Definition
Lymph nodes are an important part of the human immune system. In children and also in adults, swelling often indicates a current infection and in many cases does not require treatment. In rare cases, however, it can be an indication of a more serious illness requiring treatment, so that a doctor must be consulted. Typical lymph node stations are located in the area of the neck and armpits and in the area of the groin.
Causes of lymph node swelling in children
The most common cause of lymph node swelling in children – but also in adults – is an infection. There are many different types of infections, which can be mild or severe. For example, swollen lymph nodes often occur when bacteria have entered the body through a small injury.
This can already happen with a scratch as it can occur when playing. The lymph node swelling then usually occurs near the area where the scratch is located. If the scratch is on the arm, for example, there may be a swelling of one or more lymph nodes in the armpit area.
Lymph nodes that are swollen as a result of an infection can usually be moved easily against the surrounding tissue, are rather soft and painful under pressure. More serious infections, such as measles or rubella, also frequently cause swelling of lymph nodes. In these two diseases, the lymph nodes in the neck and throat area are most frequently affected, and the swelling usually occurs on both sides.
The swelling is then accompanied by symptoms on the skin, typically a reddish rash. A disease that frequently occurs in adolescence is Pfeiffer’s glandular fever (mononucleosis). This is a viral infection with the Ebstein-Barr virus.
It often manifests itself through symptoms similar to a flu-like infection, in addition there is swelling of the lymph nodes, which can occur all over the body, i.e. under the arms, in the groin and on the neck. The disease is usually treated only symptomatically, i.e. the symptoms are treated, but a general therapy is not necessary, healing comes naturally. Numerous other infections can cause swelling of lymph nodes in children, including the so-called cat scratch disease, which is caused by an infection with Bartonella henselae.
Triggers are scratching injuries caused by cats. Symptoms are usually mainly lymph node swelling in the neck and under the arms. A therapy is not always necessary, the disease usually proceeds without major complications.
Also the so-called Kawasaki syndrome can be accompanied by a swelling of the lymph nodes. This is usually accompanied by high fever and the disease must be treated with medication. In addition to infections, malignant diseases, i.e. cancer, can also lead to swelling of the lymph nodes in childhood. These include, for example, the group of leukemias (white blood cancer) and lymphomas. A lymph node swelling that tends to increase and persists for a longer period of time, as well as hard, painless lymph node swelling that is cemented to the surrounding tissue can be an indication of the presence of cancer.
