Finding Lumps

I have a cysts on my ear lobes -- and I have had these for about five years (I am eighteen years old). These cysts range from small to large, depending on the day. Sometimes they become inflamed, but it's no big deal.

What I worry about is another lump, which my doctor said was a lymph node attempting to fight off the cysts in my earlobes. This lymph node was on my neck and there are a couple more above and below it (sort of like a line of them). None of them are very large, but even after the doctor told me it was fine, I still worry about them.

I think it's an anxiety thing, but I keep searching my body for other lumps. I feel around my sides and feel lots of things that I consider lumps, but they do not poke out of my skin (it's under my skin), so I suppose it's probably just my... flesh (or other things that are supposed to be there). I have become paranoid about it and earlier felt a spot on my arm (close to my arm pit) that could be a lump or nodule, but it could also be part of my muscle. And I don't know if I'm making something out of nothing or not.

I also have a couple pop up on my arm pits from time to time (I had a rash on my armpit that was apparently a fungal infection) so I'm not sure if that's why -- the rash hasn't gone away fully (mainly because I forget to use my medicine regularly on it).

Are these things I should be worrying about or am I just feeling my body to death for no reason? What sort of lumps should I be looking for? The ones that actually poke out of my skin?

Note: I also have fatigue and I think that could be caused by hypothyroidism, so I am getting a blood test Monday for that. Do I have to worry about these being cancerous? Would a blood test validate whether or not I have cancer?

Any help is appreciated

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The lumps in the armpits can be due to boils or cysts but the lump in the neck can be a swollen lymph node and this needs to be probed further. Lymphadenopathy (swollen lymph nodes) is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Other causes include allergic reactions, arthritis, cancer, metabolic diseases, and an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

So get evaluated for hypothyroidism and also get a FNAC( fine needle aspiration cytology) of the lymph nodes done.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[thedevilpup]

Thank you for your response. Can these lymph nodes be caused by the cysts in my earlobes?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Lymph nodes can become swollen if the cysts that you are having get infected.in such Cases surgical drainage of the cysts is required and then the lymph nodes slowly regress to their original size.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.