Lump under chin is a localized area of swelling that could occur anywhere on your chin. The lump could occur near throat, around neck, on the right or left side of neck. This kind of swelling can also be described as bump, a nodule, contusion, a tumor or a cyst. Depending on what is causing the lump, it may hurt, be very painful of painless. It is important to seek medical diagnosis to establish what the underlying cause of the bump is for easy diagnosis.
In most cases, both malignant and benign growth of skin and soft tissues under the chin may feel like a lump. In such cases, a biopsy or surgical removal of the cells can be used to determine whether cancer is present. A fluid-filled skin cyst may also form under the jawline or under the chin, these lumps are often firm, non-tender and slowly enlarging. Some people will develop the cyst at birth whereas other will have the bumps due to conditions such inflammation or tumor.
Lump under chin near throat
Lump under chin near throat will occur due to swollen gland on either side of the neck or around the throat. Usually, you do not have to worry about this kind of swelling as they can improve on their own without medical intervention. A lump near throat could indicate a simple infection such as a sore throat or cold sores (fever blisters).
When, however, the lump begin to get large and tender, it could indicate a more serious infection. for swollen lymph nodes near throat, the lumps may be painful or painless, they might also be soft or tender depending on what the underlying cause of the swelling is, they may also be single or multiple, increasing in size or remain the same until the infection clears.
Bacterial and viral infection are a common cause of swollen lymph nodes near the throat. A bacterial infection such as strep throat (a bacterial infection that makes your throat feel sore and scratchy, left untreated, this infection could lead to complications such as kidney inflammation and rheumatic fever which leads too painful inflamed joints). Strep throat is caused by streptococcus bacterium. A boil which is also caused by a bacterial infection, may develop when hair follicles becomes infected.
Lump under chin near throat can also be caused by a viral infection. Viral infection of the skin such as molluscum contagiosum that causes small pearly or flesh- colored bumps is a common cause of swollen glands around neck. Other common viral infection that may lead to this lumps includes:
- Measles, this is an infectious viral disease that causes fever and red rash on the skin. This infection is common in children, typically occurring in children.
- Rubella is also a contagious viral infection, if contracted in early pregnancy, the condition may cause fetal malformation.
- Chicken pox an infectious disease causing mild fever and an itchy skin rash with inflamed painful fluid-filled bumps (blisters)
- Mumps is an acute contagious viral disease caused by a paramyxovirus of the genus rubulavirus. The condition is marked by fever and swelling of the parotid glands
- Mononucleosis caused by Epstein-Barr virus, this condition is simply referred to as mono and is common in children, the condition causes fever, sore throat and fatigue
- AIDS, develops in the late stage of HIV, the syndromes makes it very hard for the body to fight off infection and some disease, with a weak immune system, your lymph glands tend to swell more often.
Lump under chin near throat may also be caused by a benign growth. A benign growth is a noncancerous tissue growth that mean this growth may not invade healthy tissues or spread to other cells. Noncancerous tissue growth are often harmless and can be left to heal on their own. Common noncancerous growth near throat will include the following:
- A lipoma, this is a benign tumor of fatty tissue that can occur on any part of the body. This lumps are smooth, rubbery, and dome-shaped and are easily movable under the skin.
- A skin cyst is a thin-walled hollow bump containing liquid secretion. Cyst occurring from condition such as acne are large and occur deep under the skin. those appearing on scalp, ear, face or the back are most likely to be caused by
- Salivary stones and other salivary gland problems such as inflammation and infection or a tumor may also cause the development of benign cyst near throat.
- Keloid bump is caused by the inflammation of fatty tissues under the skin causing overgrowth of tissues.
- Tonsillitis is a common cause of swelling around the neck.
Lump under chin under skin near neck
In most cases, swollen glands or lumps under the skin are not a cause for concern. Lymph glands around the neck, on right side, left side, back of the neck or near neck will often swell as a result of an infection. This gland will often swell due to cold sores or sore throats.
