Discovering a small bump on the back of your neck can be unsettling. While most neck bumps are not harmful, this article explores various causes, from common benign conditions to those warranting medical attention.
Common Benign Bumps
Many bumps on the back of the neck are harmless and non-cancerous. One common type is a lipoma, a soft, movable fatty lump that grows slowly between the skin and muscle. These are generally painless unless they grow large enough to press on nerves. Another frequent occurrence is a sebaceous cyst, resulting from blocked oil glands in the skin, which can feel firm and might have a small dark spot (punctum) on its surface.
Skin tags are small, soft growths that can appear where skin rubs against skin or clothing, including the neck. They are typically flesh-colored or slightly darker. Muscle knots, also known as myofascial trigger points, can also form in the neck due to muscle fibers continually contracting. These knots feel like hard, sensitive bumps and can cause localized pain or discomfort that sometimes radiates to the head or shoulders.
Inflammatory and Infectious Causes
Bumps on the neck can be a sign of the body fighting off infection or inflammation. Swollen lymph nodes are a common cause, appearing as tender, painful lumps in the neck, often in response to infections like a cold, sore throat, or ear infection. These lymph nodes are part of the immune system and swell as they work to filter out germs and damaged cells.
Folliculitis, an inflammation of hair follicles, can lead to small, red, tender bumps resembling pimples if hair follicles on the back of the neck become infected. More serious infections can lead to an abscess, a pus-filled lump that can be red, warm, and very tender. These can develop when an infection spreads deep into tissues or lymph nodes.
Less Common or Concerning Bumps
While most neck lumps are benign, some can be more serious. Less common causes include benign tumors, such as neurofibromas, which are non-cancerous growths on nerves. Some congenital cysts, like branchial cleft cysts or thyroglossal duct cysts, may also present as neck masses, sometimes becoming apparent in adulthood.
In rare instances, a neck lump might indicate a malignant growth, such as head and neck cancers or lymphoma. These lumps may feel firm or fixed and tend to persist or slowly grow. Though serious causes are far less common than benign or infectious ones, medical evaluation is important for any persistent or unusual lump.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Seek medical advice for a neck bump if certain warning signs are present. A lump that persists for more than two to three weeks without resolving, or one that continues to grow, warrants evaluation. Other concerning features include a lump that feels hard, fixed, or immovable, or one that is larger than 1.5 to 2 centimeters.
Symptoms accompanying the bump that should prompt a doctor’s visit include unexplained weight loss, fever, night sweats, or difficulty swallowing or speaking. Changes in the skin over the lump, such as redness, warmth, or ulceration, are also important to note.
Navigating a Doctor’s Visit
When visiting a doctor for a neck bump, the process typically begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination. The doctor will ask about the lump’s duration, any associated symptoms, and your overall health. They will then carefully feel the lump, assessing its size, consistency, and mobility.
Further diagnostic tests may be recommended. An ultrasound is often an initial imaging choice, as it is painless and provides detailed images of the lump and surrounding structures. If more information is needed, a CT scan or MRI might be performed to visualize the mass in greater detail. A fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, where a small sample of cells is taken from the lump, is a common procedure to check for cancerous cells. Based on these findings, your doctor will discuss the diagnosis and appropriate management options, which could range from observation to medication or surgical removal.