I have a protuberance in the left side of my skull

[cr1stina]

Hello,
I have a protuberance in the left side of my skull, about 2 inches above my ear, it feels like a bump, though I haven´t hit my head nor had any traumas there. I have felt it before, but now I think it might be growing. It does not have a big size, though it can be particularily felt.
What should I do? Is this something I have to be worried about?
Thank you for you help

[Dr. Safaa Mahmoud]

Hello,

Diagnosis of any swelling mandates direct clinical examination. Diagnosis of any lump would be easier when associated symptoms and signs are present. Characters of the swelling like mobility, tenderness, pain, consistency (soft, firm or hard) and any systemic symptoms like fever and weight loss are very important too.
However, at this site it could be of bone origin or soft tissue origin.
Bony swellings are fixed and hard in consistency. This might be the result of any old trauma that when healed formed this swelling or from tumors.

Soft tissue swellings like:
- Folliculitis which is inflammation of the hair follicle forming a swelling that is soft to firm, painful or tender, warm and may decline in size or disappear after recovery from the infection.

- Lipoma, a benign tumour of the fat cell that is felt soft mobile and not painful or tender unless inflamed and it becomes bigger in size too.

- Sebaceous gland (fat secreting gland) when blocked forms a swelling that is soft to firm, may be painful and increase in size when inflamed.

I would advise you to follow up with your doctor, he might request an X-ray of the skull if any bone lesions is suspected.
Pleas keep us updated.
Best regards.