Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Do Lumps Behind The Ear Indicate?
Question: My toddler has 3 lumps behind is ear and no other symptoms. I am a huge worrier so I decided to try this online forum. Any ideas of what it could be?
He does not have a fever or any other symptoms.
The only other thing I can think of is he had a nasty bug bite on his back this week, not sure what kind of insect.
He does not have a fever or any other symptoms.
The only other thing I can think of is he had a nasty bug bite on his back this week, not sure what kind of insect.
Brief Answer:
Probably related to an inflammatory reaction!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these lumps that you have reported and the troubling thoughts this must have caused you. These lumps represent swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are like check points in the body that fight multiple aggression. There are several reasons for which they can be increased in size. The most comon cause of this are infections, inflammatory reactions, etc.
From the information you have provided, these glands must have increase in size following the bug bite your child suffered recently on the back. I am pretty sure this bite was close to the head and neck area and because they share some check point lymph nodes together, this led to their involvement and because of their superficial location, they are palpable. Many more lymph nodes must have been involved as well but, because of their deep seated nature in the body, you cannot feel them.
The most common fear of others about swollen glands is that they may represent cancer. Nothing suggests that at this point. Swollen glands that represent cancer develop over a long period of time, are bigger in size, never cause pain, hard, cannot be moved, etc. This is not what your child has.
In all, this is probably caused by an inflammatory reaction caused by the bug bite he suffered recently. There is no reason to seek for further medical intervention right now. They would slowly regress with time and disappear eventually. This is not representative of a cancer.
I hope this helps. I wish your son well. I hope your worries have been relieved as well. Thank you so much for using our services an please feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Probably related to an inflammatory reaction!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about these lumps that you have reported and the troubling thoughts this must have caused you. These lumps represent swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are like check points in the body that fight multiple aggression. There are several reasons for which they can be increased in size. The most comon cause of this are infections, inflammatory reactions, etc.
From the information you have provided, these glands must have increase in size following the bug bite your child suffered recently on the back. I am pretty sure this bite was close to the head and neck area and because they share some check point lymph nodes together, this led to their involvement and because of their superficial location, they are palpable. Many more lymph nodes must have been involved as well but, because of their deep seated nature in the body, you cannot feel them.
The most common fear of others about swollen glands is that they may represent cancer. Nothing suggests that at this point. Swollen glands that represent cancer develop over a long period of time, are bigger in size, never cause pain, hard, cannot be moved, etc. This is not what your child has.
In all, this is probably caused by an inflammatory reaction caused by the bug bite he suffered recently. There is no reason to seek for further medical intervention right now. They would slowly regress with time and disappear eventually. This is not representative of a cancer.
I hope this helps. I wish your son well. I hope your worries have been relieved as well. Thank you so much for using our services an please feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
