Inflamed lymph nodes or lymph node inflammation is an inflammation of one or more lymph nodes. Lymph node inflammation is often the result of an infection caused by bacteria. Infected lymph nodes swell. As a result, inflamed lymph nodes can be felt, for example, in the neck (as well as in the neck and behind the ear), in the groin and under the armpits. Inflamed lymph nodes are also often sensitive and painful. Treatment of lymph node inflammation in the case of a bacterial infection consists of administering antibiotics. An abscess must be drained with a small incision. It is important to know that many cases of an inflamed lymph node in the neck, groin or under the armpits are not serious.
- What are lymph nodes?
- What is lymph node inflammation?
- Often due to bacteria
- Inflamed lymph nodes in the abdomen
- Inflamed lymph node causes
- Lymph node inflammation symptoms
- Swelling, warmth and redness
- Red stripes on the skin
- Inflamed lymph nodes in the neck, neck and behind the ear
- Complications
- Examination and diagnosis
- History and physical examination
- Other research
- Lymph node inflammation treatment
- Preventing inflamed lymph nodes
- Course and prognosis
What are lymph nodes?
Lymph nodes, also called ‘lymph nodes’, are part of the lymphatic system. The human body contains hundreds of lymph nodes, which are connected to lymphatic vessels. Lymphatic fluid or tissue fluid flows from the various tissues in the body via the lymphatic vessels to the lymph nodes and from there ultimately to the blood vessels. Lymph nodes ensure that the tissue fluid is purified; they are the filter stations for the lymph. They are therefore located in strategic places in the body, such as the neck, armpit and groin. Lymph nodes filter damaged cells, cancer cells and foreign particles (such as bacteria and viruses) from the fluid. Lymph nodes are in fact defense systems to stop incoming pathogens.
Streptococcal throat infection / Source: En:RescueFF, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
What is lymph node inflammation?
Often due to bacteria
A lymph node infection is an inflammation of the lymph node. The medical name is ‘lymphadenitis’. It is almost always the result of an infection caused by bacteria. Sometimes viruses or fungi are involved.
An enlarged gland in the neck is often a response to an infection in the ear, nose and throat area. Lymph nodes in the neck can swell due to inflammation of the throat, nose, ear, jaw or tooth roots. A lymph node can also become infected from a nearby skin infection. In addition, mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus infection (CMV), streptococcal infection, tuberculosis (TB) or syphilis can cause lymph node inflammation.
The infection may affect the glands in a specific part of the body, but a large number of lymph nodes may also be infected. With lymph node inflammation, the lymph nodes become larger and are often sensitive and painful. You cannot see or feel lymph nodes deeper in the chest or abdomen when they swell.
Inflamed lymph nodes in the abdomen
Mesenteric lymphadenitis, also called mesenteric adenitis, is the inflammation of the lymph nodes in the abdominal cavity. The clinical picture initially resembles acute appendicitis. It usually heals spontaneously, without medical treatment. Children under the age of 15 seem particularly susceptible to this condition. It is not entirely clear what the exact cause is. Several pathogens have been identified that are responsible for lymphadenitis mesenterica, including Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli, streptococci, staphylococci, as well as viruses such as coxsackie, rubeola, adenovirus and the Epstein-Barr virus.
Cat scratch disease: infection occurs via a cat scratch / Source: Mydegage/Shutterstock.com
Inflamed lymph node causes
The lymphatic system is an extensive drainage network, consisting of small and larger lymphatic vessels that runs parallel to the blood vessel system and transports fluid (including proteins and waste products). In addition, the system contains lymph nodes or nodes, especially in the armpits, groin and neck. These lymph nodes have a purifying effect and there are many white blood cells in the lymph nodes to help fight infections. Lymph node inflammation occurs when lymph nodes themselves become inflamed due to incoming pathogens such as bacteria. The swollen glands are usually close to an obvious infection. Bacteria are usually the culprits. Lymph node inflammation can occur after skin infections or other infections caused by bacteria such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Sometimes it is caused by rarer infections such as tuberculosis or cat scratch disease, also called ‘Bartonella henselae infection’. Cat scratch disease is caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae, which is transmitted to humans via a scratch from an infected cat.
