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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Sore Knots On The Scalp?

Hi I have around 3 or 4 knots on my scalp that vary in size and sometimes swell. They are under the skin and are fairly hard often not usually painful. Time to time they become sore. I have been to a dermatologist in the past who brushed off my concern for them. What started out as 2 has now became 5. I was thinking they maybe some form of a cyst or calcium build up? Not sure and have had at least two of them for at least the last 5 years. Just wondering if there is cause for concern. Thanks.
Mon, 30 Mar 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your history carefully.
The knots on the scalp appears to be lymph nodes rather than cyst or calcium deposits because cyst can not come and go like this & they are often not very hard. Calcium deposits also do not happen on scalp.
You have not exactly mentioned where they are occurring. If they are in occipital area & behind ears then they should be lymph nodes mostly. Enlarged lymph node in scalp can happen due to infection of scalp like dandruff, infection in ear or throat, lice in scalp, etc.
They are generally benign and not a reason to worry as they resolve once the cause is treated.
Hope this will be helpful.
Take care.
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What Causes Sore Knots On The Scalp?

Hello, Welcome to HCM. I have read your history carefully. The knots on the scalp appears to be lymph nodes rather than cyst or calcium deposits because cyst can not come and go like this & they are often not very hard. Calcium deposits also do not happen on scalp. You have not exactly mentioned where they are occurring. If they are in occipital area & behind ears then they should be lymph nodes mostly. Enlarged lymph node in scalp can happen due to infection of scalp like dandruff, infection in ear or throat, lice in scalp, etc. They are generally benign and not a reason to worry as they resolve once the cause is treated. Hope this will be helpful. Take care.