Swelling behind the ear is often caused by swollen lymph nodes, which can be a result of infection, injury, or cancer. Treatment depends on the cause, with antibiotics prescribed for infections and biopsies needed for cancer.
Swelling behind the ear is usually the result of a swollen lymph node. People also refer to this condition as having enlarged glands or swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes can be found in many places on the body, including the groin, armpits, neck, and behind the ears. The primary function of lymph nodes is to help the body eliminate foreign bacteria and infections. Their swelling can be caused by infection, injury, or cancer.
The lymphatic system, which contains the lymph nodes, carries lymph fluids throughout the body. When this fluid passes through the lymph nodes, they filter bacteria and other infectious materials out of the system. Sometimes, the lymph nodes themselves can become infected or enlarged due to other problems, which then manifests as swelling behind the ear. In most cases, the swelling is due to an infection and usually lasts for a few days to a week. A doctor can usually identify the cause of an enlarged lymph node by first identifying its location in the body.
When a person has a cold, the infection can trigger swelling behind the ear, on the neck, or under the jaw. Swelling in the armpit is a sign that a person has an infection affecting their arms or hands. If a person experiences swelling in the groin, an infection in the legs or feet may be present. In cases where swollen lymph nodes aren’t caused by an infection, the condition may be the result of an injury or cancer. The three main types of cancer that produce swollen lymph nodes include leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Treatment will depend on the exact cause of the condition. In cases where the swelling is due to an infection, antibiotics are usually prescribed and the swelling behind the ear should go away within a week. When swelling is caused by an injury to the body, the injury itself will need to be treated and the swelling should then naturally subside on its own. If cancer is the cause, a biopsy will be needed to diagnose the condition, and the doctor will then need to decide the best course to take. Depending on the location and severity of the cancer, the lymph nodes themselves may need to be removed, along with other infected tissue.
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