When do I have to go to the doctor?
A slight and temporary swelling of the lymph nodes usually heals even without a visit to the doctor. A physician should be contacted especially in case of symptoms of a more serious disease.These include severe pain, significant swelling or redness. A lack of improvement or an increase in symptoms can also be a reason for a visit to the doctor.
Unusual and previously unknown complaints should be clarified by a doctor in case of doubt. If fever, chills or a strong feeling of illness occurs, this is usually a sign of a systemic inflammatory reaction that affects the whole body. In this case a doctor should be consulted.
Treatment/Therapy
The therapy of a swollen lymph node after an insect bite depends mainly on the severity and cause of the symptoms. A simple bite in a non-allergic person is usually treated symptomatically. Important household remedies are cooling, elevating the body or itch-killing ointments.
However, swelling of the lymph nodes can be a first sign of more serious symptoms. Mostly it is an inflammation of the sting. This is especially true if the site of the sting hurts, is very swollen or reddened and does not improve.
In this case antibiotic treatment may be necessary. A doctor should be consulted. The decision whether an antibiotic should be used depends mainly on the course and severity of the inflammation. In particularly severe cases surgical treatment may be necessary. Normally this is only necessary in exceptional cases.
Duration/Prediction
Usual insect bites usually disappear within a few days. If an insect bite is inflamed, healing may take longer. With proper treatment, however, even an inflamed insect bite heals after a few days.
The swelling of the lymph node normally also subsides after the inflammation has subsided. It is possible, however, that the swelling of the lymph node will remain permanently. In this case, the lymph node is usually scarred. This is usually harmless and does not require further treatment.
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