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Neck lumps can be alarming, but they are usually harmless and temporary. They can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases, including infections, allergic reactions, and cancer. While most lumps are not cause for concern, it is important to consult a medical professional for a proper diagnosis, especially if the lump is persistent or accompanied by other symptoms. In some cases, an injured neck muscle may cause general swelling or a small lump to form under the skin, which usually heals on its own with rest.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Injury or torticollis |
| Lump type | Hard or soft to the touch, tender or painless |
| Location | In or under the skin, or from growth in the tissues and organs within the neck |
| Treatment | Rest, ice, massage, gentle neck stretches, frequent breaks, good posture |
| Related symptoms | Sore throat, difficulty swallowing, pain in the ear, trouble breathing, hoarse voice, skin changes, blood or phlegm in saliva, fever, swollen lymph nodes, inflamed or red eyes, headache, muscle pain |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle knots
While muscle knots themselves do not show up on scans, they can cause significant discomfort and affect your quality of life. The pain associated with muscle knots can linger for days or weeks and may radiate beyond the trigger point into the surrounding muscles. In rare cases, muscle knots may indicate a long-term or chronic pain condition.
To diagnose a muscle knot, an experienced professional such as a chiropractor will perform a physical examination, looking for a taut band of muscle, a tender nodule, and observing the patient's reaction to physical pressure. Treatment options focus on releasing the trigger point to reduce pain and increase mobility.
There are several ways to manage and treat muscle knots:
- Stretching: Gentle neck stretches and regular stretch breaks throughout the day can help prevent and relieve muscle knots.
- Ice and Heat Therapy: Alternating ice and heat on the affected area can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Massage: Self-massage or professional massage therapy can help release muscle knots. Trigger point massage involves applying firm pressure to the knot to encourage the muscle to release.
- Medical Treatments: In some cases, dry needling, myofascial release therapy, or injecting a numbing medicine into the trigger point may be recommended by a healthcare provider.
While most neck lumps are benign, they can be caused by various factors, including muscle strain or injury. It is important to consult a healthcare professional if you are experiencing neck lumps or persistent muscle knots to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
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Injury or torticollis
A lump in the neck can be alarming, especially if it is not within sight. Neck lumps can originate in many places due to the number of muscles, tissues, and organs in the vicinity. Most neck lumps are benign, but cancer is a possible cause, especially in adults over 50.
Torticollis can be congenital or acquired. Congenital torticollis is the most common type, usually resulting from a shortening and scarring of the muscle on one side of the neck. It is often noticed when the baby starts to gain more control of their head. Acquired torticollis, on the other hand, usually occurs in the first four to six months of a baby's life or later. It is often caused by swelling in the child's throat, which loosens the tissues surrounding the upper spine, allowing the vertebrae to move out of position. This type of torticollis can also be caused by gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), vision problems, medication reactions, scar tissue, arthritis of the neck, or Sandifer syndrome, a rare complication of head and neck surgeries.
In children and adults, torticollis may be caused by a sudden muscle spasm in the neck due to a minor injury or trauma, such as an awkward sleeping position. It can also be caused by inflammation in the neck or nearby areas, reactions to certain medications, or, rarely, a tumour in the back of the head or spine.
If you suspect that you or your child have torticollis, it is important to seek medical attention, especially if there are additional symptoms such as fever, swollen glands, headache, neck stiffness, or trouble swallowing. Treatment for torticollis usually includes gentle muscle stretches, position changes, heat packs, and massage.
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Insect bites
A strained neck muscle can cause a lump due to injury or torticollis, a spasm of the neck muscles. This type of lump is usually located at the front of the neck. However, it is important to note that lumps in the neck can have various other causes, including bacterial or viral infections, cancer, cysts, and thyroid issues.
Now, here is some information about insect bites:
Tick bites can be harder to spot and may not always cause itching or pain. They often leave a tiny hard lump or a rash, and sometimes a bullseye rash, indicating Lyme disease. Other potential symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint aches, chills, and irritation.
