Dis Docs: Advice About Lumps on Neck

[paintnolish]

Let me start this off by saying that I will call the doctor in the morning! DS told me a few minutes ago, after he got out of the shower, that the side of his neck had been sore. While washing his hair, he discovered two lumps on the side of his neck (below his ear but a little back). I felt them, and they feel soft and smushy. I said. "Hmm...I'll call the dr. in the morning. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about!" meanwhile, I've been sick with worry and researching the internet, which we know is dangerous. Any experiences to help me feel better? DS has not been sick at all recently (lymph node related?) Thanks!

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

I'm sure you've already thought of this, but...pimples?

 

[paintnolish]

His skin is totally clear.

 

[rchristiansen]

I have one on my neck that started like that. It was YEARS ago and got really swollen and sore. But I wasn't sick. It lasted for a week or so and then the swelling went down. The Dr. actually told me it was a "good thing" it quickly got sore and swollen because that indicates an infection (and not something else). I didn't' even take any meds for it, it went away on it's own. Sometimes when I'm sick it will swell up more than other glands, but I've had a couple other Drs. check it since then (during annual physicals) and all have said it was no biggie.

Like you said: still go to the Dr., but just wanted to share my experience.

 

[FredinFL]

I'm thinking squishy is good. Let us know what the doctor says.

 

[paintnolish]

Thanks for the replies thus far. I am already starting to feel a little better!

 

[MerMom60_94]

Do you have a cat in your house? I once had a lump on my neck and it was common for people with cats. I actually did have a biopsy but it was not cancer.

 

[krcit]

I have a lymph node on my neck, right below my ear that sometimes gets very swollen. Last year I actually marked it down on a calendar to keep track of it. It finally went down but sometimes I can still feel it. I had it checked out about 20 years ago and was told it's just a lymph node. I'm sure your ds will be fine but I would for sure get it checked out.

 

[CJBaby]

Has he been sick at all lately? My dd has one that freaked me out and my doc said it was very common for lymphnodes to swell when you have been sick. Her bump was small, "hard-ish" (in her neck behind her ear) and he said she'll probably always have it. I would check for more lumps. My doctor initially said to monitor it over a length of time. He said that the "problem" bumps get bigger and then more come out. He told me not to check it every day because I would make myself crazy, but over weeks.

I would just take him in for your peace of mind. It's always nothing, but I know how us Moms worry!

 

[LuvOrlando]

Mono is the first thing that popped into my mind, I got it in the 8th grade from drinking out of a friends soda. Right now it is tearing through my kids middle school. Not everyone gets really sick from it, I did but the girl I got it from had no symptoms other than the lumps

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I have a huge one, same spot, totally rock hard. My doc told me it was nothing and just to wacth it. Mines been there almost 3 years now without a issue.

 

[golfgal]

He could be coming down with something and just not symptomatic yet. I vote for enlarged lymph nodes.

 

[Frantasmic]

It might just be a sebaceous cyst (an infected/impacted sweat gland).

If it's below the ear along the jaw line, it is probably a lymph node. If it's more directly behind the ear, it may be a cyst.

 

[Swan4Me]

I had a couple like that that suddenly became painfull and had to be removed by surgery-have it looked at

 

[shortbun]

He could be coming down with something and just not symptomatic yet. I vote for enlarged lymph nodes.

Yep, lymph nodes are my guess. My son's get tender and a bit swollen pretty easily when he gets tired or even has a mild virus. Take him in but just know it's probably something minor.

 

[golfgal]

Yep, lymph nodes are my guess. My son's get tender and a bit swollen pretty easily when he gets tired or even has a mild virus. Take him in but just know it's probably something minor.

I always used DS's lymph nodes as a sign that it was time to start his allergy meds in the spring. When they started getting bigger, allergies were on the rise.

 

[paintnolish]

Yep, the dr. said his lymph nodes on one side were the tiniest bit swollen. He said they can be swollen 4-6 weeks after an illness! Ds is otherwise fine, so he said to keep an eye on them.
Thanks for the advice. I even peeked at work (I stay off the Dis there!).

 

[Feralpeg]

My daughter has several. She's had them for years. They are swollen lymph glands. Once the swell, they don't usually go away. The doctor told her that a lot of kids develop swollen glands when going through puberty, especially if they have complexion problems. The glands are the bodies way of dealing with infections from the complexion issues. DD even has a couple on her scalp.