Lump under the earlobe on the neck. What to do

When a neoplasm appears in the neck, a person usually begins to suspect the worst. but lump under the earlobe or elsewhere could mean that patients are simply suffering from colds or boils. But the risk of developing a malignant tumor cannot be ruled out.

As a rule, the formations that cause anxiety are rounded and do not feel painful when pressed. Some do not notice such a defect at all until they accidentally touch this area. It all depends on whether the lump grows and whether pain and other additional symptoms appear. If the unpleasant sensation has lasted for quite a long time, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Possible reasons

A lump in the neck is often a cause for concern, as large arteries that feed the brain as well as the spinal cord pass through this area. But in fact, malignant formations in this part of the body are quite rare. Most often, patients are diagnosed with so-called safe seals.

Name	Description
Lipoma	In the common people it is called a wen. Lipoma is an accumulation of fat in many different places on the human body. Tumors of this type are completely safe and are removed only if the defect is very conspicuous. Then a cosmetic procedure is performed to remove it.
Furuncle	This is an inflammation of a purulent type in the area of ​​the hair follicle. Boils are formed against the background of lowered immunity, if a person is often sick or suffers from a vitamin deficiency. Also, boils can be accompanied by infections and diabetes mellitus. The main feature of the boil is that it forms very quickly and hurts a lot. If severe swelling appears, it is better to go to the hospital, but most often the boils go away on their own.
Fibroma	This is a benign type of tumor that can appear at the site of an injury or scratch that may have been infected. Such a seal is extremely rarely degenerated into a malignant formation. It also does not cause painful symptoms and is considered safe.
Lymphadenitis	With the development of infectious diseases, an increase in lymph nodes often occurs. The swelling usually goes away on its own. But if, when pressing on such a seal, severe pain appears or hard balls are felt inside, then it is better to consult a specialist. You also need to seek help if a person has a severe fever.

But there are also problems that require urgent attention from specialists, and sometimes surgical intervention.

Atheroma

A lump under the earlobe on the neck may indicate a blockage of the sebaceous gland. As a rule, atheroma is formed in the area of ​​the hair follicle, that is, on the head, in the groin, and in the axillary area. During the development of atheroma, fat cells accumulate inside it, as well as the epithelium, which can provoke suppuration.

Outwardly, atheroma is very similar to a lipoma, but differs from it in that in this case, severe pain appears. As a rule, those who are diagnosed with seborrhea, hyperhidrosis or acne suffer from such a blockage.

Neck cyst

It is a hollow formation with a liquid inside. The danger of a cyst is that a large amount of pus can form inside it very quickly and a malignant tumor will develop.

Most often, a cyst appears at an early stage of embryonic development and sometimes develops simultaneously with a fistula of the neck. Usually the problem is noticed immediately after the birth of the child, but sometimes the lump appears in adolescence or in adults. In 50% of cases, the cyst suppurates, and the fistula develops due to the fact that the abscess is emptied through the skin.

Neurogenic tumor

Typically, these tumors form at the ends of the nerve trunks. Formations of this type are considered safe, but in rare situations, a malignant formation is diagnosed. In this case, the patient will have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy. But the risk of developing a malignant tumor is only 20%.

Tumors of this type appear as dense formations that are easily palpable. In the initial stages, patients do not complain of any additional symptoms. But sometimes in the area of ​​nerve damage, tingling sensations or "goose bumps" may appear. Gradually, this feeling intensifies, from time to time there may be partial numbness in this area.

A benign tumor of a neurogenic type differs in that it is mobile, but does not move along the so-called longitudinal axis of the affected trunk. Also, the seal remains stationary when adjacent muscles contract. Muscle weakness and severe numbness of the affected and adjacent areas are observed in the late stages of neurogenic tumor development. This is due to the fact that impulse conduction is blocked.

If the tumor is malignant, then the patient complains of severe pain, which is noticeably increased by palpation. People also experience a cut (decreased muscle strength), numbness, blanching, and thinning of the skin. The tumor itself is very dense and connects with adjacent tissues, so it does not move.

Lymphogranulomatosis

LGM is an enlargement of the malignant type of lymph nodes. In this case, the person may not feel any discomfort or additional symptoms. Lymphogranulomatosis affects mainly young patients aged 20 to 30 years, as well as those who are already 60 years old. The exact reasons for the development of LGM have not yet been established. It is believed that LGM develops against the background of viral infections, but it can also be a hereditary pathology.

