swollen gland behind ear- causes?

greenishmama · 07-29-2015, 04:32 PM

I've had a swollen gland/node behind my left ear for a month now. At first it was larger then smaller, then larger again and back to smaller but still not gone. My dr. ordered an ultrasound of it and the result was that it was a normal gland but she never said what could be causing it to swell or what to do now (and when I called office this morning the nurse (?) was nasty and said I had to come in and that it was against the law for the dr to talk to me on the phone! (is there a new law? I've talked to drs on the phone before....?) I told her that I didn't think the dr needed to feel the bump again but I wanted to know what she thought could be causing it. Initially I may have had a low fever for one night and didn't feel so hot but no other illness symptoms. also last week the other node near it- slightly higher and further back swelled for a couple days.
of course an internet search turns up scary stuff... my concern is a tumor in my brain that would cause the one gland to react and swell. ??
does anyone know if a wisdom tooth could cause that gland to swell even if I have no pain or apparent symptoms with my wisdom tooth? (it has come in partially without pain but should probably come out).
it is the postauricular node.

Rivendell Raven · 07-29-2015, 09:49 PM

Any infection near a lymph node can cause it to swell. It could be from your wisdom teeth or a cold or sinus infection, or ear infection... I'm sorry that nurse was rude to you. I have Kaiser Permanente insurance and they encourage phone appointments for non urgent things. It could be different by state...?

Soliloquy · 07-29-2015, 10:54 PM

Any infection or toxicity can cause that. I would up my immune boosters (vit C, vit D3, minerals) and do lymphatic exercise and massage. Walking while really swinging your arms is one form lymphatic exercise. Lat pulls are another. Lymphatic massage is very light, fingertip touch all around the area to help move the lymph.

And drink lots of filtered water.

It's pretty normal for something like that to take awhile to go down. If you're concerned, though, I'd ask for a CBC blood test to see the count of your white cells.

greenishmama · 07-30-2015, 05:53 PM

Thank you for your info. I heard from nurse today and as for cause of swollen glands she just said could be an infection or virus or something going on that is causing the gland to do it's job. but I want to know WHAT!! I haven't been feeling wonderful but haven't been getting enough/good sleep the past week or so, so it's hard to tell right now. I don't understand how I could have an infection or virus somewhere without other symptoms. The gland behind the ear drains the scalp and outer ear. so if I had an infection elsewhere it should not be activating that gland. which leaves me to worry about what could be going on inside my head.
She said the dr. could order another ultrasound in a month if it's still swollen. but that still would not tell WHY it 's swelling.

one thing I'm curious about is that I've been doing T-tap. Not sure how many readers know about that exercise method. It is supposed to promote lymph system activation/circulation so wondering if that is causing it....

Soliloquy · 07-30-2015, 07:04 PM

Lots of T-Tappers here, including me! It seems possible that all the lymphatic pumping could be working the glands more than normal, causing them to enlarge, but I'm not sure.

It's not uncommon to have swollen lymph nodes for awhile without ever knowing why. We can have subclinical infections fairly often without realizing it. If you feel well then perhaps your immune system is just doing it's job.

greenishmama · 07-30-2015, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soliloquy

Lots of T-Tappers here, including me! It seems possible that all the lymphatic pumping could be working the glands more than normal, causing them to enlarge, but I'm not sure.

It's not uncommon to have swollen lymph nodes for awhile without ever knowing why. We can have subclinical infections fairly often without realizing it. If you feel well then perhaps your immune system is just doing it's job.

thank you. I know I need to just pray and relax. The dr's staff is just very frustrating to me. I couldn't make it as a doctor because I'd always want to find out the reasons for things.

Pearl In Oyster · 07-31-2015, 01:59 PM

I had something similar once and it turned out to be a blocked salivary gland.

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

greenishmama · 07-31-2015, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pearl In Oyster

I had something similar once and it turned out to be a blocked salivary gland.

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk

I've had that before. Well, it was the salivary gland that was blocked. Painful! but used heat, etc. This is a lymph node behind my ear. I don't seem to be having symptoms of a blocked salivary gland though. It actually seems slightly bigger right now than earlier today. ?? still bugs me!

Indigo · 08-03-2015, 09:11 AM

I was just reading something about that. Have you had any trouble with your eye on that side? We thought my dd had conjunctivitis and wedmd said w/that you can get swollen glands by the ears. Just thought I'd throw that out there as a possibility.

