Hard gland behind ear of four year old child. (pain, infection, swollen)

[Redbootz]

Hi I am really after any advice from anyone who has experienced something similar or knows anything about glands. We have already seen a doctor and told to wait a couple weeks before going back.

I’m just worried as it’s a gland behind my four year olds ear on the mastoid bone. It feels hard and isn’t the soft rubbery feel you wold expect. The doctor said it was fairly hard but he didn’t seem too concerned with that even though it’s a worrying sign. She also doesn’t have any symptoms of illness and with the whole covid situation we have not seen any people or been anywhere to pick up any illness which is another worry as there is no explanation for it. It is not painful so no explanation for a reactive node. She also had a Ct for no reason last year (long story) but she was scanned without good cause. So obviously I am now panicking that any thing unusual is from this.

I googled which wasn’t good and I just don’t know if it’s worth pushing for an ultrasound as we don’t know how long it’s been there and only noticed it a couple days ago. And just if anyone has seen this on there children and had no symptoms. And like I said we have been to see a doctor and we will go back if not better I’m just really concerned and hope for some advice.

Thank you.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by Redbootz

She also had a Ct for no reason last year (long story) but she was scanned without good cause. So obviously I am now panicking that any thing unusual is from this.

Was the CT scan of this area? If not, any connection between the two is nil. Even if it was of this area any connection between the two is unlikely. Probably need to have had multiple CTs to even consider that. IMHO (and I'm not a doctor) returning for a re-check in two weeks is reasonable. If it is a swollen lymph node that's a sign the immune system is doing its job. If no more develop, there's no pain or other symptoms, there's no progressing infection her immune system isn't handling. The lump could resolve on its own and there might never be any obvious explanation. Follow up with her doctor as suggested.

[wit-nit]

OP you might want to see a specialist like an ENT doctor. I had a similar situation when younger and it was a mastoid infection..
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/art...ut%20treatment.
Mastoiditis is a serious infection in the mastoid process, which is the hard, prominent bone just behind and under the ear. Ear infections that people fail to treat cause most cases of mastoiditis. The condition is rare but can become life-threatening without treatment.

[guidoLaMoto]

Originally Posted by Redbootz

We have already seen a doctor and told to wait a couple weeks before going back.

Just relax. It sounds like you're in good hands.

The gland isn't hot, red &/or tender, nor is she acting sick, so no need to do anything immediately. Waiting a couple weeks to see if it changes is the right thing to do at this point.

Kids that age are always getting bombarded with harmless bugs they've never seen before, teething etc etc that can cause nodes in the neck/throat to flare up.

If she does start acting sick, or if the node starts to hurt, turn red &/or swell rapidly, then see the doc again sooner....And don't go messin' with it too much! You may irritate it and make it look worse than it is.

[atlguy44]

Was the Dr a Pediatrician or FP?

[Redbootz]

She had a CT to her head and her neck and we are in a dispute as to how much exposure she has with complete inept health care professionals so I can’t take any chances. We are going to get it scanned with ultrasound and have the doc calling back tomorrow. She had leg pain a month ago and I’ve just realised it’s the same side as the swollen gland so def now in more of a state about it.