The glands under the skin will enlarge more and become very firm and tender as a result of a more serious underlying infection. These glands can also swell or enlarge due to physical injuries such as a cut or bite, or a simple infection around mouth or neck.
Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system that helps the immune system in fight infection. A lymph node located in the neck region are called cervical lymph nodes. These nodes are of two categories, the anterior and the posterior lymph nodes. These nodes work by delivering immune cells known as lymphocytes to areas where the immune response has been triggered.
Lump under chin cancer
Cancer is an abnormal growth of cell which tend to grow in an uncontrolled way. It is a condition where cells in a specific part of the body grow and reproduces uncontrollably. The cells have the ability to invade healthy body cells and destroy those including tissues and organs. Cancer cells can be of two type. Malignant (tend to be severe and becoming progressively worse, invade and destroy surrounding cells) and benign (a mass of tumor that lacks the ability to invade neighboring tissue or metastasize)
A lump caused by cancer is in most cases hard, irregular n shape and firmly fixed under the skin. Although they usually do not cause pain, at times cancerous lump under skin may be painful. Cancer can develop in any part of the body. Cancer that can form a lump under the chin are:
Lymphoma
This is the cancer of the lymph nodes. The common form of lymph glands cancer is non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The most common symptoms of the condition Is painless swelling of the nodes usually around neck, armpit or groin.
With lymphoma other symptoms will include; night sweats, weight loss, fever, itching of the skin and persistent coughing.
Thyroid cancer
This cancer occurs when abnormal cells begin to grow in the thyroid gland. Thyroid glands are shaped like butterfly and are located in front of the neck. This glands are responsible for secreting hormones that regulate the way your body uses energy, this is what keeps your body functioning in a normal state.
Melanoma cancer
According to the American Cancer society, melanoma skin cancer is a less common form of cancer. This form of cancer is malignant meaning it has the ability to grow and spread invading and destroying healthy surrounding tissue.
Sarcoma
Sarcoma is also a rare type of cancer. This cancer happens in different type of tissues. They grow in connective tissue, this are the cells that connect or support other tissues in the body. Sarcoma tumors are common in the bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, nerves, fat and blood vessels.
They are close to 50 types of sarcoma, all this can be group to either soft tissue sarcoma or bone sarcoma [WebMD]
Once diagnosed with cancer, treatment option will depend on the stage and the type of cancer. The options will include surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Lump under chin cold sore
Cold sores also called fever blister can also cause lumps to develop under the chin. Cold sore are a common viral infection known to cause small itchy and painful fluid filled blisters on lips and around the mouth. The blisters caused by sore throats are often groups together in patches. They are common and will often heal within a week or two.
Cold sores are contagious and can spread from one person to the other. They are caused by herpes simplex virus that enters the body through cuts. This viral infection will have the following symptoms:
- Severe pain on lips and around the mouth
- High fever especially in children
- Some people may develop sore throats
- Swollen gland on either side of neck
- Painful fluid filled lump under chin
Most case of cold sores will require no treatment as the condition will start to heal on their own. However if the blisters become painful and embarrassing, topical ointment and oral medication may be used. See your health care provider if the sores persist for more than two weeks.
Lump under chin bone
A lump under chin bone can be a sign of jaw cancer. Jaw cancer can be an extension of oral or mouth cancer. It can also mean you have a bone tumor. A bone tumor on lower jaw can be very painful and discomforting.
Common symptoms of bone tumor can include:
- a dull ache in the affected bone (lower jaw bone)
- pain that starts off as occasionally and then becomes severe and constant
- an insignificant injury may break out the already weak bone
- night sweats and fever
A benign bone tumor may not require treatment unless it begins to interfere with simple function like moving your jaws or chewing. Malignant cancer on the other hands can be treated using surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Lump under chin right side
Swollen lymph nodes on either side of chin, the neck can be caused by the swelling of the lymph node around the neck. Lymph nodes on the right side of the chin are more likely to indicate an infection on the right side of the body.
Infection such as tooth decay, swollen or infected gums and throat infection on the right side of the body are more likely to cause the swelling of the nodes on the right side of neck under the chin. Swollen nodes are common, harmless and painless. Most will require no treatment, as they can shrink and regain their normal state when the infection clears.