When we worked with a chiropractor regularly, she often did massage to decrease gland swelling. You could probably find some info online about the proper technique.

Soliloquy · 08-03-2015, 11:44 AM

Gentle dry skin brushing off your whole body might help, too.

07-29-2015, 04:32 PM	#1
greenishmama Rose Trellis Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: northern New York State Posts: 1,769	swollen gland behind ear- causes? I've had a swollen gland/node behind my left ear for a month now. At first it was larger then smaller, then larger again and back to smaller but still not gone. My dr. ordered an ultrasound of it and the result was that it was a normal gland but she never said what could be causing it to swell or what to do now (and when I called office this morning the nurse (?) was nasty and said I had to come in and that it was against the law for the dr to talk to me on the phone! (is there a new law? I've talked to drs on the phone before....?) I told her that I didn't think the dr needed to feel the bump again but I wanted to know what she thought could be causing it. Initially I may have had a low fever for one night and didn't feel so hot but no other illness symptoms. also last week the other node near it- slightly higher and further back swelled for a couple days. of course an internet search turns up scary stuff... my concern is a tumor in my brain that would cause the one gland to react and swell. ?? does anyone know if a wisdom tooth could cause that gland to swell even if I have no pain or apparent symptoms with my wisdom tooth? (it has come in partially without pain but should probably come out). it is the postauricular node. __________________ married to wonderful DH since '96 "H" 9/2005 "h" 5/2008

07-29-2015, 09:49 PM	#2
Rivendell Raven Rose Bouquet Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Imladris Posts: 591	Re: swollen gland behind ear- causes? Any infection near a lymph node can cause it to swell. It could be from your wisdom teeth or a cold or sinus infection, or ear infection... I'm sorry that nurse was rude to you. I have Kaiser Permanente insurance and they encourage phone appointments for non urgent things. It could be different by state...? __________________ Married to DH since 6/21/10 Mama to S since 6/19/13

07-29-2015, 10:54 PM	#3
Soliloquy Rose Garden Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,860	Re: swollen gland behind ear- causes? Any infection or toxicity can cause that. I would up my immune boosters (vit C, vit D3, minerals) and do lymphatic exercise and massage. Walking while really swinging your arms is one form lymphatic exercise. Lat pulls are another. Lymphatic massage is very light, fingertip touch all around the area to help move the lymph. And drink lots of filtered water. It's pretty normal for something like that to take awhile to go down. If you're concerned, though, I'd ask for a CBC blood test to see the count of your white cells.

07-30-2015, 05:53 PM	#4
greenishmama Rose Trellis Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: northern New York State Posts: 1,769	Re: swollen gland behind ear- causes? Thank you for your info. I heard from nurse today and as for cause of swollen glands she just said could be an infection or virus or something going on that is causing the gland to do it's job. but I want to know WHAT!! I haven't been feeling wonderful but haven't been getting enough/good sleep the past week or so, so it's hard to tell right now. I don't understand how I could have an infection or virus somewhere without other symptoms. The gland behind the ear drains the scalp and outer ear. so if I had an infection elsewhere it should not be activating that gland. which leaves me to worry about what could be going on inside my head. She said the dr. could order another ultrasound in a month if it's still swollen. but that still would not tell WHY it 's swelling. one thing I'm curious about is that I've been doing T-tap. Not sure how many readers know about that exercise method. It is supposed to promote lymph system activation/circulation so wondering if that is causing it.... __________________ married to wonderful DH since '96 "H" 9/2005 "h" 5/2008

07-30-2015, 07:04 PM	#5
Soliloquy Rose Garden Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,860	Re: swollen gland behind ear- causes? Lots of T-Tappers here, including me! It seems possible that all the lymphatic pumping could be working the glands more than normal, causing them to enlarge, but I'm not sure. It's not uncommon to have swollen lymph nodes for awhile without ever knowing why. We can have subclinical infections fairly often without realizing it. If you feel well then perhaps your immune system is just doing it's job.

07-31-2015, 01:59 PM	#7
Pearl In Oyster Rose Garden growing every day Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: California Posts: 4,100	Re: swollen gland behind ear- causes? I had something similar once and it turned out to be a blocked salivary gland. Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk __________________ Maggie Celebrating resurrection life after a heart transplant on 2/21/15! Married since 8/28/04 to a big Bear Mama to sweet & spirited Charlotte , born 9/08, determined & imaginative Zachary , born 6/12, one I'll see in heaven 10/10, and easy-going Elliott , born 4/14!

