A bump on the neck is a swelling or thickening in the area of the neck. It can occur in different regions and can occur either on one side only or on both sides. The appearance also varies and depends on the cause, e.g. it is rather extensive or knotty. Since the neck is a body region with many different important organs, muscles and nerves, there are many possible causes for a bulge on the neck. A doctor should be consulted for clarification in order to detect and treat possible diseases at an early stage
The causes
In the area of the neck there are many different organs that can cause a possible bump on the neck. Often the swelling is due to the lymph nodes that are present in large quantities in the neck. These lymph nodes usually become somewhat larger during an inflammation or a cold, which is a sign of the actively working immune system.
However, enlarged lymph nodes are rarely also a sign of an infectious disease or tumour. It is therefore very important to consult a doctor if you have other symptoms, such as weight loss. The thyroid gland, which sits at the front of the neck, can also cause a bump on the neck.
There are also various possible causes, such as a lack of iodine or an inflammation of the thyroid gland. Laryngitis, an inflammation of the larynx, for example in the case of a severe flu, often also leads to swelling. An abscess, i.e. a cavity filled with pus, can also cause a bump on the neck.
This can, for example, sink into the neck area if dental problems are not treated. A so-called lipoma, i.e. a non-painful tumour of fatty tissue, can also occur on the neck. Cysts, congenital cavities with fluids, are a rather rare cause. If the bulge appears at the back of the neck, it is often muscular tension. Swollen lymph nodes in the neck – How dangerous is that?
A dent only pronounced on one side
If a bump on the neck occurs on the right or left side, this can have various causes. The most common is lymph node swelling, which can be felt on the right or left side. However, there are often other local causes, such as an abscess or a node on the thyroid gland.
In the case of a bump on the right or left neck, a doctor should be consulted to clarify possible diseases. Since the thyroid gland is located superficially on the neck, a lump on the neck can be caused by various problems on this organ. Frequently, other symptoms such as changes in blood pressure and heart rhythm or sleep disorders also occur.
Enlargement can be caused by over- or under-functioning of the thyroid gland or, for example, by Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disease. This is often referred to as goiter or goiter, which is a swelling of the thyroid gland. The bulge can also be caused by one or more nodes of the thyroid gland.
In order to determine whether the bulge on the neck is caused by the thyroid gland, you can look at whether or not it is movable when swallowing. If this is the case, the thyroid gland is most likely affected. In all cases a doctor should be consulted for clarification.
An abscess is a cavity that is formed by an infection and filled with pus. In the neck area, abscesses are usually caused by bacteria, but are generally rare. They can develop in various places, such as on the tonsils, i.e. the tonsils when they become inflamed.
The mastoid, i.e. the bony prominence behind the ear, and the floor of the mouth are also possible sites of origin for an abscess. Therefore, if you suspect further symptoms, such as covered tonsils, redness or difficulty swallowing, you should be careful and consult a doctor. Occasionally, severe untreated dental problems can lead to abscesses that can travel down to the throat.
You can find out more about abscesses here. In some cases, the larynx can also be the cause of a bump on the neck. The most common disease is laryngitis, which is usually caused by viruses.
There is swelling, which is accompanied by hoarseness and severe cold symptoms. This should be treated quickly by a doctor to prevent possible breathing and swallowing difficulties. Other diseases of the larynx are usually not noticed by a bump on the neck, but at an earlier stage by other symptoms such as breathing difficulties, hoarseness or a change in voice. .