA International Classification of Primary Care, 3rd edition) class SD35.01 - condition scope only, no dose · MSF Essential Drugs 2024 - paracetamol (oral) Review status: REVIEWED against the source listed above (2026-08) Rx: Pain | Main treatment PAIN 1. PARACETAMOL [1st line] Adult 1 g (two 500 mg tablets) 3 or 4 times daily, to a maximum of 4 g in 24 hours. - A few days for the soreness; a headache that goes on or worsens needs reassessment rather than a longer course. Peds 15 mg/kg/dose [child max 500 mg] (Child 1 month and over: 15 mg/kg 3 or 4 times daily, to a maximum of 60 mg/kg in 24 hours. Child under 1 month: 10 mg/kg 3 or 4 times daily, to a maximum of 40 mg/kg in 24 hours. A single dose is capped at 500 mg because the top band of MSF's own weight table, 30 to under 50 kg, is one 500 mg tablet three times daily.) 3kg -> 45 mg/dose 4kg -> 60 mg/dose 5kg -> 75 mg/dose 6kg -> 90 mg/dose 7kg -> 105 mg/dose 8kg -> 120 mg/dose 9kg -> 135 mg/dose 10kg -> 150 mg/dose 11kg -> 165 mg/dose 12kg -> 180 mg/dose 13kg -> 195 mg/dose 14kg -> 210 mg/dose 15kg -> 225 mg/dose 16kg -> 240 mg/dose 17kg -> 255 mg/dose 18kg -> 270 mg/dose 19kg -> 285 mg/dose 20kg -> 300 mg/dose 21kg -> 315 mg/dose 22kg -> 330 mg/dose 23kg -> 345 mg/dose 24kg -> 360 mg/dose 25kg -> 375 mg/dose 26kg -> 390 mg/dose 27kg -> 405 mg/dose 28kg -> 420 mg/dose 29kg -> 435 mg/dose 30kg -> 450 mg/dose 31kg -> 465 mg/dose 32kg -> 480 mg/dose 33kg -> 495 mg/dose 34kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 35kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 36kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 37kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 38kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 39kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 40kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 41kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 42kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 43kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 44kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 45kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 46kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 47kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 48kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 49kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) 50kg -> 500 mg/dose (capped) Source MSF Essential Drugs 2024 - paracetamol (oral) Why A scalp bruise from minor head trauma leaves a sore head, and the cited concussion article allows over-the-counter analgesics to control headache symptoms while saying in the same sentence that the evidence for their efficacy is limited. It names no drug and no amount, so the amount is MSF's, whose paracetamol entry covers mild to moderate pain. Caution The article is explicit that the evidence for an over-the-counter analgesic after a head injury is limited. It eases the headache and does nothing for the injury. Give nothing that alters wakefulness, mood or thinking. The article warns that medicines affecting cognitive function, sleep or mood are not advisable because they mask the symptoms a concussion is judged on, and that a preventive headache medicine should not be started after a concussion - though one the patient was already taking before the injury may be resumed. A worsening headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, a fit, unequal pupils or any focal neurological sign means imaging and admission, not a stronger painkiller. Never exceed 4 g in 24 hours in an adult, or 60 mg/kg in 24 hours in a child. MSF warns that paracetamol poisoning is severe - it causes hepatic cytolysis - and that the stated limits matter most in children and in older patients. MSF records no contra-indication in pregnancy or in breast-feeding, and names paracetamol as the analgesic of choice for a patient allergic to aspirin, one with a history of gastric trouble, a pregnant or breast-feeding woman, and children. Paracetamol has no anti-inflammatory action, so it eases the pain and does nothing for the swelling. Egypt FEBRIMOL 500 MG 20 TAB. PHARCO 3.50 EGP (0.17/unit) CETAMOL 500 MG 20 TABS. MEMPHIS 8.00 EGP (0.40/unit) PARACETAMOL-MUP 500MG B.P. 20 TABS. MUP 13.00 EGP (0.65/unit) CETAL 500 MG 20 TABS. EIPICO 24.00 EGP (1.20/unit) ARKADOLOW 500 MG 30 F.C. TABS. UTOPIA 42.00 EGP (1.40/unit) PARAMOL 500MG 20 TAB. MISR 38.00 EGP (1.90/unit) ADOL 500MG 24 CAPLETS JULPHAR 32.00 EGP AUGICETAMIDE 500 MG 20 SACHETS AUG PHARMA 50.00 EGP FEBRIMOL ORAL DROPS 20 ML PHARCO 4.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid THERA-LO 3.2G/100ML ORAL SUSP. 100 ML PHAROPHARMA 5.00 EGP -> ? strength differs, ? different route - not oral solid MAIN TREATMENT 2. REFERRAL & SAFETY-NETTING (NO DRUG THERAPY) [1st line] Adult Minor head trauma; management is examining for red flags and reassurance, not a specific prescription. - Refer Peds A child is dosed from the drug rows above, by weight. The referral threshold and the safety-netting are the same at any age. Source No dose - referral pathway, no medicine given in primary care Why Minor head trauma; management is examining for red flags and reassurance, not a specific prescription. Caution Signs of skull fracture or intracranial injury - worsening headache, vomiting, loss of consciousness, focal neurological signs, unequal pupils. The drug rows above are what the treating service gives. They are here so that the referral is an informed one and so the GP can recognise the regimen the patient comes back on - not as permission to start it without the referral. Prices are indicative (dataset snapshot 2026-06); verify with the pharmacy. ``` --- Dawaa Reference is a reference for prescribers, not a medical device, and does not replace clinical judgement. [Privacy policy](/privacy)