Swollen Bump Behind Left Ear
I am a 25-year-old male, weighing 220 pounds and currently in good health, having no known medical issues. Over the past four months, I have experienced a 20-pound weight loss, likely due to increased stress levels. I have not encountered any recent illnesses or ear infections. Recently, I discovered a firm, movable lump located just behind my left ear, towards the top. It only causes pain when touched, and I became aware of it only a short while ago. Could this be a postauricular lymph node or possibly a cyst? It seems to correspond with that area. Should I adopt a wait-and-see approach, or is it advisable to seek medical attention?
Answers (1)
6/24/2025, 11:50:32 PM
OpenHealth AI
You’ve identified a firm, movable lump behind your left ear that causes discomfort when touched, paired with recent weight loss due to increased stress. This lump may indeed be a swollen lymph node, possibly linked to normal responses to stress or minor infections even if you don’t recall recent illnesses. Most lymph nodes return to normal size as your body adjusts or recovers. However, it's essential to monitor the situation closely.
Explanation
Lymph nodes can enlarge for several reasons, including stress, infections, or other non-threatening causes. Cysts are also a possibility, and they can vary in texture and movement. Since your lump is firm and movable, it leans more toward a lymph node. The weight loss should also be noted, as it can point to health changes that warrant further investigation.
Next Steps
-
Monitor the Lump: Check to see if it changes in size, consistency, or level of discomfort over the next couple of weeks. Keep track of any additional symptoms like fever, night sweats, or persistent fatigue.
-
Self-Care: Keep the area clean and avoid touching the lump unnecessarily to minimize irritation. Consider stress-reducing activities, which might also help with your recent weight loss.
-
Seek Attention if Necessary: If the lump increases in size, becomes painful beyond sensitivity, or if you experience other concerning symptoms (such as fever, significant weight loss, or persistent fatigue), it would be advisable to seek medical attention sooner.
-
Stay Aware of Stress: Since you've noted a connection to increased stress and weight loss, implementing stress management strategies like regular exercise, meditation, or hobbies you enjoy could be beneficial also in addressing your overall health.
Let me know if you have any other concerns or need further information!
Related Questions
Unusual Heart Sensation
I’m an 18-year-old, weighing 50 kilograms and standing at 170 centimeters (and yes, I’m aware that I’m quite slender). For the past couple of years, I’ve developed a habit of smoking about half a pack of cigarettes each day. So, the other day I was lying on my left side, relaxing, when I stumbled upon an unusual sensation. It felt as though my heart was pulsating so intensely that it was almost outside my body. Out of curiosity, I pressed a bit on the area and was instantly hit with a rush; my head started to tingle, my vision momentarily blurred, and it felt as though my heart dropped. It was as if my entire system had malfunctioned. Just for context, I’ve experienced something similar before after a ketamine overdose, and it persisted for about a month afterward, occurring occasionally while trying to sleep or during random moments in bed. This current episode has me quite anxious, especially since it hasn’t happened in a while, but this time felt particularly alarming.
Mass on the Glottis
Patient Details: 63-year-old male, height 165 cm, weight 66 kg, Asian descent. Lifestyle Factors: No history of smoking or alcohol consumption. Medical History: Diagnosed with asthma and angina. Current Medications: Uses a Symbicort inhaler and takes Concor tablets. Main Concern: A mass was detected during a gastroendoscopy carried out a year ago. There is no report of pain, but the patient experiences mild hoarseness. What might be the diagnosis?
Post-Gallbladder Surgery Concerns: Potential Infection Three Weeks Later?
Subject's Age: 35 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 4 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Geographic Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Almost three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. In the last few days, I have observed a small amount of cloudy discharge emerging from my incision site. Recently, I noticed what appears to be pus leaking from the area. While there is no significant pain, I do feel a mild soreness when I touch or move the site. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or is it advisable to seek medical attention at the emergency room for further evaluation?
Identifying a Mysterious Brown Circle on My Scalp
Age: 21 Gender: Female Height: 5'4" Weight: 175 lbs Ethnicity: White (Scottish/Irish) Location: California Current Medication: Testosterone injection administered subcutaneously in the thigh While I was having my hair dyed blue, my girlfriend noticed a perfectly circular brown mark on my scalp. It resembles a circle that appears to have been made with a brown marker. The size of the ring is similar to my thumb’s tip and contrasts sharply with the lighter shade of my scalp. There is no evidence of hair thinning or loss around this circle; we only discovered it because we were parting my hair. I’m curious if this could be connected to the brain fog or headaches I’ve been experiencing lately. I looked online, and while ringworm was suggested, it doesn’t match my symptoms since there are no bald patches or flaky skin. I’m open to answering any additional questions to help clarify this situation, as it's causing me some concern.
Should I Seek Medical Attention for a Possible Spinal Injury?
Greetings! I’m a 20-year-old male, and while I’m not overly anxious about my situation, I've been experiencing enough discomfort to consider it. Three days prior, I went snowboarding and attempted to navigate a box, which is essentially a flat metal structure with a slight ramp at the end. Unfortunately, I lost my balance close to the end of the box and landed squarely on my backside. This caused my back and head to make hard contact with the ground. At first, I didn’t perceive much pain in my back or head; instead, the primary source of pain seemed to be my rear, which felt as if it had developed a noticeable lump. However, I dismissed it at the time. The following day, the soreness persisted, alongside generalized discomfort throughout my upper body. Every time I coughed, I felt pain that radiated from my neck down to my abdomen, which was tender to the touch. I asked my girlfriend to check for any visible injuries, and although my butt showed no bruising, I did notice around five bruises along my spine. I’m questioning whether I should consult a physician. I usually avoid going to the doctor unless absolutely necessary, having only visited twice in the last four years (excluding vaccinations during my teenage years). I tend to prefer toughing things out to save on medical expenses, but if the situation warrants it, I wouldn’t hesitate to seek help as I did last year for an ear infection. What do you think – should I consider getting checked out?