Finding a bump behind the ear can be unsettling. Most lumps in this area are harmless. They often result from minor skin conditions or temporary immune responses, which typically resolve without extensive intervention. Understanding the various reasons these bumps can appear helps demystify their presence and guide appropriate action.
Common Benign Bumps
Several non-cancerous growths frequently appear behind the ear. These are generally harmless and often do not require medical treatment unless they cause discomfort or cosmetic concern.
Sebaceous cysts are sacs under the skin, filled with sebum, an oily substance that lubricates skin and hair. These cysts are typically movable, feel smooth, and vary in size from a pea to larger dimensions. They are usually painless unless inflamed or infected. Blocked hair follicles are a common cause.
Lipomas are soft, fatty tumors that grow slowly between the skin and muscle. These benign growths are generally painless, movable, and feel soft or rubbery. While they can occur anywhere on the body where fat cells are present, they are common behind the ear and usually do not require removal unless large or irritating.
Skin tags are small, soft, flesh-colored growths that hang off the skin. They often appear where skin rubs together or in skin folds, including behind the ear. These are typically harmless and painless.
Keloids are raised scars that develop after skin injury, such as from piercings or other trauma. They form when excessive scar tissue builds up, extending beyond the original wound. Keloids can feel firm or rubbery, may be itchy, and vary in color.
Inflammatory and Infectious Causes
Bumps behind the ear can also arise from inflammation or infection. These conditions often present with symptoms like pain, warmth, or redness, indicating an active process.
Swollen lymph nodes, known as postauricular lymph nodes, are a common cause of such bumps. These small, bean-shaped structures are part of the immune system and swell in response to infections in the head, neck, or ear, such as ear infections, strep throat, or common colds. They typically feel tender and movable, usually decreasing in size once the underlying infection clears.
Mastoiditis is a serious bacterial infection affecting the mastoid bone behind the ear. This condition often develops as a complication of an untreated middle ear infection. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and tenderness behind the ear, sometimes causing the ear to stick out. Fever, ear pain, and discharge can also occur, requiring prompt medical attention.
Boils and abscesses are painful, pus-filled lumps caused by bacterial infections of hair follicles or sebaceous glands. These can appear as red, warm, and tender bumps behind the ear. Such infections often require medical drainage and antibiotics.
Other Less Common Reasons
While less common, other conditions can also lead to a bump behind the ear. These range from other types of cysts to rare growths, which may present differently.
Cysts originating from the ear canal can manifest as a bump behind the ear if large or protruding. These fluid-filled sacs develop in oil-producing glands or from dead skin cells, and while often benign, they can become infected or inflamed. Cholesteatomas, for instance, are non-cancerous skin growths behind the eardrum that can cause a bump if they expand significantly. They can also lead to hearing issues and require medical intervention.
Benign tumors, though rare, can also occur in the temporal bone behind the ear. Examples include osteomas, which are slow-growing, hard, and typically painless bone tumors. These are distinct from skin-related bumps and usually do not cause problems unless they grow large enough to affect surrounding structures.
Malignant tumors, or cancers, are very rare causes of bumps behind the ear. These might include skin cancers that develop on the outer ear and spread, or cancers originating in the temporal bone. Such lumps are typically firm, fixed, and may have an irregular shape. While possible, this is far less common than benign or inflammatory causes, and typically accompanied by other concerning symptoms.
When to Consult a Doctor
While many bumps behind the ear are harmless and resolve on their own, certain characteristics and symptoms warrant medical evaluation. Seeking professional advice ensures an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Consult a doctor if the bump is painful, red, warm to the touch, or rapidly increasing in size. These signs can indicate an infection or inflammation requiring treatment.
Medical attention is also recommended if the bump is accompanied by fever, chills, ear discharge, changes in hearing, or a general feeling of unwellness. These symptoms suggest a systemic issue or spreading infection.
If the bump feels hard, is fixed, or has an irregular shape, it should be evaluated. Any bump that persists for more than a few weeks without improvement, or causes ongoing concern, should prompt a visit to a healthcare provider.