Paranoid About a Bump Behind My Ear? Find Out What It Could Be!

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a participant's concern about a sudden bump that appeared behind their ear, exploring potential causes and implications. The conversation includes various hypotheses about the nature of the bump, ranging from common skin conditions to more unusual and humorous speculations about bugs and infections.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests the bump could be a deep skin pimple that may eventually surface, while others propose it might be a boil or carbuncle.
  • Some participants humorously speculate about the possibility of bugs laying eggs behind the ear, referencing mind-controlling wasps, although this is met with skepticism.
  • Concerns are raised about the potential seriousness of the bump, with suggestions to see a doctor for a professional opinion.
  • Another participant shares a personal experience of a similar bump that resolved on its own, attributing it to hygiene issues.
  • There are mentions of swollen lymph nodes as a possible explanation, particularly in relation to infections or bug bites.
  • Some participants express frustration with previous medical experiences, indicating a reluctance to seek professional help despite acknowledging the need for it.
  • Advice is given to avoid self-treatment methods like using a knife to pop the bump, highlighting the risk of infection.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of the bump, with multiple competing views presented. While some suggest it is likely benign, others emphasize the importance of medical evaluation.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the lack of definitive medical knowledge among participants, reliance on personal anecdotes, and varying degrees of concern about the bump's seriousness.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals experiencing similar symptoms or those interested in discussions about health-related concerns and the importance of seeking medical advice may find this thread relevant.

Topher925
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So, last weekend I woke up with this bump behind my ear. Its something that wasn't there the day before and literally just sort of appeared overnight. I figured it was just a deep skin pimple or something and I should just let it surface and pop it or wait for it to go away. However, it hasn't surface and it doesn't hurt anymore like it originally did so I'm starting to think it may not be a pimple at all.

I live on the ground floor of an apartment complex and since the weathers been getting warmer I've been getting a lot of bug traffic. The fact that I have bushes right outside both my windows doesn't really help matters. After seeing Evo's videos of mind controlling wasp larva, I got to thinking that what if its not a zit? What if some bug dug a hole behind my ear and laid some eggs that will hatch into mind controlling larva? Do bugs like this exist in Michigan? Is there anyway way to figure out what it is before I lose my mind? I posted some pics of it below, they're not really great since its rather difficult to take pictures from behind your head. The scab is from when I jabbed the bump with a hobby knife assuming it was a zit I could just pop. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Any suggestions, advice, or comments on how crazy I am are welcome.

http://inlinethumb15.webshots.com/41038/2773556130056081071S500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb57.webshots.com/1976/2241979850056081071S500x500Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/41367/2854837800056081071S500x500Q85.jpg
 
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Thanks for the link but there's nothing in there about bugs that implant there eggs near your brain. :confused:
 
It is probably nothing to worry about, probably a boil or carbuncle, but you should go see a doctor.
 
Topher925 said:
Thanks for the link but there's nothing in there about bugs that implant there eggs near your brain. :confused:

I wasn't serious.

I get lots of these [edit: not lots but one or two.. pretty similar to the one in the OP pictures] when I don't clean my room for a long time or maintain proper hygiene (they go away as soon as I clean my room). There's nothing like brain controlling wasps. I couldn't find reliable information about those wasps.
 
Stop worrying, it's probably just cancer.

Seriously though, just go get it checked out.
 
rootX said:
I wasn't serious.

I get lots of these [edit: not lots but one or two.. pretty similar to the one in the OP pictures] when I don't clean my room for a long time or maintain proper hygiene (they go away as soon as I clean my room). There's nothing like brain controlling wasps. I couldn't find reliable information about those wasps.

I'm sure its the brain controlling wasps that force you into cleaning your room.
 
Ivan Seeking said:
It is probably nothing to worry about, probably a boil or carbuncle, but you should go see a doctor.

Agreed, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Oh, and if something like this happens again, don't try and pop it with a knife! You could get all kinds of infections doing that.
 
Having recently been in puberty I would not worry about that.
 
  • #10
Obviously not wasps. From the location we can deduce it's an earwig nest.
 
  • #11
Probably not any sort of burrowing, mind-controlling wasps, but since it is hanging around a week later and not improving and not coming to a head, it would be a good idea to have a doctor take a look at it, especially if you still have it after this coming weekend (unless it suddenly gets a lot worse, it doesn't look like anything bad enough to make an emergency visit to a doctor over the holiday weekend).
 
