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Hard lump behind ear

11 replies

Jmae · 22/01/2022 20:32

For over a year, I’ve had a hard painless lump, a bit bigger than a pea, behind my right earlobe. It doesn’t move at all, and almost feels like it’s a part of a bone, however it’s very much noticeable when you feel it compared to behind the other ear. I had a phone appointment with the doctor when I first noticed it, and the doctor didn’t say much other than “I’m not concerned about it”, and that I should book a face to face appointment if I was worried. After she told me she wasn’t concerned, I forgot about it for almost a year, and I recently remembered again and realised it’s still there, the same size as it was last year. I don’t think it’s anything sinister (it would’ve grown by now), but I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this? Thanks!

OP posts:
mrsed1987 · 22/01/2022 20:39

Probably a lymph node. They swell when your fighting illness and sometimes don't go back down. My son has one behind his ear, they did blood tests though as he was only little but they were fine

Jmae · 22/01/2022 20:55

Thank you!! I feel a little better about it now, even though it’s been there for over a year I have every single worse case scenario in my head! I had coronavirus a couple of months before I noticed it, so maybe it was that.

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youhadmeatjello · 30/01/2022 23:00

I’ve got one of these. Came up after being Ill and never ever went down. Been there for years now. I sometimes get a bit obsessed with it and start poking and prodding it but doctors have never been worried about it.

Saisong · 30/01/2022 23:05

My DD has one, it was checked out some years ago - she got a referral via GP. Consultant said nothing to worry about, only come back if it changes in any significant way - gets bigger or itchy etc.

Bubblegum22 · 30/01/2022 23:09

I had one years ago, GP gave me antibiotics, it didn’t go. GP wasn’t concerned, said it was blocked pore or something.

So I was booked into local surgery for minor procedure, under a local anaesthetic; they cut it off I think/scraped it away (sorry for TMI) - it was what I could hear when they were doing it, very weird. Hasn’t come back since.

OhGingleBells · 30/01/2022 23:14

I have these behind both ears! Apparently they came up when I was a baby and never went down. When I had rubella as a teenager (despite being vaccinated!) they got even bigger and the doctor had a look but didn’t seem too concerned. They get hot and throb and swell up a bit if I’m run down or poorly.

RoyKentsChestHair · 30/01/2022 23:19

I have one the size of a grape behind one ear and another on my neck on the other side. They’ve been there for many years - noticed about 20 years ago after my thyroid first failed. Nothing to worry about, although they do get painful occasionally if I’m feeling run down.

Frazzled2207 · 30/01/2022 23:24

A bit smaller than what you have but I have similar behind my ear, I recall being slightly panicked when I first felt it but it was about 20 years ago. Hasn’t changed in that time and doesn’t bother me either

I think it’s most likely fine but in your shoes I would push for a f2f. Then if gp is insistent you don’t need to worry then don’t!

SwimmingOnEggshells · 30/01/2022 23:40

It's a lymph node, nothing to worry about. I have one too.

Jmae · 30/01/2022 23:51

Thank you everyone! I feel much better about it now. It makes sense that they appear after being ill, I think I noticed it after I was ill with long covid for 6 months (I’m only 20 years old with no medical conditions, yet covid completely wrecked my immune system!). The lump hasn’t grown, so I don’t think I need to get it investigated. Thanks again for the comments!

OP posts:
Enough4me · 31/01/2022 00:23

I have one behind my ear that appeared after chicken pox when I was in primary school 33 years ago. I've always been glad it's hidden behind my ear.

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