Lump under skin on ear/jawbone-What could it be?

[mrs_mommy]

I'm a 24 year old female-A couple of months ago I woke up with a painful pea to marble sized lump under the skin on my ear. It is located right where my ear connects to my head, on the bottom. Like if I were to pull my earlobe away from my head, it is in that "flap" of skin. Because it was painful and hard, I assumed it was a boil as I have had these in the past. I treated it with warm washclothes and heating pads, but the lump never softened or drained, however, the pain did go away. It is not visible from the outside, it is as if it is truly "inside" my skin. Therefore I have come to the conclussion that it is not a boil. As I mentioned, it has been a couple of months and it has stayed firm. The pain comes and goes, and the "lump" feels larger on days when it is painful.

So is this something to worry about, or has anyone had something like this? I was thinking it could be a swollen gland, but I didn't think glands were present in the ear/jaw area.

[steffnie]

A related discussion, Pea size nodule behind my jaw bone was started.

[mrs_mommy]

Thanks for your help!

The lump is acutally on the front of my ear-It's parallel to my earing, it feels as if is's attached to the inside of my earlobe and the side of my face. It is NOT behind my ear. I have looked at a few "maps" of the body's lymphatic system, and the lump does not appear to be located where a node would be present. It is rock hard and doesn't move.

Also the pain is minimal, and it only hurts once in a while. I've had no other infections, illnesses, or (related) symptoms.

I made an appointment with the DR for tomorrow, just because I'm really curious to find out what it is. Thanks!

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Contrary to your belief, lymph nodes are present behind your ear, the region that connects the ear to your head. They are inflamed or swollen in infections of the ear, sinusitis, dandruff in the head and maybe even in dental abscess and caries. Since the swelling is painful you should consult your PCP and discuss these possibilities with him.

Hope this helps. It is difficult to comment beyond this without examining the swelling. Do let me know if there is any thing else and keep me posted. Take care!