Swelling of lymph nodes in the neck – how dangerous is that?

Introduction

Lymph nodes are part of the body’s defense system. They are a filter station in which the lymph is purified. Lymph is also called tissue water.

On the one hand, it transports nutrients and waste products, on the other hand, it is also responsible for the disposal of pathogens. In most healthy people, lymph nodes can only be palpated in the groin, in children or slender necks also in the neck region. If lymph nodes in the neck region are swollen, they can often be palpated under the chin, on the side of the neck, behind the ear or under the earlobe.

There are many causes for lymph node swelling in the neck, most of them are harmless. The most common cause is a co-reaction of the lymph nodes in a cold. If the swelling of the neck lymph nodes persists for more than two weeks, a doctor should be consulted to be on the safe side.

Causes of swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck

The lymph nodes play a central role in the body’s defense system. If there are foreign bodies or pathogens in the body, the lymph nodes produce lymphocytes (white blood cells) and antibodies. These are released into the blood, where they then fight the pathogen or foreign body.

The production of these cells can cause the lymph node to swell. Thus, lymph node swelling gives an indication that the lymph node is in an active state. A common cause of swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck is an infection, usually inflammation in the area of the throat and tonsils.

These are caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. Most common are infections caused by viruses, which are accompanied by cold symptoms such as sore throat, cough, cold and difficulty swallowing. Pfeiffer’s glandular fever is also common in younger people.

In addition to sore throat and headaches, fever and a swelling of lymph nodes in the neck and throat area, lymph nodes in other parts of the body often swell. Also the “childhood diseases” measles and rubella are often accompanied by swelling of lymph nodes in the neck. Here it is important to know that these diseases can be prevented by vaccination.

If one is not vaccinated, one can fall ill with these diseases at any age and not only as a child. A cold is caused by an infection of the respiratory tract by a variety of possible viruses. Besides the typical symptoms such as cough, rhinitis and aching limbs, the common cold is the most common cause of swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.

It is a natural reaction of the body, as the immune system deals with the pathogen and produces specific defense cells in the lymph nodes that are directed against this pathogen. Typical for lymph node swelling in such a case is that it causes pain when touched. As the disease heals, the swelling usually subsides.

In some cases, swollen lymph nodes in the neck can remain swollen for several weeks beyond the cold. This does not necessarily indicate a dangerous disease, but should be examined by a doctor for safety reasons. Diseases caused by bacteria can also lead to swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.

Commonly streptococcal diseases include pharyngitis, tonsillitis (angina) and scarlet fever. They usually have to be treated with penicillin. Tuberculosis typically begins in the lungs.

However, if the pathogen spreads, it can also enter the lymph nodes. Lymph node tuberculosis then usually manifests itself by swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and collarbone. Although the frequency of the disease is currently increasing, it is still rare in Germany.

Swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck can often be triggered by certain allergies. Especially people with hay fever suffer from enlarged and hardened lymph nodes during the pollen season. They are a sign of the immune system‘s overreaction to the harmless pollen or grasses.

If the swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck is caused by an allergy, the typical further symptoms also occur, such as burning eyes, runny nose and sneezing. If only swelling occurs, it is not likely to be a consequence of the allergy. A lymph node swelling in the neck cannot normally be triggered by a vaccination.

Reactions of the immune system to a vaccination are normal or even desired.Although lymph node swelling is a reaction of the immune system, vaccination is usually administered to the upper arm or, in small children, to the thigh. In both cases, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck as a result of the vaccination is very unlikely. A temporal connection to the vaccination is therefore most likely to be coincidental and the swollen lymph nodes in the neck have another cause such as an infection.

Since lymph node swelling often occurs as a reaction of the body to an inflammation, it can also be caused by an inflammation of the teeth. If the swelling occurs at the same time as toothache, this is very likely. As a rule, lymph nodes on the neck also swell on the side of the body where the inflamed tooth is located.

If the tooth inflammation is treated, the swelling of the lymph nodes should also decrease. If this is not the case or the swelling even increases despite improvement of the toothache, an examination by the family doctor should be carried out promptly to rule out other causes. Not every tick bite immediately leads to an infection.

In most cases, one does not fall ill. This can only happen if there were pathogens in the tick’s body and these could also enter the human blood. However, if lymph node swellings in the neck occur after a tick bite, this can be a sign of a beginning illness (for example Lyme disease).

A connection between swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and a tick bite is particularly possible if the tick has settled in the head or neck area. To be on the safe side, a doctor should be consulted to rule out an infection or, if necessary, to initiate treatment at an early stage. Tension does not lead to a swelling of the lymph nodes.

If nodular enlargements of the neck are palpated in the course of tension, this is not usually a case of lymph node swelling. Tension can lead to hardened muscle fibers, which can be mistaken for lymph nodes. If the tension improves, these hardenings should also disappear again.

Nevertheless, due to an additional cause, e.g. a cold, tension can also lead to swollen lymph nodes in the neck. This topic could also be of interest to you: What is the best way to relieve neck tension? In most cases, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck occurs as a result of an infection of the upper respiratory tract or an inflammation in the throat.

However, a swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck can also be an indication of cancer. Typically, a progressive (advancing) swelling of the cervical lymph nodes occurs. The swelling is often not associated with infections.

In addition, the swollen lymph nodes are harder in a cancerous disease than in a swelling caused by infections, and the swollen lymph nodes are not usually painful due to pressure. HIV is a disease of the immune system that can be triggered by a viral infection. In the early stages of the infection, there may be a pronounced swelling of the cervical lymph nodes.

This is followed by a long period during which the disease does not become noticeable. This phase can last from a few months to several decades. In the final stage of the disease, swelling of the lymph nodes may reoccur, and this can basically occur in all parts of the body.

You can find more information on this topic at Symptoms of HIVDThe thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck. For this reason, diseases of the thyroid gland, such as inflammation or thyroid cancer, can lead to a co-reaction, i.e. swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck. In addition, a swelling of the thyroid gland can also manifest itself.

The salivary glands are also located near the neck, so that inflammation of these glands is often accompanied by swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck. Due to their anatomical location, inflammation of the teeth and/or gums can also be the cause of lymph node swelling in the neck area. Another rather rare cause of lymph node swelling in the neck area is the presence of lymphoma, a cancer in which the lymphocytes are affected.

This is often accompanied by fever, night sweats and weight loss. The connective tissue disease sarcoidosis can also lead to swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Characteristic are small nodular tissue changes, which usually affect the lungs.This can then lead to chronic irritable cough and shortness of breath.