08-03-2015, 09:11 AM	#9
Indigo Climbing Rose Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,144	Re: swollen gland behind ear- causes? I was just reading something about that. Have you had any trouble with your eye on that side? We thought my dd had conjunctivitis and wedmd said w/that you can get swollen glands by the ears. Just thought I'd throw that out there as a possibility. When we worked with a chiropractor regularly, she often did massage to decrease gland swelling. You could probably find some info online about the proper technique. __________________ Joyful AP SAHM to 4 amazing children. Celebrating 23 years of marriage to my best friend. "Today is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

08-03-2015, 11:44 AM	#10
Soliloquy Rose Garden Why climb a mountain? Because it's there! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Selkirk Mountains Posts: 52,860	Re: swollen gland behind ear- causes? Gentle dry skin brushing off your whole body might help, too.

X vBulletin 3.8.3 Debug Information
Page Generation 0.08387 seconds Memory Usage 7,828KB Queries Executed 14 (?)
More Information
Template Usage: (1)SHOWTHREAD (1)ad_footer_end (1)ad_footer_start (1)ad_header_end (1)ad_header_logo (1)ad_navbar_below (1)ad_showthread_beforeqr (1)ad_showthread_firstpost (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_sig (1)ad_showthread_firstpost_start (2)bbcode_quote (1)cyb_flashimagebanners (1)footer (1)forumjump (1)forumrules (1)gobutton (1)header (1)headinclude (1)navbar (3)navbar_link (60)option (10)post_groan_box (1)post_groan_box_bit (1)post_groan_javascript (1)post_groan_navbar_search (1)post_groan_postbit_legacy (10)post_thanks_box (2)post_thanks_box_bit (1)post_thanks_javascript (1)post_thanks_navbar_search (1)post_thanks_postbit_legacy (10)postbit_legacy (10)postbit_onlinestatus (72)postbit_reputation (10)postbit_wrapper (4)showthread_bookmarksite (1)smqre_editor_button (1)spacer_close (1)spacer_open (1)tagbit_wrapper Phrase Groups Available: global inlinemod postbit posting reputationlevel showthread	Included Files: ./showthread.php ./global.php ./includes/init.php ./includes/class_core.php ./includes/config.php ./includes/functions.php ./includes/class_hook.php ./includes/functions_notice.php ./mobiquo/smartbanner.php ./mobiquo/include/classTTConnection.php ./mobiquo/smartbanner/head.inc.php ./includes/functions_bigthree.php ./includes/class_postbit.php ./includes/class_bbcode.php ./includes/functions_reputation.php ./includes/adminfunctions_template.php ./includes/functions_misc.php ./includes/functions_post_thanks.php ./includes/functions_post_groan.php Hooks Called: init_startup cache_permissions fetch_threadinfo_query fetch_threadinfo fetch_foruminfo style_fetch cache_templates global_start parse_templates fetch_musername notices_check_start global_setup_complete showthread_start template_groups template_safe_functions template_compile showthread_getinfo forumjump showthread_post_start showthread_query_postids showthread_query bbcode_fetch_tags bbcode_create showthread_postbit_create postbit_factory postbit_display_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_start post_thanks_function_post_thanks_off_end post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_start post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_end post_thanks_function_thanked_already_start post_thanks_function_thanked_already_end post_groan_function_post_groan_off_start post_groan_function_post_groan_off_end post_groan_function_fetch_groans_start post_groan_function_fetch_groans_end post_groan_function_groaned_already_start post_groan_function_groaned_already_end post_groan_function_fetch_groan_bit_start post_groan_function_show_groan_date_start post_groan_function_fetch_groan_bit_end post_groan_function_fetch_post_groan_template_start post_groan_function_fetch_post_groan_template_end reputation_image bbcode_parse_start postbit_imicons bbcode_parse_complete_precache bbcode_parse_complete postbit_display_complete error_fetch post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_bit_start post_thanks_function_show_thanks_date_start post_thanks_function_fetch_thanks_bit_end post_thanks_function_fetch_post_thanks_template_start post_thanks_function_fetch_post_thanks_template_end tag_fetchbit_complete forumrules showthread_bookmarkbit navbits navbits_complete showthread_complete
Messages: