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ball in my ear

by Dr. Joyce Kessler I Published 4 years ago Updated 3 years ago

An ear lump is a protuberance or localized area of swelling that can occur anywhere on the ear. Other terms used to describe the various types of lumps include bump, nodule, tumor and cyst. Lumps can be caused by any number of conditions, including infections, inflammation, tumors or trauma.

Full Answer

Why do I have a lump behind my ear?

What Causes Swollen Lymph Nodes Behind the Ear?

  1. Infections. Bacterial, fungal, or viral infections like mononucleosis can cause a lump behind the ear. ...
  2. Acute or Blunt Force Injuries. Swelling behind the ear can be a result of a blow behind the ear. ...
  3. Autoimmune Disorders. ...
  4. Cancer. ...
  5. German Measles. ...
  6. Tooth Abscess. ...
  7. An Allergic Reaction. ...
  8. Influenza A or B and Rhino Virus. ...
  9. Strep Throat. ...
  10. Lipoma. ...

How to get rid of Pimple behind ear?

  • Cold compresses – If your painful ear pimple is also swollen, cold compresses will be important
  • Tomato juice – Works as astringent and it has lots of antioxidants. ...
  • Garlic – Has healing and antibacterial properties
  • Aloe vera – helps in wound healing and reducing skin inflammation

More items...

What causes bumps behind the ear?

Lump Behind Ear Causes and Signs and Symptoms

  1. Keloids. A lump or bump behind your ear might be a keloid. ...
  2. Acne Vulgaris. Acne vulgaris is a skin condition characterized by comedones ( whiteheads and blackheads), pimples or zits (papules and pustules) cysts and nodules and an oily skin.
  3. Pimple. ...
  4. Cyst. ...
  5. Abscess. ...
  6. Lipoma. ...
  7. Tumor. ...
  8. Mastoiditis. ...
  9. Infections. ...
  10. Physical Injury. ...

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What is the big bump behind the ear?

Lumps behind the ear have a number of different causes and can come in a variety of different types. Lump behind ear is formed as a result of the swelling of glands called auricular lymph nodes. The swelling can be caused due to a skin or ear infection or can be because of a cold or a sore throat.

How do you get rid of a hard ball in your ear?

When necessary or desired, treatment usually involves removing the cyst with a simple cut and local anesthetic. Surgical removal may also prevent a cyst from reforming. Otherwise, a doctor can make a small cut in the cyst and drain the contents. This option is quick and simple, but cysts are more likely to return.

Is it normal to have a ball in your earlobe?

Earlobe cysts are more common in middle-aged individuals. Since they are benign (noncancerous) and don't cause any pain, treatment is not always needed. Doctors advise avoiding popping them because doing so increases the risk of infection and scarring.

What is a pebble cyst?

Cysts are a common skin condition which appear in the form of noncancerous, closed pockets of tissue that is usually filled with fluid, pus, blood or other material. These ailments can occur anywhere on the body and are often extremely hard to the touch, much like a pebble or large pea trapped under the skin.

Can I pop an earlobe cyst?

Cysts form from keratin becoming trapped near a hair follicle or blocked skin duct under the skin. The problem with attempting to pop a sebaceous cyst is that it will likely refill because sebaceous cysts have an entire wall. Removing this wall, or sac, will prevent it from coming back.

Small hard ball in earlobe showed up within two days.i have my ears pierced, but it's not on the piercing. it hurts when i touch it. is this a cyst?

Acne: Usually this is acne deep in the skin. A dermatologist might inject cortisone to shrink it and reduce inflammation.

I have a lump in my earlobe, more like a small hard ball, there is no pain what can it be?

Cyst?: It is not uncommon to develop a cyst in the ear, scalp or neck. They are usually benign and do not cause a problem. Still to be sure you would have ... Read More

I have a small hard ball inside one of my ear lobes and i have my ears pierced, i want to know what it could possibly be and how to get rid of it ?

Ear Cysts: Benign cysts, such as sebaceous cysts, can develop on the earlobe, resulting in pain or discomfort. According to the national library of medicine, seb... Read More

I had a pimple on my earlobe a few weeks back so i popped it but after a week or so, i noticed a had a small ball in my earlobe, im 16, help!

Earlobe pimple: Hello, i think you have caused a small folliculitis to become an infectious cystic pustule. The popping caused an inflammatory cystic reaction within ... Read More

I have a small ball like under skin lump between the back of my earlobe crease where it meets my neck. what could this be? underskin pimple?

Possible cyst: Many things could cause a lump in this area including pimple, sebaceous cyst, lymph node. Probably benign but should have it examined, and if enlar... Read More

19 yr old daughter has a painful lump inside her earlobe. it feels like a little ball and very painful when touched. can't be moved, feels hard

Lump: She may have a granuloma or bump secondary to having had infected ear ring site. The resulting healing process resulted in a lump of scar tissue.

I have a golf ball sized, hard, fixed, non painful lump in my neck underneath my earlobe. it does not protrude but can be felt when u touch my neck

That's not good: The normal hard lumps in the neck are bones, which are symmetrical (left side is the same as right side). Any other newly-found hard lump should be ev... Read More

Question

Never had my ears pierced but there is a little lump of hard cartilage in both of my ear lobes. What are they? Something to be concerned about?

Answer

You are definitely on the right track to mention ear piercings, because small lumps in the ear lobes are extremely common in the ear lobes of those who have had ear piercings, where they most likely represent harmless little balls of scar tissue.

Need more info?

Zocdoc Answers is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor (in the United States) 911 immediately. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment.

What does it mean when you have a lump in your ear?

