Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Painful Small Lump On The Back Of My Neck?
Question: I have a small lump on the back of my neck, right near my hair line on the left side, I noticed it yesterday and now today the left side of my head feels like a faint headache, my eyes feel like they want to just close and the pain comes and goes down the left side of my back. I'm a 31 year old female, that does smoke about 6 cigarettes a day and has a drink once a day, please help me, is this anything I should be majorly concerned about?
Brief Answer:
could be sebaceous cyst or lymph node swelling
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing to HCM .
According to the history you have provided it could be either sebaceous cyst or lymph node swelling.
Once the swelling increase which cause overlying skin to stretch leading to pain. This might precipitate your migraine. That could be likely cause of your headache.
I would suggest that you show it to a surgeon for a clinical examination, to help reach a diagnisis and subsequent management. But to me it doesn't looks like a major issue to be worried.
Hope I have been helpful.
Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil
could be sebaceous cyst or lymph node swelling
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing to HCM .
According to the history you have provided it could be either sebaceous cyst or lymph node swelling.
Once the swelling increase which cause overlying skin to stretch leading to pain. This might precipitate your migraine. That could be likely cause of your headache.
I would suggest that you show it to a surgeon for a clinical examination, to help reach a diagnisis and subsequent management. But to me it doesn't looks like a major issue to be worried.
Hope I have been helpful.
Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
How long should the lump last if it's nothing to be worried about? I don't want to make an appt if it'll just go away on it's own and it's nothing like a tumor or cancerous. I've had swollen lymph nodes before but on my throat and ears never behind my neck near the hair line which caused a headache
Brief Answer:
depends on diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The duration of lump depends on diagnosis. If it is sebaceous cyst then it won't go by itself.
If it is lymph node it should subscide once infection is controlled following intake of antibiotics.
I would suggest you take a course of antibiotics . If it subscides well and good otherwise you need to show doctor to come to a diagnosis.
It doesn't look like cancer condition due to short duration of onset and at your age cancer is less likely and not thought as first diagnosis.
Hope I have answered your query . If no further queries are there you can close the discussion and rate the response
Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil
depends on diagnosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The duration of lump depends on diagnosis. If it is sebaceous cyst then it won't go by itself.
If it is lymph node it should subscide once infection is controlled following intake of antibiotics.
I would suggest you take a course of antibiotics . If it subscides well and good otherwise you need to show doctor to come to a diagnosis.
It doesn't look like cancer condition due to short duration of onset and at your age cancer is less likely and not thought as first diagnosis.
Hope I have answered your query . If no further queries are there you can close the discussion and rate the response
Regards
Dr.Deepika Patil
Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