Inflamed lymph nodes in the neck / Source: Artemida-psy/Shutterstock.com
Lymph node inflammation symptoms
Swelling, warmth and redness
The symptoms of lymph node inflammation are:
- The development of swelling;
- The gland is red and warm to the touch;
- Moderate to high fever may occur;
- An abscess, often rubbery to the touch, may appear in the central part of an inflamed gland;
- A painful neck gland in a child can cause him to turn his head away from the side where the inflammation is and if the gland has become very large, a kind of forced position (of the head) is possible.
Red stripes on the skin
If lymphatic vessels become inflamed (called ‘lymphangitis’), this may become visible as red streaks on the skin. Lymph nodes that are once enlarged in an infection will not immediately decrease in size. The result is that you can continue to feel them for months.
Inflamed lymph nodes in the neck, neck and behind the ear
Lymph nodes in the neck can swell and become inflamed due to inflammation of the throat (strep throat), nose, ear, jaw or skin. The following symptoms may then occur:
- Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck;
- The swelling usually occurs under the jaw edge or along the muscle that runs from top to bottom in the neck;
- The lymph nodes in the neck may also hurt and/or feel warm;
- The lymph nodes can be felt in the neck and/or in the neck or behind an ear.
- They can be felt on one side or on both sides of the neck;
- You can only feel one gland, but sometimes there are several.
Neck glands tend to swell quickly, but they also quickly decrease in size once the inflammation is over. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck mainly occur in children.
Complications
Untreated lymph node inflammation can lead to the following complications:
- abscess formation;
- cellulitis (a bacterial infection of the subcutaneous connective tissue);
- fistulas (in lymph node inflammation caused by tuberculosis);
- sepsis (a blood poisoning).
Examination of inflamed lymph nodes in the neck / Source: Istock.com/AlexRaths
Examination and diagnosis
History and physical examination
The doctor will take a history and perform a physical examination, which will quickly reveal that it is an inflamed lymph node. By feeling the gland, the doctor can determine whether an abscess has developed. If necessary, the area will also be examined with an ultrasound.
Other research
The doctor will perform a biopsy of the affected area or node if necessary. A piece is removed for further examination under the microscope. This is necessary so that the doctor can determine the cause of the inflammation. Placing fluid from the lymph nodes into a culture (culture) to see what type of bacteria grow is also sometimes done. A blood test may be useful to identify the spread of the infection in the bloodstream.
Paracetamol has an analgesic and fever-reducing effect / Source: Martin Sulman
Lymph node inflammation treatment
As long as an abscess has not yet formed, it is possible to treat the affected gland with an antibiotic in the event of a bacterial infection. Fever and pain can be counteracted with (children’s) paracetamol. If an abscess has already formed, it will have to mature. The abscess will then be relieved with a small incision, which will release a lot of pus.
Preventing inflamed lymph nodes
The best way to prevent lymphadenitis is to make an appointment with your doctor at the first sign of an infection or you notice a tender swelling that feels like a small lump just under your skin. Make sure you clean any wounds thoroughly by using a disinfectant. Practice good hygiene in all cases.
Course and prognosis
Take the medications prescribed by the doctor faithfully and stick to the dosage. Cooling the affected area with compresses can help to relieve complaints such as pain and swelling. In most cases, lymph node inflammation disappears quickly with the right treatment, but it sometimes takes some time before the swelling goes away completely. Contact your doctor if the symptoms return or worsen.
read more
- Lymph nodes: function, tasks, location & diseases of the lymphatic system
- Lymph node swelling in child: symptoms, cause and treatment
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL): symptoms, cause and treatment
- Inflamed lymph nodes: symptoms, cause and treatment
- Swollen lymph nodes: glands in neck, neck, groin & armpit
