Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Swelling Behind Head And Left Ear, Pain On Pressing, No Head Injury. Causes?
hi, i have tenderness and a little swelling at the back of the head behind the left ear, the pain is manageable but it gets worse by the day. about the tenderness, when you apply pressure on it, its really painful, like when your applying pressure on a bruise . i didn t bump my head or hit anything in the area, i just woke up two days ago and the swelling, tenderness and pain is there.
posted on
Thu, 13 Dec 2012
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 14 Dec 2012
Answered on
Sat, 15 Dec 2012
Last reviewed on
Dear Concerned.,
Thanks for writing to us.
Only probabalities can be discussed as we have not clinically examined you.
1)Furuncle or boil due to hair follicle infection.This needs to be drained by your MD after reducing the inflammation with a course of Antibiotics.
2)Infected Sebaceous Cyst;
Due to its location you would have noticed the swelling only recently as the swelling would have inflamed and creating pain and tenderness.The blocked oil producing sebaceous gland when inflamed becomes tense painful and cystic swelling.It needs to be excised along with its capsule"Enucleation".
3)Dermoid Cyst:It is present since birth at the junction of fusion of dermatomes embryonically and filled with a Pultaceous material.An X-Ray to rule out intracranial extension to be taken and then the lesion be surgically removed.
Initially with a course of Antibiotics/Antiinflammatory pain will be managed. Later pls undertake Pre-Operative baseline investigations and consult a General Surgeon for excision of lesion.
wishing you a quick recovery.,
Best Regards.,
Dr Lt Cdr ASN Bhushan.,
Ex-Navy.
Thanks for writing to us.
Only probabalities can be discussed as we have not clinically examined you.
1)Furuncle or boil due to hair follicle infection.This needs to be drained by your MD after reducing the inflammation with a course of Antibiotics.
2)Infected Sebaceous Cyst;
Due to its location you would have noticed the swelling only recently as the swelling would have inflamed and creating pain and tenderness.The blocked oil producing sebaceous gland when inflamed becomes tense painful and cystic swelling.It needs to be excised along with its capsule"Enucleation".
3)Dermoid Cyst:It is present since birth at the junction of fusion of dermatomes embryonically and filled with a Pultaceous material.An X-Ray to rule out intracranial extension to be taken and then the lesion be surgically removed.
Initially with a course of Antibiotics/Antiinflammatory pain will be managed. Later pls undertake Pre-Operative baseline investigations and consult a General Surgeon for excision of lesion.
wishing you a quick recovery.,
Best Regards.,
Dr Lt Cdr ASN Bhushan.,
Ex-Navy.
I find this answer helpful
Hello,
It would be proper if the swelling was examined by a health professional to determine its consistency (soft or firm), mobility (mobile or fixed), warmness ( warm or normal temperature), size, color of skin ( red, normal or other), and tenderness ( which you have already mentioned). If this could be determined and presented, we could then differentiate if it is a benign mass or just an inflammation/infection that requires antiinflammatory/painkillers and antibiotics. If benign it could be a cyst/ adenoma or other benign lesions. For now to manage the pain you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or even steroidal anti-inflammatory. But a definitive solution would be managed by your doctor.
Best wishes
It would be proper if the swelling was examined by a health professional to determine its consistency (soft or firm), mobility (mobile or fixed), warmness ( warm or normal temperature), size, color of skin ( red, normal or other), and tenderness ( which you have already mentioned). If this could be determined and presented, we could then differentiate if it is a benign mass or just an inflammation/infection that requires antiinflammatory/painkillers and antibiotics. If benign it could be a cyst/ adenoma or other benign lesions. For now to manage the pain you can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory or even steroidal anti-inflammatory. But a definitive solution would be managed by your doctor.
Best wishes
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on X ray
Loading Online Doctors....