Do you have a lump on your neck, back, or behind your ear? This is what it means!

Acne appears behind the ear

Acne is a common skin condition that causes lumps behind the ears.

In acne, the pores of the skin become clogged with oil. Sebum is an oily substance secreted from areas at the base of hair follicles.

Oil mixes with dead skin cells to form a layer called a comedone.

If certain bacteria enter the comedone, the pimple will become infected and inflamed.

Inflamed acne can become enlarged and, in its most severe form, form a lump called an acne cyst.

If the pimple forms a lump, it can cause pain when pressed. Other cysts and pimples on the head can accompany pimples or cysts behind the ears, especially on the face.

Cystic acne is an unpleasant condition that causes scarring. However, doctors can help fight cystic acne with effective treatments.

A cyst behind the ear

Cysts can appear anywhere on the skin, including behind the ears.

A skin cyst is a fluid-filled sac. They form a raised, dome-shaped area on the skin. Sometimes there is a black spot called a dot on their upper part.

They can move freely and do not stay in place. The doctor should check for lumps of skin that cannot be moved from side to side.

Scalp cysts tend to be columnar skin cysts. The lining of this type of follicle is made up of hair root cells.

Sebaceous cysts may also occur. They are produced in the glands that are responsible for the oil that moisturizes the skin and hair.

Other cysts consist of cells from the surface of the skin, called epidermoid cysts. Finally, there are sebaceous cysts, which are less common and contain oily substances.

Lipoma

Lipoma is another cause of a lump behind the ear. A lipoma is a benign lump of fat. They are not cancerous, they grow very slowly and do not spread.

They are more common on other parts of the body, but can also occur under the skin, including behind the ears.

A lipoma feels tender to the touch. They are usually painless, unless they press on a nearby nerve.

They usually occur in a limited number of places. In rare cases, some people have multiple lipomas at once.

These lumps are usually small, ranging from the size of a pea to an inch.

Plastic surgeons can remove unsightly lipomas, but it’s safe to leave them untreated. If necessary, the surgeon can remove the lipoma.

A cyst and a lipoma are the same type of lump. Compared to cysts, lipomas are located deeper in the skin and feel softer.