Symptoms of lymphogranulomatosis include intoxication, the appearance of extranodal foci (lymphomas). As a rule, the pathology develops with the onset of fever, when the patient's body temperature reaches 39 ° C. People also complain of too much sweating, which intensifies at night, a feeling of weakness, lack of appetite and itching in the affected area. However, such symptoms are common in many pathologies, so it can be difficult to identify the disease.

The first sign of lymphogranulomatosis is enlarged lymph nodes. In this case, the increase will not necessarily be visible, but is felt only with self-palpation.

Oncology of adjacent organs

A lump under the earlobe on the neck does not necessarily indicate a problem in that area. The cause may be damage to the thyroid gland, trachea, throat or larynx. Against the background of the disease, metastases develop, which are difficult to diagnose at an early stage, since the seal does not cause discomfort or pain. As a rule, tumors of this type are detected only during a planned full examination of the patient.

Lump behind the ear in children

If a seal appears in a child, then this may also indicate lyfadenitis, boils and other non-dangerous diseases, from which adults also suffer. Children often develop atheromas and lipomas.

But also a lump in this area can be a sign of mumps (better known as "mumps"). This is an inflammatory process that takes place in the parotid salivary glands.

During the "mumps" and children, other symptoms are observed:

• increased body temperature;
• general malaise, drowsiness;
• pain in the neck and ears that are worse when chewing.

Mumps is a dangerous infection that can lead to serious complications. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, you need to consult a child therapist.

In young children, ear fistula is more often diagnosed against the background of abnormalities in the course of intrauterine development of the embryo. Usually, doctors detect the presence of such a fistula in a timely manner, then prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs. In more advanced cases, surgery may be required.

Diagnostics

In the early stages, a lump under the earlobe in the neck area may not appear in any way, even if we are talking about a malignant tumor. The person does not complain of discomfort, which is why he postpones the visit to the doctor.

Specialists should choose the best ones based on the type of seal. If the patient does not yet imagine what this might be, then it is worth visiting a therapist who can identify the alleged pathology or refer the patient to a more narrowly specialized specialist. If we are talking about skin diseases, then a dermatologist is involved in the treatment, you can also consult with a specialist in cosmetic operations. Sometimes, against the background of a cyst of the neck, infections can form in adjacent areas.

This means that a person is additionally diagnosed with caries, tonsillitis or tonsillitis. In such cases, a dentist and an otolaryngologist are involved in the treatment. With pathologies of the thyroid gland, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist, and the oncologist will rule out the likelihood of developing a malignant tumor.

At the reception, the doctor first conducts a visual examination, palpation. Additionally, you will need to conduct an MRI of the cervical spine. The study of soft tissues will allow you to determine how large the formation really is and whether it connects with neighboring tissues, as well as vessels. In addition, to study the seal, it is necessary to undergo an ultrasound procedure, make an X-ray.

In more complex situations, when the doctor finds it difficult to make a diagnosis, he prescribes a biopsy. This procedure involves taking a tissue sample and analyzing it. In the course of a histological examination, it will be possible to say with absolute certainty whether the formation is malignant or benign.

Treatment methods

Therapeutic measures directly depend on what exactly caused the appearance of the seal on the ear. If we are talking about a safe formation, which leads only to an external defect, then the lump is removed surgically. If the swelling is the result of an infection, then the doctor selects antibiotics for treatment, as well as antifungal drugs.

They allow you to prevent the subsequent development of infection, exclude the appearance of scars at the site of compaction. Medicines and the course of treatment are determined on an individual basis, since there are a huge number of varieties of antibacterial agents. In addition, during the treatment period, it is important to monitor the hygiene of the inflamed skin area and not to allow it to constantly come into contact with clothing.

If the lump is an atheroma or lipoma, then it often disappears on its own. But in case of complications, the lump may fill with pus. The doctor will then prescribe cortisone injections or surgery. Excision of the neoplasm can be performed under local anesthesia or laser removal methods.

If the lipoma does not cause serious discomfort, then experts recommend not touching it. When treating adipose tissue, drugs are injected into them with the help of injections, which destroy adipose tissue, against the background of which its complete resorption occurs.

