Hi there, A lump in your neck during an ear infection is most commonly an enlarged lymph node. A number of things can cause lymph nodes to become enlarged, but in the vast majority of the time, the cause is an infection. Other causes can be malignancy, but this is much more rare. if the lymph node is tender, it makes malignancy much more unlikely. I d take ibuprofen and use warm compresses on the affected area. If the lymph node gets smaller, I wouldn t worry about it at all. If it continues to be enlarged, hardened and painless, then I would seek out an ultrasound. Again, I d give it a week after your other symptoms resolve before I d start to worry. I hope this answers your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any other questions.