How to get rid of lumps behind the ear: Causes and treatments

September 27, 2025 •

4 min read

Lumps behind the ear are a common occurrence, with many cases being benign and resolving on their own. This guide will help you understand the potential causes and treatment paths for how to get rid of lumps behind the ear, and determine when it's time to seek medical advice.

Quick Summary

Removing lumps behind the ear depends on the underlying cause, whether an infection, benign growth like a cyst, or another condition. While some may clear up with home care, others require professional medical treatment.

Key Points

Most Lumps are Benign: Most lumps behind the ear are caused by infections or harmless skin conditions and are not a serious health concern.
Identify the Cause: Effective treatment depends on the underlying cause, whether it's a swollen lymph node, a sebaceous cyst, or a lipoma.
See a Doctor for Concerning Symptoms: Consult a healthcare provider if a lump is hard, fixed, growing, or accompanied by other serious symptoms like fever or significant pain.
Avoid Self-Treatment: Never attempt to pop or drain a cyst or abscess yourself, as this can worsen infection and lead to complications.
Home Remedies Provide Comfort: For minor issues like swollen lymph nodes, rest, hydration, and warm compresses can help manage discomfort and aid healing.
Mastoiditis is a Serious Concern: A lump caused by mastoiditis, a severe infection of the bone behind the ear, requires immediate medical attention.

Understanding the Most Common Causes

Many different issues can cause a lump to form in the area behind the ear. The majority of these are benign and not a cause for serious alarm. Recognizing the source of the lump is the first step toward effective treatment.

Swollen Lymph Nodes

The most frequent cause of a lump behind the ear is a swollen lymph node, also known as lymphadenopathy. The lymph nodes in this area (posterior auricular nodes) swell in response to a nearby infection, such as:

Upper Respiratory Infections: Common colds, flu, and strep throat.
Ear Infections: Conditions like otitis media can trigger the lymph nodes to react.
Dental Infections: An abscessed tooth or gum disease.
Skin Infections: Localized infections on the scalp or face, like acne or folliculitis.

Benign Skin Conditions

These are non-cancerous growths that are typically harmless, though they can become painful if infected.

Sebaceous Cysts: These are fluid-filled sacs that form when sebaceous glands become blocked. They are usually soft, movable, and filled with keratin and oily fluid.
Lipomas: A lipoma is a soft, fatty lump that grows slowly between the skin and muscle. It is generally painless and moves easily when pressed.
Acne: Pores can become blocked behind the ear just as they do on the face, leading to pimples or larger, more inflamed acne nodules.
Keloids: A keloid is a type of raised scar that can form after a skin injury, such as a piercing, though they are less common behind the ear.

Other Inflammatory and Infectious Causes

Abscess: A painful, pus-filled pocket can develop when tissue becomes infected with bacteria. It often feels warm to the touch and requires medical drainage.
Mastoiditis: A serious infection of the mastoid bone, which is located behind the ear. This condition usually occurs if an untreated middle ear infection spreads and can be very dangerous if not addressed promptly.

Home Remedies and Self-Care

For many minor cases, particularly swollen lymph nodes due to a viral infection, simple home care can help manage symptoms until the lump resolves on its own.

For Swollen Lymph Nodes:

Apply a Warm Compress: Place a clean washcloth soaked in hot water over the lump for 10-15 minutes, several times a day. This can help reduce swelling and tenderness.
Stay Hydrated and Rest: Give your body the time and resources it needs to fight the underlying infection. Drinking plenty of fluids and getting adequate rest are crucial.
Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers: Medications like ibuprofen can help relieve associated pain and inflammation.

Important: Never attempt to pop, drain, or squeeze a cyst or abscess. This can introduce bacteria, worsening the infection and potentially leading to scarring.

When to Seek Medical Attention

While most lumps are harmless, certain signs indicate the need for a professional evaluation by a doctor or an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist.

Consult a doctor if the lump:

Is hard, fixed, and does not move when you touch it.
Appears suddenly and without an obvious cause, or continues to grow in size.
Is accompanied by symptoms like high fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.
Causes persistent pain, redness, or discharges pus.
Interferes with hearing or causes facial weakness.

Medical Treatments for Lumps Behind the Ear

Your treatment plan will be determined by the diagnosis provided by a healthcare professional. Common medical interventions include:

Antibiotics: If the lump is caused by a bacterial infection, a course of antibiotics will be prescribed. For mastoiditis, intravenous antibiotics may be necessary in a hospital setting.
Corticosteroid Injections: For inflamed but non-infected cysts, a steroid injection can help reduce swelling.
Incision and Drainage: A doctor can safely drain an abscess or infected cyst by making a small incision and removing the pus. This provides immediate relief but may not prevent recurrence if the cyst sac isn't removed.
Surgical Excision: For recurring cysts, bothersome lipomas, or suspicious growths, surgical removal is the most definitive solution. The procedure, often done under local anesthesia, removes the entire lump and its capsule to prevent regrowth.

Comparison of Common Lumps Behind the Ear


Feature	Swollen Lymph Node	Sebaceous Cyst	Lipoma	Abscess	Mastoiditis (severe)
Cause	Infection (viral or bacterial)	Blocked sebaceous gland	Fatty tissue overgrowth	Bacterial infection	Untreated ear infection
Feel	Soft, rubbery, movable	Soft, movable	Soft, doughy, movable	Firm, warm to touch	Doughy, tender, swollen bone
Pain Level	Often tender/painful	Usually painless, painful if infected	Painless	Painful	Throbbing, severe pain
Appearance	Small, rounded bump	Small, sometimes with a dark "punctum"	Smooth, round lump under skin	Red, inflamed, pus-filled	Redness, swelling, ear displacement

Conclusion: Prioritize Accurate Diagnosis

While many lumps behind the ear are benign and resolve on their own, understanding the different potential causes is key to ensuring proper treatment. For minor issues like swollen lymph nodes from a cold, home remedies can provide comfort. However, if the lump is hard, growing, painful, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and to rule out more serious conditions like mastoiditis or, rarely, cancer. Getting a proper medical evaluation is the safest and most effective way to address the issue. For more information on health symptoms, consult an authority like the Cleveland Clinic website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common causes include swollen lymph nodes due to an infection (like a cold or ear infection), benign growths such as sebaceous cysts and lipomas, and skin conditions like acne or an abscess.

No, most lumps behind the ear are not serious. They are often benign and result from a temporary infection or a harmless skin condition. However, if a lump exhibits certain characteristics, a doctor should be consulted.

You should see a doctor if the lump is hard, fixed in place, grows rapidly, is very painful, or if you have a fever, headache, or other concerning symptoms. Persistent lumps that last more than a few weeks also warrant medical attention.

A lipoma is a soft, fatty lump under the skin, while a sebaceous cyst is a fluid-filled sac containing oily, skin-like material. A lipoma is generally doughy and painless, whereas a cyst can become inflamed and painful if infected.

Yes, an ear infection (otitis media) can cause the lymph nodes behind the ear to swell as your body's immune system fights the infection. In severe cases, an untreated ear infection can lead to mastoiditis.

For swollen lymph nodes, home remedies like applying a warm compress, resting, and staying hydrated can help. However, you should never try to pop or drain cysts or abscesses at home.

While rare, a cancerous lump is often hard, fixed in place, and irregular in shape. It may also change over time and be accompanied by other systemic symptoms like fever or weight loss.