Cancer pathologies require more detailed diagnostics, surgery or chemotherapy. Most often, in order to avoid recurrence, the tumor is excised along with the tissues located nearby.

If a boil occurs in the head or neck area, you can use Vishnevsky ointment. Ichthyol ointment is also highly effective. Such drugs provoke a faster discharge of pus and a breakthrough of the abscess itself. After the purulent discharge has come out, it is recommended to apply bandages moistened with Methyluracil ointment or Levomecol, which contains an antibiotic, on the damaged area.

When using Levomekol, you need to lubricate the damaged areas of the skin with the agent, and then cover them with a sterile bandage or close with an adhesive plaster. You need to do such dressings 2 times a day or more often if a lot of pus has accumulated inside the swelling.

If a lump behind the ear appears against the background of inflammation of the lymph nodes, then treatment includes taking medications that relieve the inflammatory process and allow the body to fight infections and viruses.

Amoxicillin

The drug is sold in the form of tablets, capsules or suspensions (if treatment is required by the child). The drug must be taken three times a day, 500 mg. For children, the dosage is calculated on an individual basis. To do this, the doctor assesses the severity of the infection, as well as the age, weight, and other characteristics of the patient.

The cost of Amoxicillin is from 40 rubles.

Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid

This is a number of drugs, such as Flemoxin, Panklav and others. Thanks to clavulanic acid, which is part of the product, the antibiotic becomes more resistant to destruction by penicillinases, that is, by the enzymes of individual bacteria.

The dosage of the drug is prescribed on an individual basis, but more often the doctor prescribes 625 mg of the drug for adults, which must be taken 3 times a day, at regular intervals. The course of treatment should not exceed 10 days. For children, the drug is usually prescribed in smaller doses and with a shorter course of treatment.

In a pharmacy, the drug can be purchased for 40-100 rubles.

Ampicillin

A lump under the earlobe on the neck can be a sign of pathologies that can only be treated with antibiotics. For example, Ampicillin is highly effective. The drug is also available in various forms, including suspensions. Adults should take Ampicillin 500-700 mg 4 times a day. For children, the dosage is calculated from weight and is 12-20 mg per 1 kg.

The cost of Ampicillin is about 30-40 rubles. per packing.

Treatment with folk methods

It is worthwhile to proceed to such measures only if the patient is sure that we are not talking about a malignant neoplasm, and also after consulting a doctor. If the patient suffers from inflammation of the lymph node, then an effective remedy is Echinacea in the form of a tincture. 10 drops of the drug should be diluted in a glass of warm water and taken 4 times a day. Additionally, it is recommended to take from 750 to 1500 mg of vitamin C.

In the treatment of lymphadenitis in folk medicine, Canadian goldenseal is used. It is an effective antiseptic. You need to take the medicine 3 times a day for 1/2 tsp. l.

Small wen is treated with baked onions. Grind its pulp, and then mix with one tablespoon of grated laundry soap. The resulting mass is placed in a small gauze bag and applied to the swelling 2 times a day for 15-20 minutes.

However, it should be borne in mind that in the case of inflammation of the lymph nodes, it is better not to put any lotions on them, since this can only accelerate the inflammatory process.

It should be borne in mind that there are also more complex purulent diseases, which consist in damage to the subcutaneous tissue, that is, we are talking about carbuncles. These pathologies also contribute to the enlargement of the lymph nodes in the ear area. In no case should such seals be treated at home, as surgical intervention is required.

Possible consequences and complications

Without treatment, infections and inflammation can be complicated. This can provoke a serious deterioration in the condition, an increase in temperature. If the patient suffers from cancer, then the malignant tumor will gradually grow, affecting more and more large areas.

Without timely chemotherapy or surgery, there is a high likelihood that the patient's life expectancy will be severely reduced. Therefore, if the swelling not only does not go away for a long time, but also gradually grows and other symptoms are added, then it is important to consult a specialist.

If a lump under the earlobe or a lump on the neck gradually goes away on its own and over time completely disappears, then you still need to periodically inspect at home, as there is a possibility relapses. If the seal does not appear for the first time (even if it disappears on its own), it is better to undergo an examination.

Video about a lump on the neck

If you have a lump on your neck: