Please give me beningn causes of a lump behind the ear

[underthehawthorntree]

Lump is hard and immovable. Probably 20p coin size. Not painful. In the lymph node behind my ear. Appeared a few days ago. Anyone had this and it wasn't anything serious? If so please share as I am very anxious!

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/health-anxiety/

For lump behind the ear - call 111, they will assess or you could go and see a pharmacist who could assess/advise.

What is not helpful if you are anxious is seeking non medical advice from forums.

@underthehawthorntree if it only appeared a few days ago that's reassuring. Lymph nodes do swell at times. Just see your GP if you're worried.

I've been to the GP already. He referred me to have my bloods done and I've got some antibiotics too.

Try not to worry OP, it sounds like the a reaction to an infection of some sort. My son had this when he was young after a long cold/flu virus. It took about a month to go down competely.

My 10 year old had this. He'd been picking at a scab on his head and the GP said the lymph node came up due to this. I was surprised at how hard and immovable it was. Went down after a while, was ages ago so can't remember if he took antibiotics or not. Hope yours is something simple too.

Mine do this when I get an ear infection or tonsillitis. It’s a normal reaction to an infection and just means your immune system is doing its job.

The thing is i don't have any ear infection or throat infection. I've had a cough which has now gone...could it be that?

Yes, it could - it’s close to your upper respiratory tract. One of mine has neve4 gone back down competely but it’s been confirmed as noth8ng to worry about. But like any lump it’s good to get it checked, which you have, so that’s good. The antibiotics should destroy any remaining infection.

My lymph nodes are permanently swollen in my neck and I occasionally get it behind my ear. It’s just because I have eczema. Yes a cough could be it.

To sum up why lymph nodes swell up - they’re essentially where blood cells go to mature and also where white blood cells take some parts of infection to clear them. Imagine little antibodies on the WBCs grabbing the virus invaders and dragging them (along the lymphatic system) to jail (lymph nodes) before executing and destroying them. So at the end of a mild illness the lymph is super busy and full.

I’ve got a cyst that fills up sometimes. You’re doing the right thing in getting it checked but it could be harmless