I have had an ear ache that comes and goes for about a month, and a swollen lymph node by the achey ear that sometimes isn't swollen at all and some days is more swollen. About 4 months ago I had an ear infection for which I took antibiotic ear drops, but haven't been back to the doctor since, mostly because some days my ear isn't bothered at all, and then sometimes it's either plugged or feeling really achey. It's actually the swollen lymph node that's really worrying me. Is it normal for the swelling to go up and down so frequently?
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Yes, it is possible for a lymph node beside the ear to swell from time to time if there is an infection or inflammation inside the ear. There are many causes of ear pain. These include: impacted wax, swimmer’s ear, middle ear infection, fungal infection of outer canal, boil in outer canal, pinched nerve, benign intracranial hypertension, blocked Eustachian tube as seen in cold and sinusitis etc. TMJ, sore throat and tooth ache can cause referred pain to ear. It is difficult to diagnose on net. Please consult an ENT specialist. Taking care of the cause will take care of the lymph node swelling too.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!