Swelling Behind My Left Ear

The swelling behind my left ear is getting larger for the last month or so and has shown some redness. I am planning to go see a doctor to see whether I need a surgery to remove some bone or thing from it. My problem is since I have no health insurance for some time, therefore I have not been to a doctor for a regular or annual check-up.

Now I am very concerned about this swelling. Furthermore, some friends of mine have seen this swelling and have suggested to me that I need to get this thing remove as soon as possible.

Without any health or medical insurance I know that I have to shell out a big bucks for the surgery and my financial pocket is very tight. Please provide any advices.

I am 42, male, live in Tacoma-Washington. Any great doctor treating this symptom in my area that you would recommend? I need to see a doctor pretty soon because the swelling is getting worse each day. Thanks a million :-(

Sonny LE
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[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This could be mastoiditis, Sebaceous gland enlargement, cervical lymphadenopathy or parotitis.

Have you seen an ENT specialist or your doctor for your symptoms? Do you have any associated symptoms of pain, discharge, fever, etc?

'Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid process, the portion of the temporal bone of the skull that is behind the ear. It is usually caused by untreated acute otitis media (middle ear infection) .'

You could read more about the condition at the following links -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastoidectomy

and

http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic306.htm

Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.

Post us about what your doctor advises.

Regards.

[Sammie4258]

Hey,, someone mentioned to me the other day that you can get some medical financial help when you don't have health insurance. They didn't give me much  info about it other than to log on.  It's call a HEALTH CARD.  I would just google health card and see what you can come up with.
good luck to you. Hope everything works out for you,  Best wishes.