Lump under chin left side
Lump under the chin on lefts side unlike on the right side are likely to indicate an infection or injury on the left side of the body. Swollen nodes as mentioned are normal and can clear on their own without any medical intervention.
Lump under the chin on either side of the neck causing swollen nodes are most likely to be caused by the following:
- gingivitis or tooth decay due to poor oral hygiene
- tonsillitis
- sore throats
- cold sores or fever blister
- viral infection such as mono
- lupus or rheumatoid arthritis
Lump under chin area painful
Lumps are common and can occur on any part of your body. Depending on what the underlying cause of the lump is, some lump may be painful whereas others will not. Some lump under the chin may also be large in some people and small on others.
Left untreated, this lump may become painful, swollen and infected, when this happens, when this happens, you can find it difficult to talk, eat or open your jaws. Painful lump under the chin can also be caused by the swelling o enlarging of the lymph gland (nodes) that help the immune system fight infection and disease causing pathogens.
Understanding the actual cause of the lump can be very important in treating and getting rid of these bumps. Common causes of painful lump will include injury, tumor (both malignant and benign), viral and bacterial infections and many other conditions.
Lump under chin hurts to touch
Lumps under the chin may have a lot of different characteristics. Some lumps are painful whereas others are not, some may be firm and other will easily move when touched, some lumps are small whereas others are large, some may protrude and others will occur under the skin, all this will depend on the underlying cause of the bump and the type of bump.
Lipoma, a benign tumor of fatty tissue is an example of a lump under the skin that hurts when touched. A lipoma is a slow-growing fatty lump that is most often situated between your skin and the underlying muscles layer. The lump feels doughy and is not tend. It moves rapidly with slight finger pressure.
You should not pop or drain or pop a bump occurring under the skin. Doing so increases the chance of picking up either a viral or bacterial infection. This will cause the bump to become even more painful, larger or spread to other part or other people. A simple cold compress may help relieve the pain and bring down the swelling.
Lump under chin no pain
A painless lump is not uncommon. Most bumps are in fact painless and only become painful when infected or popped. A skin cyst under the chin is a common example of a lump with no pain. Skin cysts are fluid-filled bumps that lay just underneath the skin. These lumps are very common and harmless, they can also occur on any part of the body.
Though these lumps are painless and harmless, it might be difficult to tell the difference between this lumps and other serious ones that might require immediate medical care. It is therefore very important to have a medical diagnosis to determine whether or not the bump occurring under the chin is serious or can be left to heal on its own.
A painless cyst under chin is often round, dome-shaped bump. Most are often yellow or whitish with a dark plug through which you might be able to squeeze out the pus. Most will range in size, they do to hurt but can become tender, sore and red when infected. A common sign of an infected cyst is foul smelling pus from the lump.
Lump under chin diagnosis
Diagnosis of a lump under chin attempts to establish what the underlying cause of the lump might be. Your health care provider may do this by looking at the symptoms or asking you about your medical history.
For cancer such as melanoma, diagnosis of the condition will often begin with an examination of your skin. The doctor may take digital photographs of suspected tumor or growth under the chin to have them assessed by a specialist.
With a proper medical diagnosis of the lump, your healthcare provider will be able to correctly identify what the underlying cause of the lump is. This way correct medication can be administered getting rid of the lump and preventing it from recurring in the future. Diagnosis is an important part of treatment, it is important to have it performed by a professional and specialized health care provider. DO NOT DIAGNOSE YOURSELF.
Source and references
- Swollen gland and lump under skin: http://www.webmd.com/children/tc/swollen-glands-and-other-lumps-under-the-skin-topic-overview#1
- Lump and swelling: http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lumps-swellings/Pages/Introduction.aspx
- What could be the reason of lump under the chin: http://buddymd.com/cause-lump-under-chin
- Swollen glands, hernias and other lumps under skin: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/lumps
- Soft tissue sarcoma: http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/soft-tissue-sarcoma/types