strange lumps in ear

Right. For quite a while I've had these tiny little lumps in my ears. Well my earlobe is a better description. A while ago I had these like ball bearing sized lumps behind both ears and about 3 on my right ear. The larger ones behind my ears have come and gone but others have remained. They are hard and I daren't squeeze them in case I damage myself.

I can still feel like smaller versions of those directly behind my ears, and my left earlobe has one ball bearing and one really big one that has been there for about six months, which has the circumference of about the size of a pencil. It hurts to touch but doesnt bother me if I leave it.

Does anyone have any idea what they are and what causes them? I'll probably go to my doctor but first I wanted to check if they are harmless so I wouldnt waste time going to the doctors if they are.

Reply 1

rosetinted

Do you have your ears pierced? If so it could be hypertrophic scarring, keloids or possibly an allergic reaction to the metal in your earrings.

If not then most likely they are cysts. Leave them alone, as prodding them will only cause inflammation and attempting to squeeze them can do some damage. It's always best to get any unusual growth checked out by your doctor. Only they can tell you what these lumps actually are and whether they are harmful. I'd say book an appointment and put your mind at rest.

Reply 2

Botticello

Yes I have them pierced. Thats useful, thanks. I will check with my doctor too. What is the scarring/keloids you mentioned?

Reply 3

lemonadeX

I've got the same thing, and haven't had my ears pierced.

-Will

Reply 4

dd1989

There is a Lymph node than runs into the earlobe, I had this problem a while back, but I left them and they went away, but every so often I can feel it coming back on my right ear.

I think what happens is that it becomes infected, and obviously it forms a hard, ball-like shape that Is sore to touch, just Google "lump ear lobe" for 100s of same questions.

edit, Googled it, some one wrote.

The most probable possibility is clogged sebaceous gland of the earlobe. It is not uncommon to have clogged sebaceous glands in the earlobe. They are a result of poor hygiene or some kind of an infection. Most people don’t even notice them, or notice them as small lumps in the earlobe, but some of them tend to get infected and they can grow to be very big and can become a great problem for the patient. They can hurt but they don’t have to, the pain usually appears when the lump starts pressing on some nerve ending in the earlobe. Trying to squeeze them out will only cause you more pain and can worsen the infection. The safest solution is to go to a plastic surgeon and have the lump removed. It may be the smartest thing to do because they could rule out the chances of some kind of a cancer, don’t worry the procedure isn’t painful and it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to do it.

Reply 5

rosetinted

If the lumps are very close to or around the piercing holes then it's possible you have problems with excess scar tissue. Hypertrophic scarring is indicated by raised lumps which don't extend beyond the site of the piercing, they will be reddish and do feel hard. However as you didn't mention the lumps being on the site of your piercings I think it is probably not hypertrophic scarring or keloiding. Wikipedia has a bit of info on both: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scar, or type either into google and you'll get more info and can decide for yourself if it sound like what you have.