A lump behind the ear can be a source of concern. You may first notice this lump at a time when you were not expecting it, such as while combing your hair, washing your face or idly touching that part of your body.
Fortunately, the majority of lumps found behind the ear are benign (not dangerous), and most are easily treated. However, it is valuable for you to understand why these lumps occur, what symptoms may accompany them, and how their symptoms will progress in order to aid you in making informed decisions about your health.
What is a Lump Behind the Ear?
A lump behind the ear can be defined as a raised area of fluid or tissue located immediately behind your ear. Depending upon the underlying condition, the lump may have any of the following characteristics: soft, firm, moveable, tender or painful to the touch.
Some lumps are easily identified because they are painful and/or show signs of redness and/or increased warmth, while other lumps are much more subtle indicators of an underlying medical condition and only become evident after being discovered accidentally.
The area that lies immediately behind your ear is made up of many structures, including:
- Lymph nodes (which are classified within the lymphatic system,
- The overlying skin and associated hair follicles,
- The presence of oil glands located in the upper area of the ear canal,
- The mastoid bone that comprises the posterior aspect of your ear,
- Soft tissue; therefore, any number of differing conditions can create a noticeable increase in the size of these structures.
What Are the Most Common Lump Behind Ear Causes?
There are multiple reasons that can result in developing bumps behind the ear. Here are three typical possibilities:
1. Swollen Lymph Nodes (Causes for Swelling) – Lymph nodes are the body’s small “glands” that assist you in fighting off illness. Lymph nodes swell as an immune response to various illnesses. If you have:
- A cold
- A throat infection
- An ear infection
- A viral illness
Then you can expect the lymph nodes in the area behind your ear to swell as part of your body’s reaction to the cold, throat, ear, or viral illness. This is the most common cause of bumps behind the ear.
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How does the swollen lymph node feel?
- You will feel a soft and rubbery texture
- There may be some tenderness
- The lymph node typically shrinks back down once the infection goes away.
2. Sebaceous Cyst (Blocked Oil Gland) — A sebaceous cyst develops from a blocked oil gland; they are normally harmless.
Some common attributes of sebaceous cysts include:
- Round and smooth bump
- Slow growing/ developing
- Non-tender or painless, until infected. If infected the area generally becomes red, swollen, and painful.
3. Lipoma- (Benign Fatty Tumor) —
A lipoma is a benign, subcutaneous, soft and fatty mass. Typical characteristics of a lipoma include:
- Soft and movable
- Painless
- Slow-growing
- Lipomas only require treatment in rare instances when they cause patient discomfort.
4. Mastoiditis (When to Seek Help):
Mastoiditis occurs when bacteria infect the mastoid bone, located just behind the ear. The infection causes swelling in that area and may present as follows:
- Severe pain
- Fever
- Redness behind your ear
- Pus/discharge coming from/making your ear look red
Mastoiditis is a medical emergency; you should go to the hospital for treatment immediately.
5. Abscesses (Collective Pus):
An abscess is a pocket of pus that develops due to bacterial infections that develop just below the skin. The symptoms of an abscess can be described as:
- Painful/swollen area
- Warm-pussy area
- Fever
- Puss or other liquids oozing from the sty
Abscesses typically need to be drained and treated with antibiotics.
Lump Behind Ear Symptoms: What Should You Look For?
There is a difference among lumps, although some are harmless while some require attention from a physician. Below are some examples of common lump symptoms that may occur behind the ear, and how to tell when you should seek out the help of your physician:
- Pain or Tenderness: Pain may indicate inflammation/infection.
- Redness and Warmth: These symptoms may indicate a bacterial infection.
- Fever: If you have fever as well as swelling, it is advisable you consult a doctor.
- Fast Growing: Any fast growing lump should be monitored.
- Hard or Fixed: A firm lump that is fixed or does not move with movement of the overlying skin needs medical assessment.
- Symptoms Associated with Ear:
- Hearing problems
- Ear discharge
- Severe ear pain
These last three symptoms may indicate an underlying ear related infection.
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How Is a Lump Behind the Ear Diagnosed?
A doctor may:
- Perform a physical examination
- Check your ears, throat, and neck.
- Conduct laboratory tests (e.g. blood tests).
- Recommend further tests such as ultrasound imaging or CT/MRI scan.
The diagnosis will generally depend upon the size, shape, and associated symptoms of the lump.
Lump Behind Ear Treatment: What Are the Best Options?
- First Treatment Option: In the case of swollen lymph nodes, usually no treatment is considered necessary and the only advice given is to rest, drink fluids, treat the underlying cause of infection, and use pain medications as needed. After an infection clears, the swelling should diminish.
- Second Treatment Option: For sebaceous cysts, if the cyst is painless, observation (no treatment) is suggested, and if it becomes infected antibiotics should be given, the cyst should be drained and removed by minor surgery and should not be squeezed as this will cause infection to get worse.
- Third Treatment Option: Lipomas do not require any treatment unless they are particularly large; the usual procedure for removal would simply be outpatient surgery to remove the lipoma.
- Fourth Treatment Option: An absess must be treated with antibiotics, surgical procedures to drain the abcess, and provide pain medications and/or pain control. In addition, you should contact your doctor immediately if there is any possibility of developing complications due to the absess.
- Fifth Treatment Option: Mastoiditis is a very serious condition that must be treated with IV antibiotics while in the hospital and possibly require surgical intervention.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If you have a lump behind your ear, and any of the following applies:
- The lump has been there longer than 2 weeks
- The lump has become painful
- You have developed a fever
- The size of the swelling has increased rapidly
- There is discharge coming from your ear
- You are experiencing hearing loss
- Please see a health care provider.
Can a lump behind your ear be cancer?
Most lumps that are found behind the ear are benign (non-cancerous). However, there could be the rare occasion when a lump that has been present for a long time and is hard, painless, and does not go away needs to be investigated further in order to rule out more serious problems.
Some red flags that might indicate you may have something more serious include:
- Unintentional weight loss
- Night sweats
- Continued swelling
- A hard, immovable lump
How to Prevent Lumps Behind the Ear?
Prevention is not possible in every instance, but you can lower your risk of developing ear infections by doing the following:
- Practicing appropriate hygiene.
- Treating ear infections as soon as possible after noticing symptoms.
- Not touching/squeezing skin bumps excessively.
- Strengthening your immune system with a balanced diet.
- Going to see a doctor as soon as you notice signs of an infection.
Conclusion
A lump behind the ear is not an uncommon occurrence, and is very often a benign finding, however, if you experience excess pain, fever, or persistent swelling, do not “just wait and see”. For your own health and peace of mind, if you have an accurate diagnosis, seeking appropriate and timely treatment is possible.
At Shekhawati Hospital, we will provide high quality health care to you or a loved one if you experience swelling or pain in the area behind the ear. We will provide you with an evaluation and, if necessary, provide you with a referral to the appropriate physician for further evaluation or treatments. Our number one priority is your health and your safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is that what I feel behind my ear, a small painless bump?
Ans. Chances are high that what you are experiencing is a lymph node that has been swollen/lipoma/sebaceous cyst. If it has had no pain to this point, we do not believe that to be a cause for concern.
2. For how long do they generally last?
Ans. They may last from one week to two weeks; if they last longer than that, you should seek the advice of your physician.
3. Will I be in danger from the lumps that are located behind my ear?
Ans. In general they are not dangerous; however, if you have excessive fever, pain, or excessive swelling, you may want to contact your physician.
