Is it normal for swollen lymph nodes

Overview Medicare Coverage Options. Broker Resources. 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. 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. However, they may also order medical tests to determine the cause of the swelling. These tests may include a routine blood test to look for signs of infection. Imaging tests can help a doctor look closely at the lymph nodes and the surrounding structures of the body.

Imaging tests include:. If the swelling continues for several weeks or a person has other warning signs, a doctor may recommend a lymph node biopsy. During this procedure, the doctor will numb the area, make a small cut, and remove a section of lymph node tissue to send to a laboratory for examination under a microscope.

Alternatively, they may opt for fine needle aspiration, which involves using a needle to remove some cells from the lymph node for analysis. Lymph node swelling will usually disappear once the infection clears. The swelling may also go away when the person takes prescribed medications, such as antibiotics or antivirals. If an underlying medical condition is responsible for the lymph nodes swelling, treating this condition should reduce the swelling.

Swollen lymph nodes are usually a symptom of another condition, such as an infection, and they tend to resolve on their own within several weeks. It is best to consult a doctor if swollen lymph nodes persist for longer than 3 weeks or occur alongside other symptoms, such as high fever, abdominal pain, or night sweats. You should consider visiting a physician if the swelling has not reduced after a few weeks or has increased, if the lymph nodes feel hard when you press them, if you have difficulty swallowing or breathing, and if you have a sore throat.

Swollen lymph nodes accompanied by weight loss if you are not dieting , and a persistent fever is also a source of concern. If you experience the symptoms described above, then you can visit a physician for a preliminary exam. Besides conducting a physical examination, they will ask you about your symptoms and your medical history to diagnose the cause of the swelling. They can also order a routine blood test or an imaging test ultrasound, an MRI scan, and a CT scan as part of the diagnosis.

A doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medication if the lymph nodes are swollen due to infection. You may also need to take ibuprofen and aspirin to help with the pain and inflammation. In most cases, swollen lymph nodes are not due to cancer. However, you can get a diagnosis done just to be safe.

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.

Read this article in Spanish. Lymph nodes may become inflamed for a variety of reasons, including infection, virus, or cancer.

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