I Have a Mass Behind My Ear β Is It Serious?
Finding a lump behind your ear can be surprising. Here is what it might mean.
Lumps behind the ear are common and usually benign. The area behind the ear contains lymph nodes, glands, and other tissues that can form lumps.
- Common causes include:
- Swollen lymph node β from an ear infection, scalp infection, or a cold
- Sebaceous cyst β a harmless, slow-growing bump under the skin filled with keratin
- Lipoma β a soft, fatty lump
- Mastoiditis β infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear (accompanied by pain and fever)
- Parotid gland swelling β the parotid salivary gland extends to the area behind the ear
- Enlarged lymph node from infection β common in children and young adults
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Tender, painful lump (infection)
- Lump that appeared with an ear infection or scalp sore
- Soft, movable, skin-colored bump
- Small (less than 1 cm)
- Goes away within 2β3 weeks
- Worth having checked:
- Painless lump that lasts more than 3 weeks
- Hard or rubbery, fixed in place
- Growing steadily
- Multiple lumps
- Accompanied by ear pain, hearing loss, or facial weakness
When to See a Doctor
- See a doctor if:
- The lump lasts longer than 3 weeks without shrinking
- It is hard, fixed, and painless
- You have ear pain, hearing loss, or drainage from your ear
- You have facial weakness or drooping on that side
- The lump is growing