Small lump on child’s neck under ear

[Maddylee]

Just after some advice….
My daughter has a small lump in the side of her neck under her ear, I would say it’s roughly pea sized. I can’t feel it all the time, it’s more prominent when she’s laid down with her neck to one side or sat up looking straight ahead. In any other position I can’t feel it. A family member said they felt a ‘lump’ a couple of months ago, same side, though they said they couldn’t feel it now shortly after so I thought nothing of it. Now I’m worrying that’s it’s been there for a while. If it was illness related wouldn’t it have gone by now??
I plan to call the paediatric dr Monday (tried today but they weren’t in) but just wondered if anyone has any experience of this?

Sounds like a lymph node. They go up and down with infections. But please do get the gp to confirm.

Would it be raised for a. Inside table amount of time, it’s been there at least 2 months

Sorry, typo! That was meant to read considerable!

My son has one that appeared when he was 1, he's 10 and it's still there. It's a swollen lymph node.

It's been checked and it's fine but do get it checked if you're concerned.

Lymph nodes can stay raised for a long time or permanently. It's unlikely to be anything to worry about but still worth getting the GP to confirm..

Thanks all. @user2908143823142536475859708 what’s checks did they do with your son? I was thinking of asking for a blood test at least

My DS had this and it was an infection in the mastoid bone. He needed antibiotics but was fine.

@PotteringAlong did your son have any other symptoms at all? My daughter has had a cough for a while (not since January though when this lump was first felt) but other than that nothing, no temperature or pain. When I take her to the dr they said her chest is clear so not sure if the lump is due to an infection.

Obviously common sense tells me it’s a gland but of course your mind often wonders and you think the worse

My son had bloods taken and they came back normal.

It swells when he's not well but never goes back down to regular size.

The doctor said it was really common in children.

Ok that’s good to know. Though I do think I can feel some other smaller lumps as well down her neck. It kind of feels symmetrical with the other side but more raised.

DS had this when tiny and in his case was a lump associated with torticollis. Maybe have a Google of that and see if it resonates?

Pea/bean sized is normal size lymph node, a raised or swollen node would be classed as over 1.5cm or bigger. Our lymph nodes stay the same size when we are children to adults and because children have very small necks it can be alarming to find a lump but speak to your gp to have it checked

I've had a raised lymph node under my chin at the top of my neck for about the last 25 years. It's definitely normal for them to be persistent. The standard ones in my neck also pop up at the mere hint of a sore throat. Always seek medical advice to calm your fears if worried as it will reassure you more than a stranger on the internet will but it's highly likely nothing to worry about

Thanks for the comments. I think it may be possibly bigger than 1.5cm and weirdly it’s more prominent when she’s laid down with her head to the side. It’s definitely more raised one side than the other. I’m definitely going to call the paediatric nurse on Monday and hopefully get an appointment to get it checked at least

@Maddylee did you ever get to the bottom of this? My son has similar Thankyou