Overview Medicare Coverage Options. Individuals and Families. Health and Wellness. Wellness Library. Swollen Lymph Nodes. Topic Overview What are lymph nodes? What causes swollen lymph nodes? The glands on either side of the neck, under the jaw, or behind the ears commonly swell when you have a cold or sore throat.
Glands can also swell following an injury, such as a cut or bite, near the gland or when a tumor or infection occurs in the mouth, head, or neck. Glands in the armpit axillary lymph nodes may swell from an injury or infection to the arm or hand.
A rare cause of axillary swelling may be breast cancer or lymphoma. The lymph nodes in the groin femoral or inguinal lymph nodes may swell from an injury or infection in the foot, leg, groin, or genitals.
In rare cases, testicular cancer, lymphoma, or melanoma may cause a lump in this area. Glands above the collarbone supraclavicular lymph nodes may swell from an infection or tumor in the areas of the lungs, breasts, neck, or abdomen.
What does it mean when lymph nodes swell in two or more areas of the body? This may be caused by: A viral illness, such as measles, rubella, chickenpox varicella , or mumps. Mononucleosis Epstein-Barr virus , which results in fever, sore throat, and fatigue, or cytomegalovirus CMV , a viral infection that causes symptoms similar to those of mononucleosis.
A bacterial illness, such as strep throat caused by the streptococcus bacterium or Lyme disease a bacterial infection spread by certain types of ticks. Side effects of phenytoin Dilantin , a medicine used to prevent seizures. Side effects of measles-mumps-rubella MMR vaccination. The swelling occurs as a result of immune cell activity in the lymph nodes. The location of the swelling often relates to the affected area. For example, an ear infection may cause swollen lymph nodes near the ear, while someone with an upper respiratory tract infection may notice swollen lymph nodes in their neck.
People can check whether their lymph nodes are swollen by gently pressing around the area, such as the side of the neck. Swollen lymph nodes will feel like soft, round bumps, and they may be the size of a pea or a grape. They might be tender to the touch, which indicates inflammation. In some cases, the lymph nodes will also look larger than usual.
Lymph nodes appear in parallel on both sides of the body. People can check the nodes on each side and compare them to see if one is larger than the other, which is likely to indicate swelling. Many people with swollen glands also experience pain while making sudden or strained movements.
Such movements include sharply turning the neck, bobbing the head, or eating foods that are difficult to chew. Swollen lymph nodes often occur alongside other symptoms. These vary depending on the underlying problem but may include a sore throat , cough, or flu-like symptoms. Many different conditions cause the lymph nodes to swell, particularly the nodes in the head and neck.
These conditions include autoimmune disorders, specific types of cancer , and common infections, such as the flu.
Certain medications, such as antimalarials and antiseizure drugs, can also cause swelling. Most people have localized lymphadenopathy, in which only the lymph nodes in one particular area of the body swell up. When more than one region swells, this is called generalized lymphadenopathy, and it usually signifies a systemic, or body-wide, disease that may require medical attention. Cat scratch fever , which is also called cat scratch disease, can cause localized lymph node swelling in the area near the cat scratch.
Certain risk factors make a person more likely to have a malignant lymph problem, such as lymphoma. These include :. People with a malignant lymph node may notice that the node feels hard or rubbery. They may also experience systemic symptoms, such as fever , night sweats, and unexplained weight loss. Sexually transmitted infections STIs , such as syphilis and gonorrhea , can cause swollen lymph nodes, typically in the groin area.
Lymph nodes in the groin are also known as inguinal lymph nodes. Recurring infections, lower body infections, and injury to the legs can also cause swollen lymph nodes in the groin. In many cases, swelling reduces and then disappears within 2 to 3 weeks once the body has successfully fought the infection.
If the problem persists for longer than a couple of weeks, it might warrant a visit to the doctor. In some cases, the doctor may wish to monitor them without treatment. In the case of an infection, you may be prescribed antibiotics or antiviral medications to eliminate the condition responsible for the swollen lymph nodes. Your doctor might also recommend medications such as acetaminophen Tylenol and ibuprofen Advil, Motrin to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Swollen lymph nodes caused by cancer may not shrink back to their normal size until the cancer is treated. Cancer treatment may involve removing the tumor or any affected lymph nodes. It may also involve chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. The only way to prevent swollen lymph nodes is to prevent the conditions that may cause them.
Some steps you can take are below:. If you experience any of the symptoms that sometimes accompany swollen lymph nodes, or if you have painful swollen lymph nodes and no other symptoms, talk with a doctor. Lymph nodes that are swollen but not tender can be signs of a serious problem. In some cases, the swollen lymph node will get smaller as other symptoms go away. If a lymph node is swollen and painful or if the swelling lasts more than a few days, also see a doctor.
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