A lump in front of the ear can be painful. If you have a lump, it’s important to get it looked at. New lumps anywhere on the body may be a sign of a benign tumor or cancer. Treatment ranges from over-the-counter pain relievers to surgical removal, radiation, and chemotherapy depending on the cause of the lump. 1.

What causes a lump in the front of the ear?

They include: Warts. Tuberculosis.

Why is my ear bump swollen?

If the bump in the ear is a swollen lymph node, the lymph node itself is not infected. It is swollen because there is an infection somewhere in the ear or the mouth. The lymph nodes in front of the ear drain this area of the body. —Dr. Lauren Levy

What is the treatment for a cyst in the ear?

Incision and drainage (cutting the lump open) is the treatment for an inflamed cyst. Surgery is for removing both benign (lipomas, cysts) and malignant (cancer) growths in front of the ear and other areas of the body.

What is a small bump on the side of the face called?

Small pink or red bump. White pus, yellow-white keratin (whitehead), or black keratin (blackhead) in the center. May have pain. Pimples are also called comedones, spots, blemishes, acne, or zits. They are small pockets in the skin filled with dead skin cells, bacteria, oil, and white blood cells (the cause of pus).

What does it mean when you have a lump in your ear?

In some cases, an ear lump may occur with other symptoms, which might indicate a serious or life-threatening condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of the following symptoms:

Why do I have a lump in my ear?

Ear lumps can be caused by exostoses and osteomas, which are types of tumors that grow in the bones of the ear canal. An ear lump and tenderness in the bone behind your ear, along with pain and swelling, could indicate mastoiditis (infection of the mastoid bone). Ear lumps due to local infectious causes may appear as boils or abscesses.

What is a benign cyst in the ear?

Sebaceous cysts are benign lumps filled with pus, dead skin cells, and excess oil. Ear lumps caused by infection, inflammation or trauma are usually temporary and subside as the underlying condition resolves. Ear lumps that persist or continue to grow over time may signal more serious conditions, such as tumors.

What causes ear lumps?

An infection may produce one or more ear lumps, which may represent localized abscesses or enlarged lymph nodes. Infectious causes of lumps include: Abscesses. Boils. Herpes virus infections. Mononucleosis (a viral infection) Mumps (a viral infection of the salivary glands in the neck)

What does it mean when you feel like a lump?

Both benign and malignant tumors of the skin, soft tissues, or organs can sometimes feel like lumps. In these cases, either a biopsy or surgical removal of the lump can determine whether cancer is present. Cysts, which are fluid-filled, sac-like structures that can form in various parts of the body, often feel like lumps.

What are the symptoms of a lump in the ear?

An ear lump may be accompanied by other localized symptoms including: Itching. Pus or discharge. Redness, warmth or swelling. Tenderness or pain.

Can ear cancer cause a lump in the ear?

Ear lumps caused by cancer may have life-threatening consequences, which depend on the type and stage (extent) of the cancer. Left untreated, ear lumps due to abscesses or serious infections may lead to widespread infection in the body.

What is a lump in the earlobe?

The lump in earlobe is a localized swelling or bump that could be anywhere on the ear. Nodule, cyst, or tumor are other words to describe the bump. The lump could be caused by many factors. Some examples are inflammation, infections, and trauma ( 1 ). They vary in sizes.

How to tell if earlobe is lumpy?

How to Identify Lump in the Earlobe. The lumps in earlobe are the sacs filled with dead skin cells. The size of the bumps is small and smooth. They are not larger than a pea, but you need to get them checked if they change in size.

What are some examples of injury to the earlobe?

Some examples of injury to the earlobe are unsanitary instruments, insect stings/ bites, cuts, and scratches. Trauma can cause a lump as the skin heals on its own. A lump immediately appears with insect stings or bites. Unsterilized piercing needles and dirty earrings can also cause bumps on earlobes.

What are the symptoms of a swollen ear?

Below the some localized, non-threatening symptom: 1 Itching 2 Pain or tenderness 3 Pus or discharge 4 Redness, swelling, or warmth

Can antibiotics be taken with otitis externa?

Antibiotic pills are ideal for swelling, little ear bumps, or pimples. An exception is for a condition called otitis externa. This situation requires corticosteroid ear drops.

Can you get an infection from earrings?

People can develop an allergic reaction to certain metals or material. An allergic reaction can be the case when it comes to earrings. The lump that emerges from an allergic reaction is not always a sign of an infection. It is the body’s natural histamine response to the metal or material.

What is a cyst in the earlobe?

What is an earlobe cyst? It’s common to develop bumps on and around your earlobe called cysts. They are similar in appearance to pimples, but they are different. Some cysts don’t need treatment. If the cyst causes pain, or doesn’t go away, you should seek the help of a medical professional.

How to tell if you have an earlobe cyst?

How to identify an earlobe cyst. Earlobe cysts are saclike lumps made of dead skin cells. They look like small, smooth bumps under the skin, similar to a blemish. They vary slightly in color from matching your skin pigmentation to red. Usually they are no bigger than the size of a pea. But you should watch them to see if they change in size.

What causes earlobe cysts?

An earlobe cyst is also known as an epidermoid cyst. These occur when epidermis cells that should have been shed get deeper into your skin and multiply. These cells form the walls of the cyst and secrete keratin, which fills up the cyst. Damaged hair follicles or oil glands can cause them.

What to do if your ears grow and you lose hearing?

If they grow and begin to cause pain or even a slight loss of hearing, you should immediately make an appointment with your doctor to discuss treatment options. Last medically reviewed on March 13, 2017.

Do headphones feel bigger than peas?

Usually they are no bigger than the size of a pea. But you should watch them to see if they change in size. They are almost always benign and should cause no problems other than being a minor cosmetic issue or small distraction. For example, it can feel uncomfortable if your headphones rub against it.

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