What Does A Lump On The Right Side Of The Neck Indicate?

I have a small lump about halfway down the right side of my neck. It feels like a muscle swollen, it is hard to notice. It has been there for more then one month. It feels firm and does not move easily. Sometimes when my neck is relaxed, I can push it around a little. It is not visible upon visual inspection, unless I move my neck completely to the opposite site, then a small lump is a little visible. Also, at the same time I noticed extremely smaller lumps, such as little beans, under my jaw. They have also been present for the same amount of time. Right now I have had a cold for 2 days but I am feeling better now. In this one month, there have been no other symptoms. I am more worried about the lump in the side of the neck since it was more difficult to move and is more firm. Completely different then the lymph nodes under my jaw. It is hard to tell the size because the lump makes the surrounding skin also feel raised , but it is apparently very small (less then 1 cm) according to my doctor. There is no other lumps or swelling in my body, only neck. Also, since about the same time I have had a few patches of skin on the same side of my neck. The pictures are attached. Those patches have also been present for the same amount of time and have stayed the same in size. They look a little darker then the surrounding skin. I have shared these concerns with my doctor two times. He did a complete physical inspection, jaw and neck. Both type of lumps as I have mentioned, and he said it is nothing to be concerned about. I asked him when should I return or be concerned, and he told me that only if they grow or other symptoms become present. I m not sure why, but he said that if they stay the same way they are, no need to come back. Other then this, the same type of lumps were present at times in my neck when I was a little kid, in the same area, I remember the doctor would inspect on many occasion. They have stayed the same size ever since I noticed them one month ago, no growth. But also I don t know how long they have been there because I have never inspected my neck before. Could the irritation/patches on my neck be a skin infection which caused this? I am concerned about cancer, as I have heard small and firm lumps can also mean cancer or cysts that need surgery. I shared this with my doctor but he assured me it is not. I am still very concerned and anxious. Any thoughts?