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What Causes Tender Lump Behind Ear?
Question: I have a weird crusted over mark behind my ear. Its a pretty big lump. About the size of a quarter and its tender. A bit lower on my neck i also have a tender lymph node. I was wondering what this might be.
Brief Answer:
Bacterial skin infection; oral and topical antibiotic for a week
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone tgrough your query and I have also reviewed the image.
Seems like a bacterial skin infection with enlargement of draining lymph node.
If I was the treating doctor I would suggest a course of an Oral Antibiotic for a week.
My choice would either Amoxicillin 500mg Or Cephalexin 500mg, thrice daily, for a week.
Topicakly I would ask you to apply an antibiotic e.g 2% mupirocin ointment twice daily for a week.
Regards
Bacterial skin infection; oral and topical antibiotic for a week
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone tgrough your query and I have also reviewed the image.
Seems like a bacterial skin infection with enlargement of draining lymph node.
If I was the treating doctor I would suggest a course of an Oral Antibiotic for a week.
My choice would either Amoxicillin 500mg Or Cephalexin 500mg, thrice daily, for a week.
Topicakly I would ask you to apply an antibiotic e.g 2% mupirocin ointment twice daily for a week.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your answer. Would a cream antibiotic be good enough or would i absolutly need a round of oral antibiotics. I only ask since i recently took antibiotics a couple months ago and would love to avoid it if at all possible. Also is there a common cause for this ot things i can avoid in the future so this does not happen?
Brief Answer:
I would suggest both oral as well as topical antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
This seems like a deeper infection and is also asssociated with regional lymph nide enlargement in draining area therefore I think oral antibiotics in combination with topical antibacterial cream would be more effective in resolving this infection faster as compared to using a topical antibacterial alone. Sweating, heat and humidity, rubbing of shirt collar etc could have probably caused it. It seems just like a one off episode. No specific precautions.
Regards
I would suggest both oral as well as topical antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
This seems like a deeper infection and is also asssociated with regional lymph nide enlargement in draining area therefore I think oral antibiotics in combination with topical antibacterial cream would be more effective in resolving this infection faster as compared to using a topical antibacterial alone. Sweating, heat and humidity, rubbing of shirt collar etc could have probably caused it. It seems just like a one off episode. No specific precautions.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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