#Lymph nodes in back of neck swollen skin

If the patient is diagnosed with a bacterial infection, doctors would prescribe antibiotics. If the swelling is due to a pathogenic infection, doctors would first try to identify the causal organism. The treatment would vary depending on the underlying cause. If the doctors feel that the patient might be suffering from lymphoma, they may conduct lymph node biopsy as well. If the blood tests don’t provide any valuable insights on the underlying cause, they may conduct imaging procedures. Under such circumstances, doctors would conduct a physical examination, and order blood tests so as to ascertain the underlying cause of the swelling. If the swelling lasts for couple of weeks, or continues to increase, make sure that you get a thorough medical checkup done.

#Lymph nodes in back of neck swollen skin

One must also consult a doctor if the skin over the nodes turns red or is painful-to-touch. One must therefore seek medical assistance on noticing a lump or swelling in any part of the neck. Diagnosis and TreatmentĮnlarged lymph nodes in the neck are indicative of inflammation or infection in the body. Needless to say, such conditions must be diagnosed in the early stages. Mouth cancer, larynx cancer, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus are some of the serious diseases that may cause the nodes to swell up. For instance, development of a tumor or cancerous growth in the neck region may cause the nodes in this area to swell up. While pathogenic infections are usually contributory factors, the enlargement of these nodes could sometimes be attributed to serious medical conditions. Medical conditions such as syphilis, tuberculosis, AIDS, rubella or toxoplasmosis can also cause them to enlarge. Inflamed sinuses, infected ear or abscessed tooth can also be responsible for causing these nodes to swell up. This can also cause the surrounding nodes to swell up. If a wound in the neck region is left untreated, it may get infected. If you have recently noticed or felt swollen lymph nodes in neck on one side, scroll down to find out more about the contributory factors for the enlargement of these nodes.Įpiglottis, which is the flap situated at the base of the tongue, can also get inflamed due to respiratory infections or trauma. Though the nodes are present throughout our body, swollen nodes can usually be felt in the neck, armpits or the groin region. However, these nodes may sometimes swell up in the process. Whenever pathogens find a way into the body, the nodes trap them, and the white blood cells that are stored within them destroy the bacteria, viruses or other disease-causing agents. These small bean-shaped clusters of lymphoid tissues are located along the lymphatic vessels throughout our body. The human body also contains masses of lymphoid tissues that contain these immune cells. These are produced by parts of the body such as the bone marrow, spleen and thymus. The immune cells are medically referred to as leukocytes or white blood cells. The network of cells, tissues and organs that are involved in such bodily processes form a part of our immune system. Our body consists of various specialized structures that are involved in warding off infections. In this case, they are usually painless.The human body has its own way of dealing with disease-causing agents. Lymph nodes can also become enlarged if cancer cells lodge in them. Another time when they can be felt is when you have an infection, (for example, a sore throat or an ear infection which can make the neck lymph nodes enlarged, painful and tender as these are the nearest lymph nodes to the site of infection). However, sometimes they can be felt in slim people as smooth pea-sized lumps, usually in the groin. Lymph nodes are usually too small to feel. Lymph nodes can only be felt in certain areas of the body (see Figure 1): The lymph nodes filter out harmful organisms and abnormal cells before the lymph reaches the blood stream. They are found at intervals along the lymphatic vessels like ‘beads on a string’. Lymph nodes (‘glands’) are small ‘bean-shaped’ nodules that contain millions of infection fighting lymphocyte cells. It drains into lymphatic vessels then larger lymphatic vessels called ducts in the neck before joining the blood stream near the heart (see Figure 1). Lymph fluid bathes the cells of the skin and internal organs.