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What Causes Hard Movable Lump Behind Ear?
Hi,
I have a hard non-moveable lump behind my ear on the mastoid bone. It is not painful, and I've had it for as long as I can remember but I was too young to think it was anything to be concerned about. Recently I've noticed that it has gotten a slight bit bigger. I have no idea how long it's been there, as far back as I can remember it was there about 4 years ago too. Im very concerned about this.
I have a hard non-moveable lump behind my ear on the mastoid bone. It is not painful, and I've had it for as long as I can remember but I was too young to think it was anything to be concerned about. Recently I've noticed that it has gotten a slight bit bigger. I have no idea how long it's been there, as far back as I can remember it was there about 4 years ago too. Im very concerned about this.
Tue, 23 Dec 2014
Hello and thanks for your question. It sounds like you have some sebaceous cysts behind your ear. These are common and not concerning. You do need to see a doctor for an exam to make sure that these are what you have.
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Hello,
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concern.
There may be couple of reasons for a hard non-movable lump behind ear.
Most commonly, it can be an enlarge lymph node. It can be slightly painful if pressed. Reason for having enlarged lymph node may be some infection in throat, ear or scalp. You have mentioned that you have this since almost 4 years. If you also have history of dandruff, than the lump is enlarged lymph node due to dandruff in scalp.
If you have any sign of these infection, than treating these infections will cause the lump to vanish.
Other possibility is having a sebaceous cyst or epidermal cyst. But they will be slightly movable with the skin and not very fixed. They can be removed surgically.
One more possibility is having benign tumor like lipoma or cholesteatoma of mastoid bone. Lipoma is again movable along with skin while cholesteatoma is associated with some hearing problem. So, they are less likely.
Hope this will be helpful.
Take care.
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concern.
There may be couple of reasons for a hard non-movable lump behind ear.
Most commonly, it can be an enlarge lymph node. It can be slightly painful if pressed. Reason for having enlarged lymph node may be some infection in throat, ear or scalp. You have mentioned that you have this since almost 4 years. If you also have history of dandruff, than the lump is enlarged lymph node due to dandruff in scalp.
If you have any sign of these infection, than treating these infections will cause the lump to vanish.
Other possibility is having a sebaceous cyst or epidermal cyst. But they will be slightly movable with the skin and not very fixed. They can be removed surgically.
One more possibility is having benign tumor like lipoma or cholesteatoma of mastoid bone. Lipoma is again movable along with skin while cholesteatoma is associated with some hearing problem. So, they are less likely.
Hope this will be helpful.
Take care.
I find this answer helpful
3 Doctors agree with this answer
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