Hi for the past 5 days, i feel a lump on my neck just under the jaw (right side) and i also get constant ear aches. Before I noticed the lump i got a sore throat for a week. I worried that it may be something serious. I went to a general physician and told her about my ear aches and told me my left ear is just inflammed but that wa sbefore i noticed the lump.17, male, 68kg
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 rarer. 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.