Painful lump on back of head

[Areyoufree]

I recently had a flu-like virus, and when I was nearly recovered, I developed a sore spot at the back, left hand side of my head, which then became swollen and painful. It lasted a few days, and then went away. However, four or five days later it has come back. It is constantly painful - feels like constant pressure, and the whole area is swollen and sore. I was wondering if it could be a swollen lymph node. If it doesn't get better, I will see a doctor on Tuesday, but was just wondering if anyone else had had this?

Whereabouts on the back of your head? There are lymph nodes at the top of your neck/bottom of head, so could be one of those. Mine often come up when I'm under the weather. I hope you feel better soon

It does look like it could be the occipital one - but only on one side. But there's also a strange, small lump that feels almost like a large skin tag just below it. The whole corner of the base of my skull is achy and itchy. Obviously not expecting to be diagnosed via forum, just curious as to whether this sounds similar to an enlarged node, or whether it is a cyst (or something else).

Thought I would update, just because I always like it when threads have a conclusion! Apparently the bump thing is a bit of a worry, and they want to have a closer look at it. However, if it is cancer, then it is one of the very slow growing ones, so shouldn't be a big problem. Was not expecting that though - totally thought I would be sent on my way and told to come back if things hadn't improved in a few weeks!

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that. And thank you for updating - I also like threads with a conclusion :)

Have they said what type of cancer they are looking for? I hope it turns out to be benign.

Will you be having a biopsy?

I've got bowel cancer myself. You're welcome to come and join us over on the cancer support thread while you wait for results if you'd like to. We often have people waiting for tests to see if they have cancer or not.

Sorry, should've included the link

They think it might be basal cell carcinoma, which is basically the least cancer-y type of cancer you can get - is very slow growing, and doesn't spread. And obviously it could still be nothing. I think I would feel like a bit of a fraud on a cancer support forum when there are people dealing with so much more serious diagnoses!

Am sorry to hear about the bowel cancer - that sounds horrendous. I hope things improve, and that your treatment isn't too grueling.

Ah yes, if you are going to get cancer that's a better one but cancer is cancer so you're more than welcome to join us if you'd find it helpful.

Fingers crossed it turns out to be just a random lump and disappears soon :)

After some googling about lumps on heads I came across your post.
I have to say what you have described is frighteningly identical to what I’m going through
I’m just coming out of a 5 day flu like illness which totally wiped me out. Then today I noticed that the back of my head (just to the left of the boney bit at the base. It’s becone very angry and painful
I was wondering how you got on and what the outcome was please as it could have been me writing your post my situation is so similar
I hope you recovered and are on the mend 🤗

Hi Scoobylou, whatever happened with yours? I'm experiencing something very similar..

Hi venthe21man
My lump turned into a deep nasty scab and has created a bald patch, I admit I picked it and was full of pus and was left with a hole in my scalp about the size of a 5p pieces. Even now I have a thin scab on the area and it still weeps? The doctor just gave me antibiotics but it was bizarre. The strangest thing was when the pus came out all I could smell was vomit? Absolutely vile!!!