Aa
Cyst/Lymph Node? Behind ear. Frustrated.
Ok, first and foremost, here's a picture of what I'm talking about so you have an idea: http://i.imgur.com/hvoxtfN.jpg?1
(Admittedly, that picture makes it look much worse than it actually is, because (a) I took it with my iPhone which makes it look blurry, and (b) my freckle makes it look spotted.)
About maybe a month ago, a hard little pimple appeared behind my left earlobe, on the flap of skin that connect it to my head. I left it alone, thinking that it would go away. Well, I must have irritated it beyond all reason, because it is now a fairly big-ish lump. It's a little squishy. It's a little flaky because I've been putting tea tree oil on it, which made it dry and a little red. Also I touch it ALL THE TIME, which I'm sure is doing it no good. I went to Prime Care and the general practitioner kind of had no idea what she was doing. I told her I thought the pimple must have turned into a cyst, but she said it might be a lymph node. At this point I began to have a panic attack, because I'm a gay man and anything that might be remotely related to HIV scares the crap out of me. I always use a condom when I have sex, and I have literally been in perfect health since before and after the pimple developed. I have experienced NO fevers, NO headaches, NOR lack of appetite. No flu-like symptoms, either. Just this ridiculous lump behind my ear. I have no other lumps or anything like it on any other part of my body. Can someone PLEASE tell me what this is? It's driving me nuts, and I'm so tempted to just prick it with a needle to deflate it.
(Admittedly, that picture makes it look much worse than it actually is, because (a) I took it with my iPhone which makes it look blurry, and (b) my freckle makes it look spotted.)
About maybe a month ago, a hard little pimple appeared behind my left earlobe, on the flap of skin that connect it to my head. I left it alone, thinking that it would go away. Well, I must have irritated it beyond all reason, because it is now a fairly big-ish lump. It's a little squishy. It's a little flaky because I've been putting tea tree oil on it, which made it dry and a little red. Also I touch it ALL THE TIME, which I'm sure is doing it no good. I went to Prime Care and the general practitioner kind of had no idea what she was doing. I told her I thought the pimple must have turned into a cyst, but she said it might be a lymph node. At this point I began to have a panic attack, because I'm a gay man and anything that might be remotely related to HIV scares the crap out of me. I always use a condom when I have sex, and I have literally been in perfect health since before and after the pimple developed. I have experienced NO fevers, NO headaches, NOR lack of appetite. No flu-like symptoms, either. Just this ridiculous lump behind my ear. I have no other lumps or anything like it on any other part of my body. Can someone PLEASE tell me what this is? It's driving me nuts, and I'm so tempted to just prick it with a needle to deflate it.
Thank you! Yes, the doctor did prescribe me an antibiotic and told me to apply a hot compress... I suppose I haven't done the latter enough. Just a bit of a hassle. Thank you, anyway.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I have not viewed your image but it appears you are describing a superficial abscess or infected cyst. I certainly cannot diagnose you though.
In my patients, I have them apply a hot pack to it ever 2-4 hrs to try to get it to drain and apply bacitracin.
I suggest you request a referral to a general surgeon who can perform a simple procedure to open and drain it if it is an abscess or at least confirm it to be a lymph node.
I hope this helps!
In my patients, I have them apply a hot pack to it ever 2-4 hrs to try to get it to drain and apply bacitracin.
I suggest you request a referral to a general surgeon who can perform a simple procedure to open and drain it if it is an abscess or at least confirm it to be a lymph node.
I hope this helps!
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