What should you do about a hard lump near your lower left collarbone that is rapidly growing in size?
A lump that is hard and growing quickly — both vertically and horizontally — is something that needs prompt medical attention. This is not something to wait on or try to manage at home. Here's what to do right away:
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What should you do about a hard lump near your lower left collarbone that is rapidly growing in size?
A lump that is hard and growing quickly — both vertically and horizontally — is something that needs prompt medical attention. This is not something to wait on or try to manage at home. Here's what to do right away:
- Contact your HIV doctor or specialist as soon as possible — ideally today or tomorrow
- Do not massage or apply pressure to the lump, as this could aggravate it
- Note any other symptoms to share with your doctor, such as:
- Redness or color changes (red or purple)
- Warmth around the area
- Pain or tenderness
- Fever or fatigue
Living with HIV can sometimes affect the lymph nodes and immune response, which may cause lumps in various areas of the body. However, a rapidly growing hard lump near the collarbone is a red flag that warrants urgent evaluation — your doctor will likely want to examine it and may order imaging or other tests.
Please don't delay reaching out to your healthcare team. The sooner it's checked, the better.
June 17
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