Swelling under the ear lobe by Jaw joint.

[ZR1cliff]

For the past year to eighteen months I've had a small puffy pronounced bulge, just to the rear of my jaw joint, under the ear lobe, on the right hand side.

I haven't bothered to go to the doctors as there was no pain. Just lately, in the last couple of weeks, I can feel a firm swelling behind the skin of this puffy area. Almost feels like a tube that is swelling.

The left hand side is ok. Is it anything to bother a doctor with?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

The answer is always yes.

[IanMorewood]

Get to the doctors, no one can diagnose what it could be over the web. Expect blood test at the doctors and a referral to ENT PDQ.

[pad58]

From your discribtion It's the same thing I had in my 30s.
It will get bigger and you must go to the docs, I was in and out the hospital after my surgery (leaves a manly scar)after 4 days.
Just go to the doctors.

[ZR1cliff]

OK thanks for your answers, I'll make an appointment tomorrow. Reading up on it, it looks like it could be anything from an infection to something serious.

[BlackVanDyke]

Might involve epic pus worthy of YouTube. Might be joint related. Might be anything really but the only thing it probably isn't is ignorable.

Is the skin normal skin colour over the bump? When I had an abscess the skin eventually went all weirdly pale over it.

[Driller]

As mentioned get to the docs ffs, this could even be tuberculosis which presents sometimes with neck abscesses.

Probably isn't but you know...

[BlackVanDyke]

Driller said:

As mentioned get to the docs ffs, this could even be tuberculosis which presents sometimes with neck abscesses.

Probably isn't but you know...

I shouldn't have googled that.

[mu0n]

It's probably a sebaceous cyst: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebaceous_cyst

I get outbreaks of them in my earlobes a lot and my friend had one on his neck for ages.

But if you're worried I'd get it checked. I try and pop my cysts when I get them... I'm just glad I've never had one get infected! Ew.

[IanMorewood]

My neck lump turned out to be a branchial cyst, you probably don't want to google that either. End result neck opened up under a general, golf ball sized lump of gristle removed along with a bucket full of goo (It got infected after they took a biopsy). Given the location you mention though make sure you get a surgeon who knows what they are doing you wouldn't want a lopsided face if they damage the nerves.

[ZR1cliff]

mu0n said:

It's probably a sebaceous cyst: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sebaceous_cyst

I get outbreaks of them in my earlobes a lot and my friend had one on his neck for ages.

But if you're worried I'd get it checked. I try and pop my cysts when I get them... I'm just glad I've never had one get infected! Ew.

Now you mention it, for years i have a little bag that comes up in my ear lobe sometimes. I can feel it if I squeeze the lobe and pop it, producing a colourless fluid. Then it will come up maybe a year later. Maybe there's a link?

Update; Have been to the doctors' walk in surgery and he inspected the lump and prescribed me some anti biotics to see if it brings the swelling down. He also sent me to a local hospital for a blood test, which I have also done this morning.

The Anti biotic course is for seven days and I've been asked to book a return appointment with the doc in ten days.

[ZR1cliff]

By the way, thankyou all for your concerns and pointers.

[SunDiver]

IANAD but any lumps in your neck that hang around are always worth checking out. Very likely something readily fixable but there's a rare chance it's something serious. You tonsillar / parotid lymph nodes are near to what you describe. Most likely it's no big deal, but it's always worth checking out just to be sure.

Always "trouble" doctors with lumps/bumps - that's what they're there for.

Good luck with the blood test!...

Edited by SunDiver on Wednesday 3rd April 21:22

[StevieBee]

If a cyst, this may put things into perspective (avoid watching if you're having your tea!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEeMJgV75nQ

[ZR1cliff]

Went to the doctors for the Blood test results and to check things. Blood test turned out OK and it looks like it could be down to a minor mouth infection.

As a matter of interest, what do they check for in a blood test?

[GWC]

They do a cell count to look for anomolies.

[IanMorewood]

You went to the docs they did a blood test and you didn't ask what they where checking for?




Yes this blood is RED so its ok.

[ZR1cliff]

IanMorewood said:

You went to the docs they did a blood test and you didn't ask what they where checking for?




Yes this blood is RED so its ok.

I take it they check it for everything.

I just want to know what that is.

[IanMorewood]

Standard test would be a CBC which gives an indication of your general health and can detect glandular fever and leukemia, however they may have done other tests too. As I said in my first post chances are your going to the ENT clinic at some point in the next month or so for a bit of probing.

[ZR1cliff]

UPDATE............In the last few weeks I've been to the hospital for a check at the oral Dept, who sent me for an Xray. The Xray showed up nothing sinister and they made an appointment for Ultra sound.

Went back to the ultra sound this morning and it showed up some sort of benign growth. As they had a cancelled appointment I was offered the chance of having a sample of the growth taken straight away, which I agreed. Saves going back next week. After cleaning and numbing the area they made a hole and used a big needle, carefully, to take three samples of the tissue. There was quite a lot of blood but I was out and done in an hour.

They did explain, if the growth was left it could affect the nerves. I'm now waiting for the results and removal of the growth.