# Lets discuss the funny lumps under my ear.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-funny-lumps-under-my-ear/78969>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 30, 2001, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-funny-lumps-under-my-ear/78969 "2001-08-30T17:52:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-funny-lumps-under-my-ear/78969/1 "2001-08-30T17:52:57Z")

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Shall we? I get small hardish lumps under my right ear. They come and go irregularly and appear right under the ear lobe. They’re not like spots, they are only mildy sensitive to touch and don’t spew pus all over the place. They don’t hurt and my hearing is not affected by them but I really would like to know what the hell they are! I’ve got one right now and its about the size of a pea and slightly noticeable.

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**Author:** ![Mr.Wilson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@Mr.Wilson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Wilson)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-funny-lumps-under-my-ear/78969/2 "2001-08-30T18:03:30Z")

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I get those to. My guess is it has something to do with lymph nodes. Just hope it isn’t terminal.

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**Author:** ![jonfromdenver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/82dd89/32.png) [@jonfromdenver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonfromdenver)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-funny-lumps-under-my-ear/78969/3 "2001-08-30T18:15:12Z")

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i don’t think that it’s too much to worry about, but you may want to mention it to your doctor next time you’re in. it sounds like it’s just a cyst, which could be caused by several different irritations. is it by chance a place that you have pierced? i know that when some people’s ear-holes heal over, they get recurring cysts. it could also be as simple as a pimple, i believe that i’ve had one on my ear before. the only serious things it could be is a tumor–in which case you want to see a doctor, or cholesteatoma. cholesteatoma is essentially a cystlike collection of skin occurring in various parts of the ear where the skin is trapped, but that doesn’t usually occur unless you have recurring ear infections.

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**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-funny-lumps-under-my-ear/78969/4 "2001-08-30T21:29:34Z")

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Thanks guys. You know I find out about a lot of stuff through this board that I probably should go and see my doctor about. I probably mention it next time, I just like sounding out a few people first - silly but just the way I am.

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**Author:** ![CheapBastid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8baadc/32.png) [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2001, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-discuss-the-funny-lumps-under-my-ear/78969/5 "2001-08-30T21:38:04Z")

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FYI - I get 'em too.

I’m guessing [Sebaceous Cysts](http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1016.html), and no big worry. I’m also guessing they come from the collection of junk that gets deposited there from the rising air heated by our body.  
But I’m only guessing.