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Suggest Treatment For Painless Lump At Base Of Neck
Question: My 19 year old son just had his hair cut and we noticed a lump on the back of his head. It's located between his ears on the base of his skull. The lump is soft and is good size. We haven't noticed before and he hasn't been hit. He is not having any pain from it . Wondering if it could be swollen gland or if it is something more?
Brief Answer:
Don't worry, simply observe for any increase in size or appearance of pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
The region you have mentioned is common site for lymph node(occipital lymph node).Lymph nodes are part of the immune system.
The commonest cause of enlargement of a lymph node is reactive(non specific inflammation),the second common cause is infection (lymphadenitis).
The reactive lymph node swelling can be easily identified by its character,
1)Painless.
2)Firm but not hard.
3)slippery when you try to press.
4) Not attached to overlying or underlying skin.
Reactive enlarged lymph nodes do not need any treatment.
So I would suggest you to just check it yourself and observe for any rapid increase in size or appearance of pain.As lymph nodes can get enlarged if there is infection of the area which they drain,so also check whether there is any scalp infection.
I would be glad to answer if you have any further query
Regards.
Don't worry, simply observe for any increase in size or appearance of pain.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
The region you have mentioned is common site for lymph node(occipital lymph node).Lymph nodes are part of the immune system.
The commonest cause of enlargement of a lymph node is reactive(non specific inflammation),the second common cause is infection (lymphadenitis).
The reactive lymph node swelling can be easily identified by its character,
1)Painless.
2)Firm but not hard.
3)slippery when you try to press.
4) Not attached to overlying or underlying skin.
Reactive enlarged lymph nodes do not need any treatment.
So I would suggest you to just check it yourself and observe for any rapid increase in size or appearance of pain.As lymph nodes can get enlarged if there is infection of the area which they drain,so also check whether there is any scalp infection.
I would be glad to answer if you have any further query
Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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