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Extremely Painful, Swollen Bump On Right Back Side Of Head, Getting Bigger In Size. No Ear Infection, Sore Throat. Any Ideas?
I have a very painful, swollen bump on the right back side of my head, right in the area of where I remember learning there are lymph nodes. It's only on the right side, and started up about an hour ago. The pain continues to get more and more intense, and when I turn my head to the left, it hurts that area very badly. It's also extremely painful to the touch. The bump isn't really visible, and it's not red as far as I can tell, but it is very easily felt by feeling the area. It seems to be slowly getting bigger in size also. All of this occuring within the last hour. I don't have a cold, as far as I know, or an ear infection. No sore throat. And my headache only barely started a few minutes ago. Is this something to be worried about?
posted on
Fri, 24 May 2013
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 24 May 2013
Answered on
Sat, 25 May 2013
Last reviewed on
Hello,
Thanks for your inquiry,
You are c/o of Painful bump in the right side rear of head, which hurts on turning your head to the left side, not visible only able to feel, and a feeling that it is getting bigger - all within one hour. A single allergic bump is rare without severe itching. I think there should have been a pre-existing mild bump which has been infected and because of the pain you have noticed it one hour back.
A hair follicle got infected may present like this - summer boil.
If it is a lymph node got infected - watch for any source of infection in the scalp or neck anywhere around that region.
If the bump is covered by intact skin and if you are able to lift the skin in the bump area - then chances for a lymph node or a mini Lipoma got infected.
If you are able to see a small dark spot in the center and you are not able to lift the skin it may be an infected sebaceous cyst.
Antibiotics + pain reliever + avoiding injury by a comb will relieve the symptoms.
If it persists and gives problem consult a Dr.
Best wishes
Thanks for your inquiry,
You are c/o of Painful bump in the right side rear of head, which hurts on turning your head to the left side, not visible only able to feel, and a feeling that it is getting bigger - all within one hour. A single allergic bump is rare without severe itching. I think there should have been a pre-existing mild bump which has been infected and because of the pain you have noticed it one hour back.
A hair follicle got infected may present like this - summer boil.
If it is a lymph node got infected - watch for any source of infection in the scalp or neck anywhere around that region.
If the bump is covered by intact skin and if you are able to lift the skin in the bump area - then chances for a lymph node or a mini Lipoma got infected.
If you are able to see a small dark spot in the center and you are not able to lift the skin it may be an infected sebaceous cyst.
Antibiotics + pain reliever + avoiding injury by a comb will relieve the symptoms.
If it persists and gives problem consult a Dr.
Best wishes
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