Lice bites, caused by head lice, body lice, or pubic lice, are tiny red bumps that can appear on the neck, scalp, shoulders, and other areas. These bites usually itch but do not hurt. In some cases, lice bites can lead to a large, uncomfortable skin rash, especially if scratching causes an infection. People with pubic lice may also experience lymph node swelling and irritation, burning, or itching in the eyes.
While most insect bites cause only mild symptoms, some can transmit diseases or trigger severe allergic reactions, especially in individuals with venom allergies. It is important to take precautions when traveling to areas with endemic insect populations and to seek immediate medical attention if experiencing a severe allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing, a choking sensation, wheezing, abdominal pain, dizziness, or fainting.
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Cysts
A strained neck muscle can cause a lump, but this is usually due to injury or spasm of the neck muscles, known as torticollis. However, cysts are also a common cause of lumps in the skin or just below the skin.
Types of Cysts
There are several types of cysts that can occur in the neck region, including:
- Thyroglossal duct cysts: These cysts are one of the benign neck masses and are characterised by the presence of thyroid follicles. They do not contain smooth muscle or cartilage.
- Lateral cervical cysts: These cysts contain gastric mucosa and are distinguished from cervical bronchogenic cysts by the absence of ciliated epithelium.
- Parathyroid cysts: These are rare lesions with a low surgical incidence rate, constituting only a small percentage of thyroid and parathyroid lesions. They typically occur in the anterior cervical triangle and may be functional or non-functional.
- Second branchial cleft cysts (BCCs): These are classified into four types based on their location in relation to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, carotid space, and pharyngeal wall. Type-II is the most common, occurring deep to the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
- Third branchial cleft cysts (BCCs): These are located in the posterior cervical space, posterior to the common or internal carotid artery and the sternocleidomastoid muscle.
- Nasopharyngeal cysts: These are rare and usually asymptomatic, often diagnosed incidentally on MRI scans. Large cysts may cause obstructive symptoms such as neck pain, stiffness, and vertigo.
- Tornwaldt cysts: These cysts occur in the midline bursa of the nasopharynx and can cause neck pain, stiffness, and vertigo due to prevertebral cervical muscle spasm.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The diagnosis of cystic masses in the neck often involves imaging techniques such as ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Treatment options may include surgical excision of the cyst, especially for noncancerous masses or cysts.
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Thyroid nodules
Several conditions can cause nodules in the thyroid gland, including overgrowth of thyroid tissue (thyroid adenoma), thyroid cysts, multinodular goitre, and, in rare cases, thyroid cancer. While most thyroid nodules are benign, a small proportion do contain thyroid cancer, so it is important to see a healthcare professional if you notice any swelling in your neck, especially if it affects your breathing or swallowing.
If a thyroid nodule is causing symptoms or is large and hard, a healthcare professional may recommend further evaluation and treatment. Ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration biopsy are commonly used to evaluate thyroid nodules and determine the need for further treatment. Treatment options may include surgery, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), or, in some cases, simply monitoring the nodule over time to see if it grows.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, an injured neck muscle may cause a small lump to form under the skin. This is usually a result of muscle knots, which are a sign of tense muscles.
Neck lumps can be hard or soft, tender or painless. They can be located directly under the skin or come from growth in the tissues and organs within the neck, such as the lymph nodes, thyroid gland, and neck muscles.
The most common cause of neck lumps is swollen lymph nodes, which indicate an ongoing infection that the body is trying to fight off. They can also be caused by thyroid nodules, cysts, or insect bites.
Treating the underlying cause of the neck lump will usually cause it to go away. In some cases, the lump may need to be surgically removed. Rest, ice, and massage can help reduce inflammation and prevent further lumps.
If the lump grows to 1 inch in diameter or larger, or does not shrink after 2 weeks, you should see a doctor. Any persistent lump at the back of the neck should be checked by a medical professional to rule out serious issues.
