Where is your lymph nodes in your throat

Where is your lymph nodes in your throat

Your Care Instructions

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands throughout the body. They help your body fight germs and infections.

Lymph nodes often swell when there is a problem such as an injury, infection, or tumour.

  • 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.

Treatment depends on what caused your nodes to swell. Usually the nodes return to normal size without a problem.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

  • Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor or nurse advice 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. Do not squeeze, drain, or puncture a painful lump. Doing this can irritate or inflame the lump, push any existing infection deeper into the skin, or cause severe bleeding.
  • Get extra rest. Slow down just a little from your usual routine.
  • Drink plenty of fluids. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
  • Take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Read and follow all instructions on the label.
  • Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.

When should you call for help?

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

  • You have worse symptoms of infection, such as:
    • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
    • Red streaks leading from the area.
    • Pus draining from the area.
    • A fever.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

  • You do not get better as expected.
  • Your lymph nodes do not get smaller or do not return to normal.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter A919 in the search box to learn more about "Swollen Lymph Nodes: Care Instructions".

Lymph nodes are small glands that filter lymph, the clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system. During an infection or illness, the lymph nodes accumulate bacteria, or dead or diseased cells. Symptoms may include coughing, fatigue, and fever.

The lymphatic system is made of channels throughout your body that are similar to blood vessels. Lymph nodes are small glands that filter lymph, the clear fluid that circulates through the lymphatic system.

Lymph nodes are located throughout the body. They can be found underneath the skin in many areas, including:

  • in the armpits
  • under the jaw
  • above the collarbone
  • on either side of the neck
  • on either side of the groin

Lymph nodes store white blood cells, which are responsible for killing invading organisms.

Lymph nodes also act like a military checkpoint. When bacteria, viruses, and abnormal or diseased cells pass through the lymph channels, they’re stopped at the lymph node.

When faced with infection or illness, the lymph nodes accumulate debris, such as bacteria and dead or diseased cells.

Swollen lymph nodes are one sign that your lymphatic system is working to rid your body of infection and illness.

Infections

Lymph nodes swell when an infection occurs in the area where they’re located. For example, the lymph nodes in the neck can become swollen in response to an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold.

Swollen lymph nodes in the head and neck may also be caused by infections such as:

  • ear infection
  • sinus infection
  • the flu
  • strep throat
  • mononucleosis (mono)
  • tooth infection, included an abscessed tooth
  • skin infection
  • HIV

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as syphilis or gonorrhea can bring about lymph node swelling in the groin area.

Other possible causes include:

  • cat scratch fever
  • tonsillitis
  • toxoplasmosis
  • tuberculosis
  • shingles

Noninfectious causes

Serious conditions, such as immune system disorders or cancers, can cause lymph nodes throughout the body to swell.

Immune system disorders that cause the lymph nodes to swell include lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Any cancers that spread in the body can cause the lymph nodes to swell. When cancer from one area spreads to the lymph nodes, survival rate decreases. Lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphatic system, also causes the lymph nodes to swell.

Other causes of swollen lymph nodes include, but aren’t limited to:

  • some medications, such as antiseizure and antimalarial drugs
  • allergic reactions to medications
  • stress
  • gingivitis
  • mouth sores
  • leukemia
  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Sézary syndrome, a rare type of lymphoma

Swollen lymph nodes can be as small as peas or as large as cherries.

They can be painful to the touch, or they can hurt when you make certain movements.

Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw or on either side of the neck may hurt when you turn your head in a certain way or you’re chewing food. They can often be felt simply by running your hand over your neck just below your jawline. They may be tender as well.

If you’ve recently become ill or had an injury, let a doctor know. This information is vital in helping them determine the cause of your symptoms.

The doctor will also ask you about your medical history. Since certain diseases or medications can cause swollen lymph nodes, giving your medical history helps them find a diagnosis.

After you discuss the symptoms with the doctor, they’ll perform a physical examination. This consists of checking the size of your lymph nodes and feeling them to see if they’re tender.

After the physical examination, blood tests may be ordered to check for certain diseases.

If necessary, the doctor may order an imaging test to further evaluate the lymph node or other areas of your body that may have caused the lymph node to swell. Common imaging tests used to check lymph nodes include:

  • X-rays
  • ultrasounds
  • CT scans

If the above tests suggest the need for further evaluation, the doctor may order an MRI.

In certain cases, even further testing may be needed following the MRI. In this case, the doctor may order a lymph node biopsy. This is a minimally invasive test that consists of using thin, needle-like tools to remove a sample of cells from the lymph node. The cells are then sent to a laboratory where they’re tested for major diseases, such as cancer.

If necessary, the doctor may remove the entire lymph node.

Swollen lymph nodes may become smaller on their own without any treatment. In some cases, the doctor may wish to monitor them without treatment.

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.

Your doctor will discuss which treatment option is best for you.

The only way to prevent swollen lymph nodes is to prevent the conditions that may cause them. Some steps you can take are below:

  • Practice proper dental hygiene to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
  • Wash your hands frequently.
  • Get vaccinated against conditions such as shingles, tuberculosis, and the flu.
  • Avoid sharing food, beverages, or personal items such as towels with anyone who has a contagious infection such as mono or a cold.
  • Use condoms or other barrier methods during sexual activity.
  • Ask your doctor about switching your medications if you’re having an adverse or allergic reaction.
  • Avoid feral cats or letting your pet cats play outdoors.

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.

How can you tell if your lymph nodes are swollen in your throat?

People can check whether their lymph nodes are swollen by gently pressing around the area, such as the side of the neck. Swollen lymph nodes will feel like soft, round bumps, and they may be the size of a pea or a grape. They might be tender to the touch, which indicates inflammation.

What causes swollen lymph nodes near throat?

Your lymph nodes get larger when more blood cells come to fight off an invading infection. They all essentially pile in, causing pressure and swelling. Often, the lymph nodes that swell will be close to the infection's site. That means if you have strep throat, you may develop swollen lymph nodes in your neck.

Can you feel lymph nodes in throat?

Usually lymph nodes are not enlarged and thus not able to be felt, but if you have previously had an infection (such as tonsillitis) you may have noticed and felt lymph node becoming enlarged, painful and tender.

Can swollen lymph nodes feel like a lump in your throat?

Lumps in your neck are most likely not serious. The most common cause of neck lumps are that your lymph nodes are swollen. This commonly occurs when your body is fighting an infection, such as the flu, mono, or strep throat. As the infection clears up, your swollen lymph nodes should go back to their normal size.