Little lump behind ear

[mumsnoangel]

I've found a little lump behind my earlobe close to the mastoid bone. Its not visible but I can feel it, so not on the surface of my skin. It's pretty close to the muscle or tendon on the side of my neck beneath my ear. It feels about the size of a lentil and firm but not particularly hard, like it could be fatty or gristle. I don't think it's a lymph node, as I think that would be larger like a pebble? It seems a trivial thing to bother my GP about, but I keep touching it, and it is bothering me. Is it likely to be nothing to worry about? It's hard to tell if it's attached to anything.

How big is a pebble though?

Normal nodes are usually less than ½ inch (12 mm) across. This is the size of a pea or baked bean. They also feel soft and are easy to move. Swollen nodes with a viral infection are usually ½ to 1 inch (12 -25 mm) across
Pic shows where lymph nodes are.

It could be a lymph node just not sure whether I watch and wait for a few weeks to see if this resolves or should see the doctor sooner. This side is definitely different to the other where I can feel no bumps.

Hello did you manage to get rid of this ? I have the same thing it’s hard not to freak out
:( x

I had a scan and it was a lymph node. Big relief. The radiologist said that due to where it was - close to the surface of the skin and with bone behind it - it could be felt "has nowhere to hide". Big relief. Worrying about it spoiled my holiday. I must get so,e help for my health anxiety....

Gosh I’m just the same ! Health anxiety rules my life. I’ve heard therapy is great for others.

I have one that came up behind my ear after Chickenpox and never left when I was 11 (over 30 years ago) and an adipose tissue lump that developed nearby around the Covid period. Scanned and all well as surface level and move, but lumps are worrying aren't they!

I've had one behind my right ear for a month now. It doesn't seem to be going anywhere. I too have health anxiety and the GP rolls their eyes when I walk in. I don't know what to do.

@PestoPasghetti unless you're drastically losing weight without reason, nightsweats and other symptoms you will probably be told to wait a few more weeks and monitor as viruses can last months and lumps can go down. You could note on a calender size and other concerns and then you have a record.