What causes bump on neck? Get insights on the causes of small, painful, pimple like bumps on the back of neck, side, below, how to get rid of and pictures.
What Causes Bumps on Neck
There are many causes of bump on the neck of an individual and the common ones are swollen lymph nodes and enlarged salivary glands. The bumps on neck that result due to swollen lymph nodes are caused by:
- Bacterial or viral infection
- Cancer
- Thyroid disease
- Allergic reaction
While those bumps on neck that result due to enlarged salivary glands are caused by the following:
- Infection
- Mumps
- Salivary gland tumor
- Stone in salivary duct
Bump on Neck Causes
- Swollen lymph nodes.
This disease that result to bump on neck is facilitated by the following illness: ear infection, the cold or flu, sinus infection, HIV infection, infected tooth, mononucleosis, skin infection and strep throat.
- Thyroid cancer
It is majorly linked to inherited condition such that there is genetic predisposition from the parents who have a history of thyroid cancer risk factor. Also, when there is excess exposure to radiations, low level of iodine and overproduction of growth hormones.
- Hodgkin’s disease
People with Epstein Barr Virus infection are prone to develop Hodgkin lymphoma which will later causes glandular fever that may result to growth of bump on neck. Smoking can increase the risk of developing Hodgkin lymphoma.
- HIV/AIDS
An infection from bacteria and viruses, including HIV, can cause swelling of the lymph nodes. The swelling occurs because the infection reaches the nodes through lymph fluid.Once infected, they become swollen and may look like hard bumps about the size of beans.
- Stones in the salivary duct
The stones cause no symptoms as they form, but if they reach a size that blocks the duct, saliva backs up into the gland, causing pain and swelling. Inflammation and infection within the affected gland may follow causing bump on the neck to develop.
- Goiter
Although a lack of dietary iodine is the main cause of goiter in many parts of the world, this is not often the case in countries where iodine is routinely added to table salt and other foods. Graves’ disease. Goiter can sometimes occur when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism).
- Mouth cancer
Risk factors for developing mouth cancer include: smoking or using products that contain tobacco. Drinking alcohol and smokers who are also heavy drinkers have a much higher risk compared to the population at large.
Infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts and also , appearance of nodes trying to fight the virus leading to growth of bumps on neck.
- Bacterial Pharyngitis
Pharyngitis is caused by a bacterial infection. Bacterial infections require antibiotics. The most common bacterial infection of the throat is strep throat, which is caused by Group A streptococcus. Rare causes of bacterial pharyngitis include gonorrhea, chlamydia, and corynebacterium which cause appearance of bumps on neck.
- Lupus
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body’s natural defense system (immune system) attacks healthy tissues instead of attacking only things like bacteria and viruses. This causes inflammation. Although some people with lupus have only mild symptoms, the disease is life long and can become severe leading to bump on neck.
- Throat cancer
These mutations cause cells to grow uncontrollably and continue living after healthy cells would normally die. The accumulating cells can form a tumor in throat which in turn leads to development of bump on neck.
- Wry neck
It develops neck pain and stiffness, which is often accompanied by spasm of the surrounding neck muscles.
This causes neck pain and an inability to turn neck through its full range of motion. Wry neck can also be referred to as acute wry neck since the onset is sudden. It can also be the result of damage to the neck muscles or blood supply leading to growth of bumps on neck.
- Herpes
Herpes gladiatorum is characterized by a rash with clusters of sometimes painful fluid-filled blisters, often on the neck, chest, face, stomach, and legs. The infection is often accompanied by lymphadenopathy (enlargement of the lymph nodes), fever, sore throat, and headache.
- Food allergy
It is usually accompanied by symptoms such as a tingling sensation of the mouth, swelling of the tongue and throat, hives, skin rashes, vomiting, abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, a drop in blood pressure, or even a loss of consciousness.
- Abscessed Tooth
It is believed that symptoms of an infected tooth include a toothache that is gnawing or throbbing in nature, a bitter taste in the mouth, swollen neck glands and pain when eating. Other symptoms of this medical problem include bad breath and jaw swelling.
Bump on Back of Neck
Most swollen glands or bumps under the skin are not cause for concern. The glands (lymph nodes) on either side of the neck, under the jaw, or behind the ears commonly swell when a person has a cold or sore throat.
Glands can also swell and become tender after an injury, such as a cut or bite, or when a tumour or infection occurs in the mouth, head, or neck leading to growth of bump on neck.
A bump caused by cancer is usually hard, irregularly shaped, and firmly fixed under the skin or deep in tissue. Although they usually do not cause pain, some types of cancerous bumps are painful. Most bumps are not caused by cancer.
The bumps can be large and noticeable or sometimes small and tender to touch. Depending on the cause, the nodules on neck can appear on back of neck right hand side near your hairline.
