Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Your Care Instructions Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands throughout the body. The nodes in your neck, under your chin, or behind your ears may swell when you have a cold or sore throat. An injury or infection in a leg or foot can make the nodes in your groin swell.
Sometimes medicine can make lymph nodes swell, but this is rare. How can you care for yourself at home? Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse call line if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. Avoid irritation. Do not squeeze or pick at the lump. Do not stick a needle in it. Prevent infection. 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. Read this article in Spanish. Lymph nodes may become inflamed for a variety of reasons, including infection, virus, or cancer. Learn about symptoms of and treatments for…. Lumps behind the ears are rarely a sign of a life-threatening problem. They may signal a need for medication, however, as in the case of an infection…. There are hundreds of lymph nodes in the body that help fight infection, including the armpit.
Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands throughout the body. They are part of the lymph system , which carries fluid lymph fluid , nutrients, and waste material between the body tissues and the bloodstream.
The lymph system is an important part of the immune system , the body's defense system against disease. The lymph nodes filter lymph fluid as it flows through them, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances, which are then destroyed by special white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Lymph nodes may be found singly or in groups. And they may be as small as the head of a pin or as large as an olive. Groups of lymph nodes can be felt in the neck, groin, and underarms. Lymph nodes generally are not tender or painful. Most lymph nodes in the body cannot be felt. Lymph nodes often swell in one location when a problem such as an injury, infection, or tumor develops in or near the lymph node.
Which lymph nodes are swollen can help identify the problem. Common sites for swollen lymph nodes include the neck, groin, and underarms. When lymph nodes swell in two or more areas of the body, it is called generalized lymphadenopathy. This may be caused by:. Treatment for swollen glands focuses on treating the cause. Back to Health A to Z. Swollen glands are a sign the body is fighting an infection. They usually get better by themselves within 2 weeks.
Glands known as lymph glands or lymph nodes swell near an infection to help your body fight it.
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