<s>[INST] I have a swollen spot about an inch behind my ear and at the base of my hairline. It is very painful and causing a headache & neck ache. It is not red and does not look anything like a pimple or boil. I have been quite healthy up until this showed up. [/INST] Hi! Just today I came across such a patient of course who was aged and presented with a swollen painful nodule behind his ear for 3/4 days!it is quite a common clinical presentation in day-to-day practice! In such cases I just do a careful and gentle physical examination regarding size, consistency, mobility, feel and tenderness of it; then I do a needle biopsy that generally reveal:1. A lymph node with no significant abnormality2. A small infected inclusion cyst3. An inflammatory pseudotumor4. Metastatic carcinomaTherefore you need to see your doctor today for confirmation and to relieve your tension. Regards, </s>