Here are the main causes of bumps on the neck:
- Bump on back of neck cancer
The possible cause of bump on back of the neck could be a cancer of the neck and throat. As pointed earlier, most bumps in neck are benign. However, cancer is also a possible cause for swelling on back of your neck.
- Bump on back of neck HIV
A bump on back of neck could be an indication of viruses such as HIV. If you have a nodule on back of your neck, it could be the onset of HIV infection. If you are a patient recently infected with HIV you may notice neck mass.
- Diabetes
A neck bump could be related to diabetes. People with skin problems are commonly linked to diabetes. Itchy bump on back of neck can be attributed to many causes such as skin, poor flow of blood or underlying condition such as diabetes.
- Bacterial infection
A bacterial infection is one of the risk causes for neck and throat problems. Such infection always leads to inflammation and a swelling on back of neck. These infections can be treated with prescription of antibiotics. Infection of bacteria can cause strep throat leading swollen lymph nodes and glands.
- Injury of a neck muscle
A swollen bump on back of neck can be caused by physical injury of the neck muscle or tendon. If the muscle of the neck are damaged or injured, the part of the muscle that is injured will stick out forming a bump.
- Big Hard bump on back of neck tumor
A swelling on back of neck that appears as a bump could be caused by tumor. If you have a painless bump on back of neck, this can be caused by tumor. The bump arises from abnormal growth of tissues whether benign or malignant.
- Infectious mononucleosis on neck
The bump on your neck could be caused by mono which is a group of symptoms caused by Epstein – Barr virus (EBV). The virus is spread through oral sex primarily body fluids such as saliva. Mono can be hard to distinguish from other common viruses such as flu.
- Painless bump in neck Lipoma
A lump in and behind the neck sometimes found on the right hand side near the hairline can be lipoma. A lipoma is typically a harmless fat deposit found under the skin surface. A lipoma is basically a growth of fatty tissue that develops under the skin surface.
- Painless bump on back of neck weight gain
The bump on back of neck can be caused by increase in weight. Abnormal weight gain can cause a bump on back of your neck. The lump on back of neck as a result of weight gain is always painless and doesn’t have any harmful effect on your health.
Bump on Side of Neck
Bumps can appear on various parts of the neck including the sides, in and on back of neck. Bumps that appear in the neck are also referred to as a neck mass. The bumps can be large and noticeable or sometimes small and tender to touch.
Depending on the cause, the nodules on neck can appear on back of neck right hand side near your hairline such that an individual may feel a movable nodule that can be painful or sometimes painless.
Here are few discussions on what causes bump on side of neck:
- Infections
Swollen glands mostly develop when the body fights infections from colds, insect bites, or small cuts. More serious infections may cause the glands to enlarge and become firm, hard, or tender. Examples of such infections include:
- Bacterial infections such as streptococcus bacterium and sweat gland abscess.
- Viral infections, such as Mononucleosis and mumps.
- Non-cancerous (benign) growths
Types of non-cancerous (benign) growths, which are usually harmless, include:
- A cyst, a sac of fluid and debris that sometimes hurts.
- Tonsillitis, which may also cause swelling in the neck.
- Overgrown scar tissue (keloid).
Small Bump on Neck
Spots on the neck could be due to an esthetic problem and they could also be a symptom of a more serious skin problem. Fungal infections can show signs of small white spots on the skin. Likewise, bacterial infections can lead to small pimple-like zits on the neck, usually with pus.
Here are some few causes of these small bumps on neck:
- Whiteheads and zits from clogged pores
They are majorly common to individual with oil skin especially around the neck. Whiteheads are formed when excess oil from the sebaceous glands clogs up the pores or hair follicles on the skin. This sebum gets trapped along with other debris and some bacteria. Whiteheads and zits can appear as tiny white bumps on neck.
- Raised white bumps on neck after shaving or waxing
Sometimes shaving or removing hair around the neck can result to raise bumps. Poor shaving techniques cause the skin to be irritated. The irritation can easily turn into a razor rash. When razor rash or waxing bumps are not treated, they can turn into a white rash on the neck.
- Allergic reaction
Strong allergic reactions can develop causing a lot of swelling and redness of the neck as well as the scalp. The most common signs of an allergic reaction on the neck or face are small red bumps. White bumps on the neck from allergy, especially those occurring around the naval may also are caused by irritation of the skin by fluoride containing toothpastes and some makeups.
- Keratosis pilaris
It is a skin condition that leads to small, hard bumps that may make the skin characterized by sandpaper features. Buildup of a protein called keratin keratin under the skin leads to the little raised bumps to form. Atopic dermatitis and genetic predisposition may all cause the small.
