The bump behind the ear is a seal behind the auricle, which can signal quite serious problems in the body.
It can be both hard and painful enough, and not cause discomfort. A bump behind the ear may appear suddenly, or grow gradually.
Its dimensions can range from a few millimeters to 5 centimeters.
Bump behind the ear - reasons
There may be several reasons for the appearance of bumps behind the ear. In order to install them correctly, you need to visit a doctor.
Lymphadenitis
The most common cause of bumps behind the ear is inflammation of the lymph node. Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, which in turn is related to the human immune system. Lymphadenitis occurs due to transferred infectious diseases, the causative agents of which can be viruses, bacteria (in most cases streptococcus or staphylococcus), fungi or simple microorganisms, as well as non-infectious diseases.
Infectious causes of bumps behind the ear:
• Infections of the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, laryngitis, periodontal disease, caries.
• Diseases of the ENT organs: otitis media, sinusitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis.
• Tuberculosis.
• Diabetes
• HIV infection.
• Toxoplasmosis.
Non-infectious causes of lymphadenitis:
• Lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes).
• Metastases to the lymph nodes, with malignant tumors in other parts of the body.
• The inflammatory process in response to a foreign body.
With lymphadenitis, the bump behind the ear does not differ in large sizes. It can be quite painful, and be accompanied by swelling, redness and fever.
Parotitis
This is an acute viral disease, better known as mumps. With this disease, the bumps occur behind both ears, they can be in the form of a tumor passing to the ears and cheeks. Their cause is inflammation of the salivary glands.
The disease can be accompanied by pain when swallowing, opening the mouth, and fever.
Lipoma
It is a soft, mobile, painless lump behind the ear. Zhiroviki never go to the stage of the tumor. They appear in those places where fatty tissue grows. The diameter of the wen does not exceed one and a half centimeters. They can grow in rare cases. The bump behind the ear in this case is a cosmetic problem.
The causes of lipoma are:
• Violation of fat metabolism.
• Slagging of the body.
• Hereditary predisposition.
• Sudden changes in the fat layer.
Atheroma
These are cysts that occur on smooth muscle walls. They arise due to blockage of the sebaceous gland, due to the impossibility of removing the lipoid substance in the output duct, a cyst is formed. Tumors can reach large sizes. In some cases, they can degenerate into malignant.
The reason for their appearance may be:
• Poor hygiene.
• Endocrine disorders.
• Unfavorable living or working conditions.
The disease may be accompanied by symptoms such as increased swelling, itching, redness, and a feeling of excess fluid.
Fibroma
The lump behind the ear in this case looks like a small ball, separated from the skin by a small leg. Fibroma is usually painless. If it increases or becomes inflamed, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Hemangioma
The cause of hemangioma is the pathological development of blood vessels and their fusion. The bump behind the ear in this case has a red tint. It can be either hard or soft to the touch. Hemangioma can grow rapidly, while destroying the healthy tissues nearby.
Malignant neoplasms
The cause of the bumps behind the ear may be neurofibromatosis, soft tissue sarcoma, or basal cell carcinoma. The color of the tumor in this case may not differ in color from the skin or be slightly darker. Such neoplasms can be painful or fuse with surrounding tissues.
Bump behind the ear - diagnostic methods
If a lump appears behind the ear, you must consult a surgeon. This must be done if:
• If within 2 weeks after the infectious disease, the lymph nodes have not decreased.
• If all lymph nodes are enlarged.
• If a seal has not been preceded by any infectious disease.
• The bump behind the ear begins to hurt badly, or pus appears inside.
The doctor conducts a visual examination, then gives a referral for a general blood test. It is done in order to exclude the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. If necessary, diagnostic methods may be prescribed, such as:
• Magnetic resonance therapy.
• Ultrasound examination.
• Biopsy.
They are carried out if there is a suspicion that the bump behind the ear is a malignant formation, or metastases became its cause.
Bump behind the ear - treatment methods
For each disease, its own treatment methods are used. This may be the appointment of medications or surgical intervention. The method of treatment is chosen by the doctor, after a visual examination and the necessary tests.
Alternative medicine can also be used. This should be done with caution, as self-medication can be harmful.
Traditional ways
Traditional treatments include medication or surgery. If the cause of the appearance of the bump behind the ear is not known, it is by no means recommended to warm it or squeeze out the contents yourself.
Cyst treatment
If the bump behind the ear is a cyst, then it may disappear on its own over a period of time. If this does not happen, surgical intervention is necessary. It can be performed both under local and general anesthesia. This completely removes all its contents. To do this, a small incision is made, which helps to open access to the content. Then the cavity is washed.
A laser is also used to remove cysts. In this case, the contents of the cyst are burned out or evaporated. This method is used only if the cyst is small. There is a risk of relapse.
Lipoma treatment
In this case, the lump behind the ear as well as the cysts are removed surgically. The most popular way is the laser. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. Using a surgical laser, the skin above the tumor is dissected and at the same time, vascular coagulation is performed in order to prevent bleeding.
Then the edges of the resulting wound are carefully diluted and the capsule is pulled up with a clamp. A lipoma is burned out of the tissue with a laser, while removing the remaining fragments and cauterizing blood vessels to stop bleeding.
The procedure itself lasts about a quarter of an hour, and at the end of the procedure, a bandage is applied to the wound. In this case, infection and swelling of the wound is completely eliminated.
Lymphadenitis and mumps
If infectious diseases are the cause of the bumps behind the ear, first of all, their cause must be eliminated. For this, drugs of different groups are used. It can be antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal drugs or antibiotics. The dose of the drug and the course of treatment should be prescribed by a doctor.
• Outwardly, in this case, use a solution of Dimethyl sulfoxide, which is mixed in proportion with boiled water 1: 4. In this solution, a napkin is moistened and applied to the bump behind the ear. It must be fixed with a bandage and left overnight. If the bump is painful, Novocaine solution can be used to dilute Dimexidum.
• If the cause of the lump is dermatological disease, antihistamines in the form of tablets are used for treatment and a solution of Fucorcin is applied externally.
Purulent lymphadenitis is treated with an operative method. An abscess is opened, pus is removed from it, and the wound is drained in order to avoid relapse of the disease. In the future, the principles of treatment are the same as for purulent wounds.
Malignant tumors
In this case, the bump behind the ear is eliminated exclusively by surgery, in most cases with the use of general anesthesia. Depending on the stage of the disease, chemotherapy is performed to prevent further development of the disease and metastasis.
Folk ways
• You can get rid of a wen or enlarged lymph nodes using a special ointment prepared at home. To do this, bake a large onion in the oven. Then it needs to be turned into pulp and added there by a teaspoon of brown washing soap, crushed on a grater, and the same amount of honey. The resulting mass is applied to the cone and secured with a bandage. It needs to be changed twice a day, until the cones disappear completely.
• You can also prepare the following ointment. In a water bath, heat a glass of olive oil, then add 20 grams of natural beeswax. After it dissolves, you need to gradually add half the hard-boiled yolk of a boiled chicken egg. In the process of adding the ointment will foam. It must be filtered using nylon, transferred to a glass container and stored in the refrigerator. Lubricate the bump behind the ear with ointment daily, up to 3 times a day. This should be done until it is completely resolved.
• Red beet, rubbed on a fine grater, and add a little honey to the gruel. The gruel is applied to the seal and covered with a bandage. It is necessary to change such a compress twice a day.
If a bump is found behind the ear, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible to establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment.
