You have lymph nodes throughout your body—they’re in your neck, armpits, chest, belly and groin area. Sometimes they get swollen. You might notice a lump when they do, and the site might feel sore or tender.
Most of the time, a swollen lymph node means your lymphatic system is doing its job. It’s trapping viruses, bacteria and pathogens and signaling your body to make antibodies that can help you fightinfections. “Rather than being something scary, most enlarged lymph nodes are a sign of a healthy immune system,” saidRebecca Moran, MD, a family medicine specialist atBanner Health Clinicin Phoenix.
When you have swollen lymph nodes, you’ll probably notice other symptoms from whatever is causing them, such as fatigue, fever, sore throat, runny nose or other signs of infection.
What causes swollen lymph nodes?
It’s typically things likecold viruses, strep throat,mononucleosisor skin infections that cause swollen lymph nodes. But there can be other causes, too:
- Autoimmune disorders such aslupusor rheumatoid arthritis.
- Some vaccines, including theCOVID-19 vaccines, which can cause temporary lymph node swelling when your body makes antibodies against future infection. (In fact, women should consider postponing routine mammograms for four to six weeks after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, since swollen lymph nodes in the armpit could look like an abnormality.)
- Rarely, cancers such aslymphoma,leukemia或其他癌症扩散到淋巴点头es.
How can you prevent swollen lymph nodes?
You can’t stop a lymph node from swelling as it fights off infections and other things that don’t belong in the body. “That is what they are designed to do, and we want them to do it,” Dr. Moran said.
You can try to prevent the infections that lead to swollen lymph nodes by washing your hands, disinfecting surfaces, avoiding touching your nose and eyes and staying away from people with contagious infections. You can also help keep yourself healthy by getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet andavoiding tobacco products.
How can you treat tender lymph nodes?
Tender lymph nodes will feel better when the underlying infection clears. If you have a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics. A viral infection needs to run its course. In the meantime, you can apply warm compresses to your tender lymph nodes and take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
If an autoimmune disorder or cancer is causing your tender lymph nodes, your health care provider can provide treatments for those conditions.
When should you be concerned about swollen lymph nodes?
You don’t need to worry about your swollen lymph nodes most of the time. But you should talk to your health care provider if your swollen lymph nodes:
- Feel hard and don’t move around easily when you press on them
- Grow bigger than one centimeter (or the size of a large pea)
- Don’t shrink within a month
- Appear without any apparent reason
- Are located throughout the body rather than in one area
- Appear along with unintentional weight loss, persistent fevers or night sweats
- Develop just above your collarbone or in your armpit, especially if there’s no explanation for them
- Grow large quickly and become painful and red, which could mean they are infected
The bottom line
Swollen lymph nodes are a sign your body is doing its job—fighting off infection. But sometimes, they can signal a more serious problem. If you would like totalk to a health care providerwho can help evaluate your lymph nodes, reach out to Banner Health.
Other useful articles
- How to Know Whether It’s a Virus or Bacteria That’s Making You Sick
- Should You Use Antivirals for the Flu?
- What Happens if You Get Strep Throat a Lot?
