Lump Under The Chin: Causes & Treatment Options

A Lump under the Chin as the name suggests is an area of protuberance or swelling that occurs anywhere around the region of the chin. It is also termed as a nodule, bump, cyst, or a tumor. There can be numerous reasons for lump under the chin which includes infections, trauma, or even tumors. Depending on the actual cause, there may be solitary or multiple Lumps under the Chin. These lumps can be painful at times and based on the cause they may remain the same or increase in size rapidly.^{[1, 2, 3]}

If local infections are believed to be the cause of Lump under the Chin then it will appear more as a boil or an abscess. Some infections cause enlargement of lymph nodes which can be seen as lumps or bumps. These can be seen commonly around the jawbone. Sometimes, a trip to the woods resulting in bug bites may cause Lump under the Chin.^{[1, 2, 3]}

A Lump under the Chin can be quite a nuisance but in majority of the cases is not harmful. It is essential for people who are suspicious about the Lump under the Chin to consult with a physician for a cause and begin treatment for it.^{[1, 2, 3]} This article delves deep into the cause and treatment options for Lump under the Chin.

Some of the most common causes of Lump under the Chin include:

Lymph Node Swelling: Swelling in the lymph node causes lumps to be formed on either side of the chin. There are multiple lymph nodes throughout the body but can only be felt in areas where they are close to the skin surface like the chin or the armpits. Infections are the most common cause of lymph node swelling. This is what causes Lump under the Chin. ^[3] It is actually a response of the immune system of the body towards the infection. The characteristics of the lump caused due to lymph node swelling are that they will be soft and supple. The area around the lump will be tender to palpation and will be painless. It normally lasts for about three days before fading away.^[3] Common infections that may cause Lump under the Chin include flu, infection of the ear, sinus infections, strep throat, tooth abscess, and Lyme disease. If the lump does not go away on its own even after a couple of days then a trip to the physician’s office may be required for administration of antibiotics.^[3]

Benign Tumors: A tumor is an abnormal growth within or on the skin surface. It is termed as benign if it does not grow in size uncontrollably. A benign tumor can be classified as a lipoma, cyst, or a fibroma. These tumors are completely curable and pose no threat to the health of the individual.^[3] A cyst is referred to a fluid filled sac. They usually form as a result of an infection and tend to grow very slowly. The most common form of cyst seen under the chin is a sebaceous cyst where the sebaceous glands get blocked with debris and cause a lump to form. Fibroma is not that common under the chin but they can be both soft as well as hard and are painless.^[3] A lipoma is a type of tumor that is formed due to accumulation of fat cells. These tumors are soft and supple and they grow very slowly. They do not cause any other symptoms and are painless.^[3]

Cancer: This is also one of the causes of a Lump under the Chin. The most common forms of cancer that cause the lump are the cancer of the salivary gland, skin cancer, or cancer of the lymph nodes all cause Lump under the Chin. A malignant tumor under the chin will be extremely hard to touch and will have an abnormal shape. These tumors are also painful. ^[3] The malignant tumor also at times causes numbness and tingling around the area. A person may also have problems with swallowing with unintentional weight loss. For such tumors, a biopsy will be done by the physician to confirm the diagnosis. Radiation and chemotherapy is the frontline treatment for cancers causing Lump under the Chin.^[3]

Other Causes: There are also certain other causes that cause Lump under the Chin. These include bug bites, allergies, boil, cut during shaving, tonsillitis, hematoma, rheumatoid arthritis, or damage to the sebaceous cyst.^[3]

The treatment for Lump under the Chin depends on the cause of it. Due to significant variability in the causes getting to the diagnosis is of utmost importance. It is important to consult a physician if the size of the lump continues to grow or lasts for more than a few weeks. The sooner a person starts treatment, in cases of cancer, the better is the overall prognosis for Lump under the Chin. For cases in which infection is believed to be the cause, antibiotics will be prescribed for treatment.^[3]

In conclusion, Lump under the Chin is generally not a cause of worry as most of the time the cause is quite benign such as an infection or a cyst. It some cases, however, malignant tumors also can develop under the chin causing a lump to form. In such a scenario, it is essential to get to the bottom of a diagnosis and start treatment for it. For other cases, it generally takes just a couple of days for a Lump under the Chin to completely go away.^{[1, 2, 3]}

References:

Also Read:

• What Causes Lumps on Scalp and Natural Remedies to Get Rid of It
• Lump in the Armpit: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis, Diagnosis
• Lump in Stomach or Abdominal Mass: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prognosis, Diagnosis
• What are Breast Lumps: 9 Causes of Breast Lumps, its Treatment & Prevention
• Is It Normal To Have A Lump In Your Testicle?
• How Do You Get Rid Of Breast Lumps While Breastfeeding?
• What Is A Natural Solution for Breast Lumps?