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What Causes Swollen Lymph Node Behind Ears?
Question: I have had a swollen lymph node behind my left ear for about a week. At times, I have also had a pain in my ear or temple that comes and goes-more like a pulsating pain every few minutes rather than a consistent pain. This has lessened with Advil. Today my left ankle, foot, and lower leg have swollen. This is noy painful and decreases with my foot elevated. I have never had this swelling before. Could all of these symptoms be related?
Brief Answer:
unilateral limb edema and postauricular lymph node
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The lymph node behind the ear is enlarged usually due to the local infection of external auditory meatus, pinna or the skin of the scalp. If the lymph node persists for more than a week or the pain in the area persists for long, you need to be evaluated by ENT specialist for further evaluation.
This has nothing to do with your unilateral leg swelling which is usually due to varicose veins or underlying DVT. Swelling for a few days unilaterally doesn't need much evaluation.If the edema persists for long, you may need to undergo duplex US for evaluation of deep vein thrombosis. Eventually the treatment is the use of graded compression stockings which relieves the swelling. Since the swelling of the leg is only unilateral, it can not be due to heart condition in which case the edema is almost always bilateral. Hope it helps. Thank you.
Dr. Khan
unilateral limb edema and postauricular lymph node
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The lymph node behind the ear is enlarged usually due to the local infection of external auditory meatus, pinna or the skin of the scalp. If the lymph node persists for more than a week or the pain in the area persists for long, you need to be evaluated by ENT specialist for further evaluation.
This has nothing to do with your unilateral leg swelling which is usually due to varicose veins or underlying DVT. Swelling for a few days unilaterally doesn't need much evaluation.If the edema persists for long, you may need to undergo duplex US for evaluation of deep vein thrombosis. Eventually the treatment is the use of graded compression stockings which relieves the swelling. Since the swelling of the leg is only unilateral, it can not be due to heart condition in which case the edema is almost always bilateral. Hope it helps. Thank you.
Dr. Khan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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