Lump behind the ear: Causes and remedies

Sometimes small lumps appear on the back of our ears, causing discomfort or itching. Lumps behind the ear can be the result of inflammation or infection. In certain conditions like mastoiditis, middle ear infections or mumps, ear lumps are often associated with pain. In this article, you'll learn all there is to know about lumps behind the ear. If you'd like to find out more about your hearing health, please consult a hearing care professional at Miracle-Ear. 

Why do I have a lump behind my ear? Possible causes

In most cases, lumps behind the ears are harmless. They are rarely a sign of a dangerous or life-threatening problem. Several conditions can cause knots, bumps, or lumps behind the ears, including:

When shoud you be worried about a lump behind the ear?

Although most lumps behind the ear are completely harmless and will go away in a few weeks without treatment, you should see a doctor if any of the following occur:

• The lump remains unchanged after 2-3 weeks;
• The lump is painful or oozing;
• The lump appears suddenly;
• The swelling increases in size or shape;
• The lump does not move or is in a "fixed" position behind the ear;
• Other symptoms such as fever, malaise, or weight loss are present.

Your doctor will usually diagnose the lump through a simple exam and prescribe treatment, such as antibiotics, if needed. Occasionally, a lump may require further investigation or imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRIs.

How to get rid of a lump behind the ear: Treatment options

Treatment depends on the cause of the lump behind the ear:

• Abscess: Some abscesses require simple drainage to remove pus, while others are more complicated and may need to be treated with surgery. Surgical procedures are more likely to include antibiotics due to the chances of infection;
  
• Sebaceous cysts: The sebaceous glands produce fluids and sometimes become blocked, thus creating cysts. Most require no treatment, but if they cause soreness or swelling, you should see a doctor;
• Acne: Most cases can be treated with topical remedies, but for some people acne can be severe and may require specific approaches applied and monitored by a dermatologist;
• Dermatitis: Lotions or creams are often recommended to help with itching and discomfort. Antifungal agents may also be suggested if there is a yeast infection;
• Swollen lymph nodes: In this case, the underlying cause of the swelling is treated. This could mean that antibiotics or a biopsy may be needed;
• Mastoiditis: This must be treated immediately with antibiotics, and in some situations, a procedure is needed to drain the middle ear or remove part of the mastoid bone;
• Otitis media: This middle ear infection often clears up on its own within 48 hours. With recurrent otitis media, an ear tube is used to drain fluid from the middle ear;
• Malignant cancer: These growths can be treated with chemotherapy or radiation. The specific treatment depends on the type of cancer and its stage.