  • #12
Crap. I didn't realize it was a holiday weekend.
Traffic is going to seriously suck. Maybe I can have food delivered. But then it might take over an hour. :-/

At any rate, a doctor is good. I can't really afford one. I had a spider bite (pretty sure that's what it was) on my arm that would not go away. It just kept getting bigger and bigger, probably from inflamation due to brushing against and bumping into things. Eventually it broke and now I have a small hole in my arm where it used to be because of all of the puss that had built up inside it.
 
  • #13
After looking at those pictures the first thing on your mind is... food?

Topher, you're paranoid. Let a doctor take a look. When your done showing all your friends you can mail it to SA. Just make sure it is there in half an hour or less or it's free.
 
  • #14
I don't know what those things are, but I've had one before in the exact same place. I ignored it and it went away. It's not bug larvae just some skin condition.
 
  • #15
zoobyshoe said:
Obviously not wasps. From the location we can deduce it's an earwig nest.

Comments like this aren't helping the situation. :eek:

I don't really want to go see a doctor because the last 4 times I went to one they either said "I don't know what's wrong with you, but I can give you medication for it" or "That looks like it hurts, I can't do anything for you but I can give you some medication if you want", then they send me a huge bill for doing absolutely nothing.

I think the bump is starting to get smaller anyway. I've been putting some ointment on it also and since it doesn't hurt anymore I'm guessing its in the healing process. I'll leave it alone until after the weekend and report back.
 
  • #16
Topher925 said:
Comments like this aren't helping the situation. :eek:
I wouldn't joke if I thought it was serious.

I don't really want to go see a doctor because the last 4 times I went to one they either said "I don't know what's wrong with you, but I can give you medication for it" or "That looks like it hurts, I can't do anything for you but I can give you some medication if you want", then they send me a huge bill for doing absolutely nothing.
Your best bet for this thing is a dermatologist. Also: probably time to start researching medical insurance for yourself. It sucks, but you get better treatment when the doctor knows for sure they'll be paid, as opposed to taking the risk they won't.
 
  • #17
In the last picture there appears to be a small head of a pimple, the overall size of the bump seems too large for even an inflamed sore, I think you should err on the side of caution and see a Dr.
 
  • #18
Topher925 said:
I think the bump is starting to get smaller anyway. I've been putting some ointment on it also and since it doesn't hurt anymore I'm guessing its in the healing process. I'll leave it alone until after the weekend and report back.

Since you've been jabbing at it with a knife, get some topical antibiotic ointment to put on it (like Neosporin or any of the many generic equivalents) over the weekend.
 
  • #19
Which way is up in this picture?
 
  • #20
My daughter had a similar bump to appear last summer; same place. I took her to a doctor and it said that there is a subtle lymphnode located there and a bug bit somewhere on the scalp could cause it to swell.
 
  • #21
dlgoff said:
My daughter had a similar bump to appear last summer; same place. I took her to a doctor and it said that there is a subtle lymphnode located there and a bug bit somewhere on the scalp could cause it to swell.

I concur that it is probably a hyper swollen lymph node. Everyone take your hands off your keyboards and gently rub behind your ears in the location of Topher925's lump. You should feel a pair of flattened lumps.

According to http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/swollen-lymph-node-behind-ear.html

The answer is:

Lymph nodes, as you know, swell in response to infection. What's really happening is that white blood cells within the lymph node are dividing madly to make more antibody to fight the infection. Think of a toy factory gearing up production for the Christmas rush, and you'll have the correct concept. However, unlike the toy factory after Christmas, when the infection is over, this factory has a bit of difficulty changing gears for the slow season. Some lymph nodes "melt" away after the resolution of an infection, while others remain enlarged for weeks, months, even decades. As long as the node does not exhibit slow growth (which would raise my suspicions for some other sort of tumor), it is safe to watch it.

My guess is that you've recently gotten over the swine flu, and will be just fine.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #22
I just lost my appetite :|
 
  • #23
wolram said:
Which way is up in this picture?
lmao. I think it was taken from the inside...

Hey Topher, I've had similar bumps. It's a zit, put Clearasil on it. Also, don't use so much soap behind your ears, you're keeping it too clean, aren't you... They go away if you stop scrubbing them so much.
 

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