“Lump that swells and goes down?”
I’ve had a lump behind my right ear for about 3 years now. It swells quite often and goes back down again but never fully. It feels hard to me when it’s swelled but it is located on my bone so I’m not sure if that’s why it does feel a bit squishy on the top though and also like there’s a circle on the top of it which is detached from the lump. My doctor said he thinks it’s a swollen lymph node but I’m just concerned as it feels hard to me and swells often. I’ve had no other symptoms at all other than the occasional pain/itchiness in my ear. I suffer from severe mental health so I don’t sleep a lot and I’m always very anxious and stressed, I’m not sure if this could be what’s causing it to swell. Do you think this is anything to be concerned about? I don’t understand why it keeps swelling which is worrying me as I thought lymph nodes only swell when you’re sick and they are not supposed to feel hard.
Female | 22 years old
Complaint duration: 3 years
Medications: Elvanse for ADHD
Conditions: Ear lump
2 Answers
This does appear to be a lymph node based on the location and picture. A lipoma (fatty tumor) is also a possibility. This could easily be excised (removed) in an ENT office under local anesthesia for a thorough diagnosis and to put your mind at ease.
Yes, it's a lymph node. Lymph nodes also swell if you touch them too much. They are pretty sensitive and will react to being pushed on.
