Lumps behind the ear can be caused by many things, such as an infection or swollen lymph nodes. Some of the causes are not dangerous. However, lumps behind the ear need to be aware of if accompanied by other complaints.
Although the cause is not always dangerous, a lump behind the ear still needs to be examined by a doctor, because it could be a sign of a problem in the ear, throat, or nose that causes swelling behind the ear.
This condition needs to be examined by a doctor, especially if a lump that appears behind the ear is accompanied by other complaints, such as ear pain, ringing in the ears, impaired hearing, dizziness or vertigo, fever, difficulty swallowing, to headaches.
Causes of Lumps Behind the Ear
Lumps behind the ear are often caused by bacterial and viral infections. Examples of infections that can trigger the appearance of these lumps are strep throat, mononucleosis, measles, smallpox, and even HIV / AIDS.
Besides infection, there are several other diseases that can cause a lump behind the ear, including:
1. Otitis media and internal
Otitis media is an infection in the middle ear, precisely in the cavity located behind the eardrum. This infection usually causes a buildup of fluid in the ear, pain in the ear, and swelling in the back of the ear.
Otitis media that often recurs and is not treated can cause complications, such as an inner ear infection (otitis interna), hearing loss, ruptured eardrum, a tumor in the ear called cholesteatoma, and meningitis.
Therefore, you should immediately consult a ENT doctor if you experience symptoms that lead to otitis media. To treat bacterial infections of the ear, doctors will usually give antibiotics and ear drops.
2. Mastoiditis
Mastoiditis is inflammation of the mastoid bone, which is the bone behind the ear that plays a role in the hearing process. One sign of mastoiditis is a lump behind the ear. This symptom is usually accompanied by headaches and pus or discharge from the ear.
Mastoiditis is often caused by otitis media which is not treated immediately, so bacteria from the middle ear cavity spread to the mastoid bone. Mastoiditis can be treated with antibiotics, ear drops, or by cleaning the ears to the doctor.
If this method does not work, surgery may be needed to prevent complications.
3. Abscess
Abscesses or pus-filled lumps appear when the body fights germs that cause infection. When fighting bacteria, the body sends white blood cells to an infected area of the body, for example behind the ear.
Bacteria and white blood cells that die will accumulate in the form of pus and cause a lump behind the ear.
Small abscesses are likely to shrink, dry out, and disappear naturally without treatment. However, larger abscesses need to be treated with antibiotics, and pus needs to be removed with the help of a doctor.
4. Lymphadenopathy
Lymphadenopathy is a condition when there is swollen lymph nodes. The lymph nodes themselves are spread in various parts of the body, and one of them is behind the ear. When the lymph nodes behind the ear swell, a lump will appear in the area.
Swollen lymph nodes are usually caused by infection, inflammation, or even cancer. Treatment of this condition depends of course on the cause. Although sometimes it can heal without treatment, a lump behind the ear caused by swollen lymph nodes still needs to be seen by a doctor.
5. Cancer
One of the causes of the emergence of a lump behind the ear that should be wary of is nasopharyngeal cancer. Apart from a lump behind the ear, this cancer can also cause a lump in the neck or throat.
This cancer is often asymptomatic in its early stages. But as the disease develops, lumps can appear behind the ear accompanied by other symptoms, such as:
- Difficult
- Ear pain.
- Colds that don't heal.
- Frequent nosebleeds.
- Hearing disorders.
- Spots or canker sores in the mouth that do not go away.
- The voice became hoarse
- Pain in the neck or jaw.
- Weight loss.
If you find any of these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor to get further treatment.
Besides infection, several other conditions can also cause the appearance of a lump behind the ear are:
- Lipoma, a lump of fat that grows between the layers of the skin. These lumps can grow anywhere, including behind the ears, and are generally harmless.
- Pimples or boils.
- Sebaceous cysts, which are lumps that are not cancerous.
So, what kind of lump should be seen by a doctor?
When you find a lump behind the ear, try to feel and feel it. If the lump feels soft and moves easily, there is a possibility the lump is a lipoma. If the lump feels soft and painful to the touch, it may be that the lump is a pimple or an abscess.
Also pay attention to whether there are other symptoms that accompany the appearance of the lump. For example, if the lump is accompanied by fever or chills, there is a possibility you have an infection. This condition must be immediately treated by a doctor.
Because it can be caused by many things, a lump behind the ear should be examined by an ENT doctor. This examination is important to determine the cause of the appearance of a lump behind the ear, and to determine whether the lump is dangerous or not.
