Q:

Last week I found a small lump behind my left ear. It is red in appearance and maybe about the size of a shirt button more or less. It seems to have gone down in size recently, but I am curious if it is a cyst or not. I don't know if it is shaving related or an infection, but it started out more as an annoyance and now seems to be reducing in size. Any thoughts?

 

A:

Cysts, soft tissue infections and lymph nodes can cause a lump behind the ear.  If it is reducing in size on its own, probably nothing needs to be done, but if it is tender, hard, or redness is spreading, we should take a look.
Warm rag hot packing is the most effective way to decrease a skin infection but won't change a cyst or lymph node.

~The Doc