Deal4Fuji

My 24 y/o daughter has a strange swelling that occurs behind her ear that only occurs when exercising. It doesn't always happen, but probably 50% of the time when she gets winded and always when in some form of exercise. Over the past 5 years we've been to doctors, the 1st removing tissue in the area of the swelling, only to have it come back shortly after. It's not a gland or lymph node per the doctors and she's seen head & neck and vascular specialists.

We rode today and she started feeling this same type of swelling on her bottom lip on the opposite side of her head as the ear swelling. Not nearly as extreme and barely noticeable to me, but she described the sensation as similar to her ear issue. It's not painful, but sometimes she gets a metallic taste in her mouth. The last specialist told her he did not feel it was anything dangerous, more of a annoyance. With today's new area of swelling we're going to go further up the medical ladder, but thought put this here to see if anyone has seen or heard of anything like this. Thanks !

eja_ bottecchia

I am not a doctor, but a metallic taste in her mouth is not a good sign as it may suggest CNS injury. Please get a second or third opinion.

Good luck to you and your daughter.

canklecat

Just a wild shot in the dark, since you've already tried doctors...

Last time I saw peculiar swelling like that around the head or face was when my mom had shingles a few years ago. Her forehead and one side of her face swelled grotesquely, closing one eye. That lasted a few days. She was prescribed various anti-virals like acyclovir. She took two or three kinds over the course of several months. It finally cleared up.

If it's shingles there's probably some history of earlier, lesser symptoms like cold sores, occasional rashes, sometimes with small blisters.

Fredster

Could be hives. Do they itch?

Deal4Fuji

^^^ thanks for the replies and concern. We will definitely be getting more medical opinions. Because it comes and goes with exertion I wouldn't think that could be shingles....or can shingles do that? By 30 min to 1 hour after appearing the swelling and reddish area around the bump goes away. It doesn't itch, but she has felt lightheaded on occasion when it's swollen.

terrymorse 

Not a doctor, but the redness and swelling look a bit like angioedema, probably from an allergic reaction. Since it only occurs during exercise, could it be a sweat allergy?

Swelling Under the Skin: Angiodema

Deal4Fuji

That's interesting & looks like it could be a possibility. Thanks !