Swollen lymph nodes (glands) – what can help

Swollen glands can be painful but are often easily treated. Learn how to ease symptoms at home and when to see a doctor.

What are the symptoms?

Causes and who’s affected

When to see a doctor

How is it diagnosed?

Self-care tips

Medical treatments

How can I care for my lymph nodes?

From your neck to your groin, lymph nodes cover your entire body, helping to protect it against infection. But swollen glands usually mean your body is fighting an infection and they can be painful. Here’s how to ease your symptoms at home, and when to get urgent help.

Tenderness and pain go hand in hand with swollen lymph nodes (also known as lymph glands or glands) – they're bean shaped clusters of cells found all over your body, but are most noticeable in the neck, armpit, and groin areas. 

Your lymph nodes are important for protecting your body against bacteria and viruses. But sometimes these glands can swell up, causing inflammation and pain.

Most cases of swollen lymph nodes aren’t serious and will get better in 1 to 2 weeks, but if you’re worried about your symptoms, [see a doctor](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/swollen-glands#when-to-see-a-doctor).

## What are the symptoms?

The most common signs of swollen lymph nodes are tenderness, pain, and as the name suggests, swelling that might feel like a lump – this could be the size of a pea, a kidney bean, or even larger.

A lymph node or gland can swell on just 1 side of your body or both. 

It depends on which group of lymph nodes are affected, but other symptoms may include:

- a runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, night sweats
- the swelling of lymph nodes throughout your whole body (in your neck, groin, and armpit at the same time, for example)
- hard lymph nodes that are growing very quickly.

Get urgent medical attention if you have swollen lymph nodes and you're finding it difficult to swallow or breathe.

Get help with this

## Causes and who’s affected

The group of lymph nodes that are affected tells you a lot about the cause – this is because they tend to be closest to where you have an infection, for example if it’s in your throat the lymph nodes in your neck will swell. 

Swollen lymph nodes are usually triggered by a viral infection, such as:

- a cold
- the flu
- viral [tonsillitis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/tonsillitis)
- [measles](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/measles)
- ear and throat infections
- [glandular fever](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/glandular-fever). 

Bacterial infections can also be to blame, such as [Strep throat](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/streptococcal-infections) or bacterial [tonsillitis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/tonsillitis).

Although less common, swollen lymph nodes in your groin may indicate a [sexually transmitted disease (STD)](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/sexually-transmitted-infections), such as [chlamydia](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/chlamydia) or [syphilis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/syphilis). 

Swollen lymph nodes all over your body may reveal something more serious, such as [cancer](https://www.livehealthily.com/self-care/cancer), or an autoimmune condition like [lupus](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/lupus) – but it’s rare.

Anyone can get swollen lymph nodes, but you might be more likely to develop them if you: 

- __are older__ – age increases the chance of having an infection or developing an immune disorder
- __have a weakened immune system__ – whether from medicine or an underlying condition, which can increase your risk of infection
- __engage in high-risk behaviors__ – such as having unprotected sex and anal sex, as well as if you inject drugs. Both of these things increase your chances of developing infections, such as [HIV](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/hiv) or other STDs, as well as [tuberculosis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/tuberculosis) or [hepatitis B](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/hepatitis-b).

## When to see a doctor

Book an appointment with your doctor if you have swollen lymph nodes and:

- they're growing, or they've not gone down in 1 week
- you’ve had swollen lymph nodes for over 2 weeks
- you’re having night sweats 
- you’re losing weight without meaning to
- you have a persistent fever
- they feel hard or don’t move when you press on them
- you have no other signs of illness or infection
- you have swollen lymph nodes above or below your collarbone.

Always seek urgent medical help if you’re finding it hard to breathe or you have difficulty in swallowing.

## How is it diagnosed?

In the case of swollen lymph nodes, your doctor will want to know about your symptoms, as well as your medical and family history.

They’ll usually do a physical exam, including checking the location and size of your swollen lymph nodes, plus how tender they feel.

If your doctor still isn’t sure what the cause is, you might need further tests. These may include:

- __a blood test__ – it can help exclude other conditions. The doctor will be looking at your complete blood count (CBC) to check your overall health and to see if you have a disorder 
- __an X-ray or CT scan__ – to help discover the infection source or detect potential tumors, if suspected
- __a biopsy__ – where a specialist removes a lymph node sample from your body to further examine it.


## Self-care tips

Swollen lymph nodes usually get better within 1 to 2 weeks, but there are certain things you can do to ease symptoms.

These include:

- __resting as much as possible__ to allow your body to recover and fight the infection
- __taking painkillers__ such as paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain relief
- __drinking plenty of fluids__ to avoid dehydration and help your body get better
- __applying a warm compress__ (such as a warm washcloth) to your swollen glands for pain relief.


## Medical treatments

This depends on what's causing your swollen lymph nodes. Most cases can be looked after at home with self-care, but others might need further treatment, such as:

- __antibiotics__ – only if a bacterial infection is causing your swollen lymph nodes, like Strep throat
- __treatment for the underlying condition itself__ – such as lupus 
- __surgery, radiation or chemotherapy__ – only used in the very rare instance that cancer is causing your swollen glands.

## How can I care for my lymph nodes?

They help protect your body from infection, so help to keep your lymph nodes healthy by:

- eating a healthy balanced diet
- getting regular exercise
- having enough sleep
- drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
- caring for wounds properly to prevent infection.

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References

Amelia Glean

Jo Wheatley

Dr Tamer T Malak

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Swollen glands can be painful but are often easily treated. Learn how to ease symptoms at home and when to see a doctor.