- Calcium deposits under skin
They are small bumpy lesions can develop on the skin or under the skin. These can be calcium deposits. The process of forming white calcium deposits under the skin or on the skin is called calcinosis.
Painful Bump on Neck
These are common to human beings especially to people living in tropical areas and in most cases they are harmless despite them being painful. These bumps on skin are caused by the following:
- Mosquito bite allergy
This bite by mosquito is mostly common in humid tropical area where female mosquito which is more attracted to heat in human blood land on skin then makes a bite. The bite can cause soft bumps which become pink, red and itchy.
- Skin lesions
This refers to abnormal skin growth or appearance that makes them to have itchy bumps on neck as compared the area not affected. Skin lesions are typically caused by damage to the tissue, which causes abnormal regrowth. Skin lesions examples are; issues as moles, warts, skin tags, cysts and others.
- Acne
There occurrence usually appears as pimples as a result of blocked pores on the skin layer due to excessive oil application or accumulation of dead skin.
- Scabies
This refers to skin infection caused by Sarcoptes scabiei and once they spread into skin, they can cause itching on the skin with formation of pimple-like rashes. The rash can consist of tiny pimple-like bumps that are itchy on skin and the burrow tracks of the mite can be seen on the skin as tiny raised or discolored lines.
- Impetigo
It is a highly contagious skin condition and it occurs on the face, neck, and hands of young children especially those who wear diapers tend to get it around the diaper area. It is caused by streptococcus pyogenes and staphylococcus aureus.
Bump on Neck below Ear
You may have had them many times in the past, but never noticed because you can’t see that area very often. Bumps below the ear have a number of different causes and can come in a variety of different types. There are numerous reasons why a bump could develop below your ear such as:
- Pimples in the ear can develop wherever a hair follicle or pore becomes clogged. The skin below your ears is no exception. While pimples are less likely to develop there due to the area’s relative isolation, it can happen.
- Any infection that causes swelling in the throat can cause a bump to appear below the ears. Mononucleosis, for instance, commonly occurs with throat swelling and the above-mentioned lymphadenopathy.
- Epidermoid cysts are sometimes called sebaceous cysts, although this term is misleading. A true sebaceous cyst originates from oil-producing sebaceous glands and is filled with sebum, not keratin.
- An abscess can develop around foreign bodies, infections, or form out of existing cysts.
- A growth from the tissue of the salivary gland, mastoid bone, or skin behind your ear could be a tumor. These result when cells multiply uncontrollably instead of self-destructing at the end of their life cycle.
Bump on neck Behind Ear
It can be surprising to find something on your body, such as a bump, that isn’t supposed to be there. However, it may alarm you to learn that bump behind ear are actually quite common. Bumps behind the ear have a number of different causes and can come in a variety of different types.
The most common causes are also the most benign, but some more serious ones also exist:
- Acne: Pimples in the ear can develop wherever a hair follicle or pore becomes clogged. The skin behind your ears is no exception. While pimples are less likely to develop there due to the area’s relative isolation, it can happen.
- Lymphadenopathy: This is a fancy way of saying a swollen lymph node. They are ovular, vaguely kidney-shaped organs that are distributed throughout the body. Lymph nodes also produce lymph fluid in response to infection. There is a lymph node in the neck that can sometimes appear as a bump behind the ear if it begins to swell.
- Infection: Any infection that causes swelling in the throat can cause a bump to appear behind the ears. Mononucleosis, for instance, commonly occurs with throat swelling and the above-mentioned lymphadenopathy.
- Lipoma: A lipoma is a fatty lump that forms between the layers of your skin. These can appear anywhere on the body and are almost always harmless. Depending on their size and the layers they form between, a lipoma is not always noticeable.
- Cysts: The main form of cyst that can appear behind the ear is an epidermoid cyst. Your skin (epidermis) is topped by a thin layer of cells that your body regularly sheds. Sometimes these cells move deeper into the skin and begin replicating when they are supposed to fall off (i.e. due to a damaged follicle or oil gland). These cells form the walls of the cyst and begin secreting keratin.
- Sebaceous cysts: Epidermoid cysts are sometimes called sebaceous cysts, although this term is misleading. A true sebaceous cyst originates from oil-producing sebaceous glands and is filled with sebum, not keratin. Having said that, true sebaceous cysts—while rare—can also form behind or on the ear.
- Abscess: Abscesses and cysts are similar in the sense that they are enclosed “capsules” filled with fluid. The main difference is that an abscess is filled with pus. An abscess can develop around foreign bodies, infections, or form out of existing cysts.
- Mastoiditis: The mastoid bone runs directly behind the ear. Ear infections can sometimes spread to the mastoid bone and result in swelling or lumps behind the ear.
