Anyone ever experienced swollen glands around the ear area? I'm noticing one in my neck (like where you usually get them when you're sick), behind my ear and in front of my ear now. It's just on my left side. They're not super super noticeable but definitely tender when I touch the area(s) and feel kinda achy? Have I lost my mind?
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This happened to me once when I had an ear get infected (like from a piercing. not inside the ear). It was so bad I couldn't turn my head
It could indicate an infection somewhere. If it's really painful I'd see the doctor.
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I've gotten them from ear infections before too, just from the lymph nodes getting swollen. Or a sinus infection will do it too sometimes.
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@MaryM: It's not that painful (yet). I was wondering about an infection... My teeth on that side feel fine though. I just can't take Tylenol or anything to relieve the pain which just makes me focus on it a bit more!
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I had that a few days ago. It turned in a cold. Booooooooooooo.
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@Grace: Oh man, I hope not... I'll DIE without cold medicine! Or, at least turn into a huge baby... It's weird. Neck glands I'm use to as a cold symptom. But this is like in front of and behind my ear? So bizarre.
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@LindsayInNY: Yeah. It is a weird cold. I've got that foggy congested feeling and a sore throat, but I don't have a stuffed up or runny nose. If you do get it, invest in some breathe-right nasal strips, a humidifyer, cough drops, and Vick's vapo-rub. That's the only thing that got me through pregnancy colds.
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Are your ears pierced? This happened to me before. It was from my earring.
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@Leialou: They are. But have been for yeaaars. I'm wondering if something is aggravated despite feeling okay?
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I had a cold this past wk and had them all over my ear and neck!
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@mrsjyw: I hope this isn't going to end up a cold... I've never had them around my ear before! So bizarre!
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Yup, they are swollen lymph nodes
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@Seattlemom: I didn't know I had them in front of and behind my ear though!! Neck and groin is usually the affected areas. Just wonder what would be causing the sensitivity/tenderness?
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@LindsayInNY: I have no idea! I hope you feel better! Why no Tylenol?
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I'm sure it's not, but last year around this time I had bell's palsy and it often starts with swollen lymph nodes around the ear. If you start to get a severe pain behind your ear definitely go see a doctor right away. It doesn't sound like that tho since you have pain in front of your ear too, but wanted to tell you just in case. Hope you feel better soon.
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@LindsayInNY: Do you chew a lot of gum, or grind your teeth?
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@LindsayInNY: Anything like flu/strep throat/ear infection can cause those. Also if you have any small scratches or abrasions on your hands/arms/neck/head where some germs could have crept in, it could be a reaction to that.
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@78h2o: Wasn't sure how okay it would be but the nurse this morning said it was fine!
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So, according to the RE nurse this morning, she thinks its from an excess production of bodily mucous that happens in early pregnancy - excess saliva, etc. But apparently it's my glands that may be backing up? So bizarre. I'm hoping Tylenol helps when it gets bad but otherwise I'm going to wait it out and hope it passes! So strange!
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@LindsayInNY: did they mention anything about eustacian tubes? I get a lot of pain right below my ears, kind of along my jawline, when my tonsils or glands are swollen because my eustacian tubes get blocked. Applying warm wet washcloths to the area really helps!
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@mrs. wagon: She didn't but also recommended trying Sudafed to see if that helps? I take Zyrtec daily which dries up "stuff" (runny nose, etc.). Sudafed is usually for sinus congestion but DH was told to take it to release pressure on/around his eustacian tubes. So maybe you're onto something?? Just a warm washcloth around my ear would help? I notice a small swollen gland in front of my ear, behind my ear and on my throat (like you would get when you're sick).
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@mrs. wagon: may be on to something with the heat. I get horrid sinus headaches and a heat pack usually helps things loosen up and drain.
I hope you get help soon. I had a blocked eustachian tube earlier this year (for like a month) and even though it wasn't painful, it was seriously the most annoying thing ever!
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@LindsayInNY: Yup, I just put a warm wet washcloth and press both sides while I watch TV... I can feel the pressure relief and draining pretty quickly! (so grossss)
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DH gets this sometimes and our friend who is a pediatrician said to suck on a lemon and for some reason it worked. I think it has to do with his saliva glands.
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@MaryM: @mrs. wagon: Definitely worth a try! Beats taking medication constantly (despite being told it's okay to...).
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@bunnylove08: That makes sense... I've hit the early stage of excess saliva. My mouth won't stop watering! So I wonder if that would be doing it too?! So bizarre! I'll try anything though!
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I have "immature" (lol) Eustacian tubes, and they were clogged a lot during pregnancy. I made moist heat packs with rice tied in a sock and microwaved, and it helped so much!
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@Boheme: So just microwave and place on the area? It's just my left ear area. This seriously blows my mind that it even happens!
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@LindsayInNY: Yes! Do like 30 seconds at a time until it's the right temp for you. Feels so good!
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This happened to me for the first month I was pregnant. This was my first symptom. I thought I was sick, not pregnant!
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@LindsayInNY: I second the rice sock. The heat feels amazing. I used one when I had a horrible catch in my neck and it made everything bearable instead of not being able to turn my head at all.
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@wheres_c: Such an odd pregnancy symptom! If there were more sick symptoms going on, I would think that too but it's just the glands. Nothing in the head, nose, throat, etc. I sure hope this is a temporary, short lived thing though!
@avivoca: I hope it helps!! DH isn't too on board with medication and I don't really blame him.
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