Swollen lymph nodes how can you tell

See your doctor if you're concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes:. Seek immediate medical care if you're having difficulty swallowing or breathing. Lymph nodes are small, round or bean-shaped clusters of cells. Inside lymph nodes are a combination of different types of immune system cells. These specialized cells filter your lymphatic fluid as it travels through your body and protect you by destroying invaders.

Lymph nodes are located in groups, and each group drains a specific area of your body. You may be more likely to notice swelling in certain areas, such as in the lymph nodes in your neck, under your chin, in your armpits and in your groin. The site of the swollen lymph nodes may help identify the underlying cause. The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is an infection, particularly a viral infection, such as the common cold.

Other possible causes of swollen lymph nodes include:. Other possible but rare causes include certain medications, such as the anti-seizure medication phenytoin Dilantin and preventive medications for malaria. If infection is the cause of your swollen lymph nodes and isn't treated, an abscess may form.

Abscesses are localized collections of pus caused by infections. Pus contains fluid, white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other invaders. An abscess may require drainage and antibiotic treatment.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Your doctor or nurse will show you how and which lymph nodes to check.

This system consists of lymphatic vessels and tissue. Lymph is a fluid that contains proteins and waste materials, which is collected from around the cells in the body, eventually draining into larger vessels. On its journey more tissue and waste material is collected. The fluid lymph that accumulates firstly drains into larger lymph vessels, then into ducts in the neck, before emptying into the blood stream. Lymph nodes are small oval clumps of lymphatic tissue found at intervals along the vessels.

These lymph nodes filter out harmful organisms and cells from the lymphatic fluid before it is returned to the blood stream. Lymph nodes can only be felt in the areas listed:. 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 nodes becoming enlarged, painful and tender. Lymph nodes can also become enlarged due to cancer cells lodging in them.

Checking your lymph nodes once a month is sufficient and this can be done at the same time as you check your skin for any changing moles. Checking them more often may result indifficulty noticing any change. Do not panic if you feel a lymph node as it may well be due to an infection, but if it has not gone away in a week contact your doctor or specialist nurse. Diagram how to check the lymph nodes in your armpitRemove all clothing down to the waist to get easy access to the armpits.

To check the left side, lift your arm slightly then place the fingers of your right hand high into the armpit and then lower your arm. The purpose of this information is to help you understand why you have your nodes checked at your follow-up appointments. The main lymph nodes that people may see or feel are found:. Lymph fluid flows in and out of the lymph nodes throughout the body before finally making its way back to the chest.

While doing so, it collects and traps harmful matter, such as bacteria, viruses, and bodily waste products. The lymph nodes filter the fluid and release it back into the bloodstream together with salts and proteins. The lymph nodes may swell when a person has a temporary infection. The swelling occurs as a result of immune cell activity in the lymph nodes.

The location of the swelling often relates to the affected area. For example, an ear infection may cause swollen lymph nodes near the ear, while someone with an upper respiratory tract infection may notice swollen lymph nodes in their neck. 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. In some cases, the lymph nodes will also look larger than usual. Lymph nodes appear in parallel on both sides of the body.

People can check the nodes on each side and compare them to see if one is larger than the other, which is likely to indicate swelling. Many people with swollen glands also experience pain while making sudden or strained movements. Such movements include sharply turning the neck, bobbing the head, or eating foods that are difficult to chew.

Swollen lymph nodes often occur alongside other symptoms. These vary depending on the underlying problem but may include a sore throat , cough, or flu-like symptoms. Many different conditions cause the lymph nodes to swell, particularly the nodes in the head and neck. These conditions include autoimmune disorders, specific types of cancer , and common infections, such as the flu. Certain medications, such as antimalarials and antiseizure drugs, can also cause swelling.

Most people have localized lymphadenopathy, in which only the lymph nodes in one particular area of the body swell up. When more than one region swells, this is called generalized lymphadenopathy, and it usually signifies a systemic, or body-wide, disease that may require medical attention. Cat scratch fever , which is also called cat scratch disease, can cause localized lymph node swelling in the area near the cat scratch. Certain risk factors make a person more likely to have a malignant lymph problem, such as lymphoma.

These include :. People with a malignant lymph node may notice that the node feels hard or rubbery. They may also experience systemic symptoms, such as fever , night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.