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?

[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.

[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.

[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?

[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.

[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.

[ZR1cliff]

Lump now gone, as of yesterday. Removed with surgery.

[ZR1cliff]

mosc7pc2 said:

And you are going to leave us hanging and not tell us what the lump is?

Surgeon said it was just a fatty lump. They'll stick check it out, although the biopsy had it down as harmless. Also mentioned a gland needed cleaning out ?