Swollen Lymph Nodes – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Lymph Nodes
Where Lymph Nodes Are Found
Lymph nodes exist throughout your body and play a crucial role in fighting infections. They are most noticeable when they become swollen.
Common areas where you may feel swollen lymph nodes include the sides of your neck, under your jaw, in your armpits, and in your groin.
These small, bean-shaped structures continuously protect your body, but you may only become aware of them during an illness.
When Lymph Nodes Swell
Swollen lymph nodes usually indicate that your body is fighting an infection, often caused by bacteria or viruses.
Swelling is most often noticed in the neck and may cause tenderness when touched. In most cases, they return to normal size once the infection resolves.
Treatment Options
For mild cases, swollen lymph nodes often subside with time and home remedies. If an infection is the cause, treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause.
Your doctor might recommend:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers
- Antibiotics (for bacterial infections)
- Rest and increased fluid intake
- Follow-up appointments if swelling persists
Signs of Swollen Lymph Nodes
When lymph nodes become swollen, you might notice:
- Pain or tenderness when touching the area
- Visible swelling (ranging from pea-sized to kidney bean-sized or larger)
Additional symptoms may provide clues about the underlying cause:
| Symptom | What it might indicate |
|---|---|
| Fever | Infection or inflammatory condition |
| Sore throat and runny nose | Upper respiratory infection |
| Night sweats | Possible infection or other conditions |
| Widespread lymph node swelling | Potential systemic infections like mononucleosis, immune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis |
| Hard, fixed nodes that grow quickly | Possible cancer or lymphoma |
Lymph nodes typically swell in the area closest to the infection. A throat infection can cause enlarged neck lymph nodes, while a skin infection on the arm may lead to swelling in the armpit nodes.
When to See a Doctor
You should contact your doctor if your swollen lymph nodes:
- Appear without any obvious reason
- Continue to enlarge or remain swollen for 2–4 weeks
- Feel firm or rubbery, or don’t move when pressed
- Come with ongoing fever, night sweats, or unexpected weight loss
Get emergency medical help right away if you have trouble swallowing or breathing.
What Causes Swollen Lymph Nodes
Common Infections
Swollen lymph nodes frequently emerge as a response to common infections encountered in daily life. Viral infections such as the common cold frequently trigger this response.
Strep throat, a bacterial infection, can cause noticeable swelling in neck lymph nodes. Children with ear infections may develop swollen lymph nodes near their ears or neck.
Dental problems such as an abscessed tooth can lead to swollen lymph nodes in the jaw and neck area. Mononucleosis (“mono”) typically causes significant lymph node swelling, especially in teenagers and young adults.
Skin infections like cellulitis make nearby lymph nodes enlarge as they work to fight the infection. HIV infection can cause persistently swollen lymph nodes throughout the body.
Unusual Infections
Some less common infections also cause lymph node swelling. Tuberculosis often affects lymph nodes in the neck and chest.
Certain sexually transmitted infections, particularly syphilis, can lead to swollen lymph nodes in the groin.
Toxoplasmosis, which people can get from cat feces or undercooked meat, may cause lymph node swelling.
Cat scratch fever is caused by bacteria from cat scratches or bites, leading to swelling in nearby lymph nodes.
Immune System Problems
Autoimmune conditions that may cause lymph node swelling include:
- Lupus – Causes systemic inflammation, affecting multiple organs and lymph nodes.
- Rheumatoid arthritis – Primarily affects joints, but can also lead to lymph node enlargement.
Cancer-Related Causes
Although less common, several cancers can cause lymph node swelling.
| Cancer Type | How It Affects Lymph Nodes |
|---|---|
| Lymphoma | Starts in the lymphatic system itself |
| Leukemia | Begins in blood-forming tissues and spreads to lymph nodes |
| Metastatic cancer | Cancers that spread to lymph nodes from other areas |
Some medications may rarely cause swollen lymph nodes, including certain anti-seizure drugs and malaria prevention medicines.
Risk Factors
These risk factors don’t guarantee you’ll develop swollen lymph nodes, but they do increase the likelihood.
Age: As people get older, they face a higher risk of infections, immune disorders, and cancer, all of which can cause lymph node swelling.
Unsafe behaviors: Unprotected sex and shared needles increase the risk of HIV and other STIs that affect lymph nodes.
Compromised immune system: Chronic illnesses or medications that suppress immunity increase susceptibility to infections that cause lymph node swelling.
Complications
If left untreated, swollen lymph nodes from infection may develop into an abscess—a pus-filled pocket requiring drainage and antibiotics.
Prompt medical attention is essential to prevent complications and determine the underlying cause of prolonged lymph node swelling.
