
What Causes An Inflamed Lymph Node Below The Ear?

I am 30 years old male, never had a health issue. Two weeks ago I discovered a small lump right below my right ear lobe. It's painless, it feels soft at simple touch but I can feel a more dense mass inside if I rub it between my fingers. It doesn't appear to change in size. I have no other symptoms. Please see the attached photo.
What could it be? If it's a lymph node, which one is it and what's it associated with.
A friend of mine operated for parotid tumor insists I check it ASAP. Should I be worried? I'm currently on vacation and don't want to spoil it.
Thanks,
XXXX
All clear, No worries, seems innocuous
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking my worried friend!
Let me give you a good news. Enjoy your vacation. no need to spoil it.
Age of 30 with no past history and no pain and no clinical correlation makes it innocuous looking and nothing to bother about.
It seems like a simple inflamed lymph node and no pain makes it innocuous further.2 weeks is too less to present with any morbid trouble. It is auricular group of lymph nodes and a simple recent infection of ear nose or throat or even a dental trouble can cause it. A simple flu can go with it.
Also you are on travelling so it could be just a dermatological manifestation totally innocuous.
Tell your friend to chill up and stop worrying others for no reasons. i feel sorry for his parotid tumor but not every bump and lump around parotid is tumor. the odds for that are like one in thousand bumps.
I suggest enjoy your vacations, get some topical antiinflammatory over it, i wont mind steroids like hydrocortisone even you will get that easily from any store in low 0.5 % ointment, if there is some fever or any ear pain take some amoxacillin 500 mg twice a day. and when you get back home get a consult with an otorhinolaryngologist to see if there is any thing he can do about it.
Rest assured, from my perspective it is nothing to worry about, nothing to lose your vacation for and nothing to bother about.
I hope it helps.Take good care and don't forget to close the discussion please.
May the odds be ever in your favour.
Regards
S Khan

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