- Tumor: A growth from the tissue of the salivary gland, mastoid bone, or skin behind your ear could be a tumor. These result when cells multiply uncontrollably instead of self-destructing at the end of their life cycle. While only a malignant tumor is cancer, a benign one can still be problematic.
Bump on Neck like Pimple
The appearances of spots around the neck that look like pimples can be embarrassing to some extend making an individual to lack self-esteem when mingling with their peers since some may feel it is contagious when it is not the case:
- Hives
They develop due to allergy to some foods, dust from environmental pollution and even medication. They can appear anywhere on the body raising some spots or they form a cluster leading to formation of a large bump on skin that would last for a shorter period.
- Psoriasis
It forms a cluster of thick rashes that develops into white patches that causes itching especially around the neck and lower back. These rashes are not contagious and they keep on recurring due to failure of immune system.
- Acne
This is usually associated with changes in hormones majorly in teens especially those at puberty which leads to appearance of pimples-like of the whiteheads or blackheads which is caused by blocking of pores on skin by oil or bacterial around the neck.
- Shingles
This is a disease caused by chicken pox virus which causes the appearance of rash of raised, tingling spots and eventually become painful blisters on the neck and buttocks that can take weeks and even months for the pain, itching and rash to subside.
- Skin Tags
It forms a small flap of flesh-colored tissue that protrudes from a bump especially near the neck, shoulder, chest, armpit, under the breasts, or wherever there is friction majorly in women and other senior persons are prone to this skin ailment.
Bump on Neck that Moves
This could be a lymph node. Supraclavicular lymph node can enlarge if there is any infection or inflammation in the surrounding area.
The stones cause no symptoms as they form, but if they reach a size that blocks the duct, saliva backs up into the gland, causing pain and swelling. Inflammation and infection within the affected gland may follow causing bump on the neck to develop.
A swelling on back of neck that appears as a bump could be caused by tumor. If you have a painless bump on back of neck, this can be caused by tumor. The bump arises from abnormal growth of tissues whether benign or malignant.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This means that the body’s natural defense system (immune system) attacks healthy tissues instead of attacking only things like bacteria and viruses. This causes inflammation. Although some people with lupus have only mild symptoms, the disease is life long and can become severe leading to bump on neck.
How to Get Rid of Bump on Neck Home Remedies
Lipomas cannot be treated and will simply go away on their own, but all of the other causes of ear bumps have different remedies available. Some are even possible to do at home. Here are some ways of treating bump on neck at home:
- Bee Pollen
Bee pollen acts as a natural blood purifier and is effective against skin problems, like acne, sebaceous cysts, etc. For healing cysts, you are required to consume bee pollen, which consists of bee propolis, pollen, and royal jelly.
- Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is an antibiotic herb, which reduces inflammation. It helps in stimulating lymphatic flow and stop infection. Colloidal silver is also known for improving the immune system and is effective for healing sebaceous cyst.
- Anti-Fungal Creams
Anti-fungal creams also work great on severe and painful cysts. To cure sebaceous cysts, apply some anti-fungal cream directly on the infected area and cover it with a clean piece of cloth or bandage, if necessary.
- Honey
Honey is a topical wound dresser. For the treatment of sebaceous cyst, you need to prepare a poultice. Put wheatgrass or plantain in a blender and blend it. Add some honey in the paste and mix it well. Now, apply it directly on the cyst and cover it with a clean cloth. Leave it overnight.
- Turmeric
Turmeric is a good herbal remedy for curing cysts. It is an alternative method to treat cyst. For improving digestion and purifying blood, you are required to intake half teaspoon of turmeric powder in one cup of warm milk. For best results, consume turmeric added milk for 10 days.
- Hot Compress
Hot compress is useful for several health issues, including sebaceous cyst. If you want to cure sebaceous cyst, practice hot compress method. Hot compression facilitates draining out pus or thick liquid from cyst.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is also one of the natural remedies for sebaceous cyst. It possesses pain-relieving and healing properties. You are required to apply aloe vera gel directly on sebaceous cyst. A cool feeling will be experienced when aloe vera gel is applied on irritating cyst.
Bump on Neck Pictures
How does a bump on back of neck looks like? A bumpy neck or neck mass will have either a small or big lump behind your neck. Depending on the cause, the nodule can be hard or tender when touched.
A bump on neck can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases; there can be more related symptoms. Some people will have no symptoms. The following are some of the symptoms:
- A rash on the neck, the lump becomes red
- A pus or smelly discharge from the lump as a result of bacterial infection
- A movable swelling, tender to touch
- Itchiness on swelling on back of neck
- Change of the skin around the bump especially if the cause is cancer.
- Neck pain
If the above symptom does not disappear, individuals are encouraged to visit a physician to seek proper medication.