Lymph node on the child's neck: causes, symptoms and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

When you come to see a pediatrician, you will notice that during the examination, the doctor necessarily runs his hands along the neck, under the chin and behind the ears. With these manipulations, he checks the lymph nodes, because their increase can indicate serious violations in the work of the child's body, requiring a thorough examination and identification of the cause. Many parents are wondering - if the lymph node in the child's neck is inflamed, what should I do? First you need to understand what the immune system is and what place the lymph nodes occupy in it.

What are lymph nodes

In simple words, the lymph nodes are the most important link in the immune system. These are a kind of filters on which toxins and other substances dangerous to the body settle. Here they are neutralized by antibodies and excreted from the body. Thanks to this, the lymph is cleansed. The lymph nodes are also producers of lymphocytes.

Normally, the size of the lymph nodes does not exceed 1 cm and practically does notfelt on palpation. If their increase, and sometimes soreness, has become noticeable, this may indicate that there is a serious fight against pathogenic bacteria. If there are a lot of pathogenic bacteria and it is difficult, and sometimes impossible, to cope with them, then the lymph nodes begin to redden, become inflamed and increase in size, because when an infection or virus enters the body, cells of the immune system move here in large numbers.

Lymph nodes are scattered throughout the body and are located next to large vessels, veins and near organs. If a child has an inflamed lymph node in the neck, then you need to find the cause.

Cervical lymph nodes

There are several formations of lymph nodes on the neck, depending on their location.

• Parotid.
• Sublingual.
• Submandibular.
• Supraclavicular.
• Anterior cervical.
• Rear cervical.
• Chin.
• Retropharyngeal.

The lymph nodes of these localizations are responsible for the he alth of the throat, ears, nasopharynx, head, neck (including bone and muscle structures).

• Inflammation of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes may indicate an inflammatory process in the pharynx.
• Submandibular enlargement - there is a risk of infection of the mouth or face.
• If the lymph nodes are inflamed on the side or back of the neck, then this indicates an infection in nearby organs - the respiratory tract, larynx, etc.
• Occipital lymph nodes, when enlarged, can indicate a viral infection in the body.
• Parotid –most likely there was inflammation in the hearing organs
• The enlargement of the lymph node located under the jaw in the center of the neck indicates the possibility of a sore throat, toxoplasmosis, etc.

If a lymph node in a child's neck is inflamed, this is not always a sign of a serious illness. For example, in children under three years of age, a slight increase may be the norm, since at this age the formation of the immune system occurs. But still, you should consult a doctor to exclude pathological processes in the body, since an increase of up to 2 cm indicates an inflammatory process that has begun in the body. This condition is called lymphadenitis.

Photo of neck lymphadenitis

The photo below shows the lymph nodes on the neck of a child in the stage of lymphadenitis. The symptoms and treatment of the disease will be discussed further.

Possible causes of inflammation of the lymph node

It is immediately worth noting that inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck can be both unilateral and bilateral. If a change in size occurred on one side, this indicates a local infection, but if on both sides, then the infection affected the entire body.

If there is inflammation of the lymph nodes in the child's neck, the reasons may be different. The most common are:

• Infectious processes occurring in the throat, respiratory tract and nose. In this case, the lymph node closest to the infected organ becomes inflamed. Diseases such as rhinitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis can provoke an increase.
• Cold-related diseases and viruses. In this case, if the body is not able to fully fight a cold, inflammation may remain for some time after recovery.
• Presence of bacterial infections.
• Mononucleosis. This disease can initially be mistaken for a sore throat. The submandibular lymph nodes become inflamed, the temperature rises.
• bites and scratches from animals. Under their claws and in saliva are pathogenic microbes that, when released into the bloodstream, cause inflammation.
• Severe allergic reaction.
• Failures in the immune system.
• Toxoplasmosis.

Also, inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck of a child is caused by:

• Purulent diseases.
• Tumor formation.
• Infectious diseases such as measles, scarlet fever.
• Pathological processes in the oral cavity.
• Vaccinations.

Symptoms of neck lymphadenitis

Usually, the symptoms of inflammation of the lymph node in the neck of a child are quite bright. The stronger the inflammatory process in the body, the more pronounced the symptoms.

The main signs of the development of lymphadenitis in the neck are distinguished:

• Lymph nodes increase in size.
• Pain may come. If it becomes so intense that it hurts the child to swallow and turn his head, you should immediately go to the hospital to stop the inflammatory process.
• When inflamed, the lymph node becomes dense, if it becomes looser, suppuration begins.
• Redness of the skin in the location arealymph node.
• Baby has a fever.
• Sometimes you feel chills, weakness.
• Headache.

Features

The inflamed lymph node should resemble a dense ball that easily rolls under the fingers. It should not be loose or as if adherent to other tissues. Detection of inflammation of the lymph nodes of different localizations can indicate a serious infectious disease, blood diseases, malignant tumors. Particular attention should be paid to the situation when there was a simultaneous increase in the lymph nodes of several groups.

Diagnosis

Since inflammation of the lymph nodes is not an independent disease, but a sign of a more serious pathological process occurring in the body, the diagnosis will be aimed at finding out the cause that provoked their increase.

The most common diagnostic methods are:

• palpation of a lymph node to determine size, structure, etc.
• blood and urine test to understand the nature of the disease;
• ultrasound;
• Mantoux test;
• radiography, which will reveal hidden lymph nodes;
• in chronic lymphadenitis, a biopsy is required (taking the contents of the node);
• computed tomography;
• MRI.

After appropriate research and diagnosis, the optimal treatment for a particular child is prescribed.

Specialists

If lymphadenitis is suspected, it is possibleconsultations of highly specialized specialists will be required to determine the most accurate diagnosis and treatment. These specialists are

• infectionist;
• surgeon;
• oncologist;
• ENT;
• immunologist;
• dermatologist.

Treatment of lymphadenitis

If a lymph node in the neck is inflamed, what should I do? To begin with, it should be noted that it is not recommended to treat lymphadenitis on your own, since improper therapy can only harm the baby.

When inflammation of the lymph nodes in the child's neck, treatment is usually prescribed conservative type, with the exception of suppuration and malignant tumors - in these cases, surgical intervention is required.

Necessary therapy is prescribed after identifying the root cause and nature of inflammation. In most cases assigned:

• antibiotic therapy;
• anti-inflammatory drugs;
• antihistamines;
• immunomodulators;
• special diet (excluded are foods that can provoke irritation of the nasopharynx - carbonated drinks, solid foods, spicy dishes, etc.);
• vitamin therapy;
• gargles may be prescribed for sore throats.

After consulting a doctor and having passed all the necessary tests, the treatment of lymph nodes in the neck in children should be started as soon as possible.

As a rule, with inflammation of a single lymph node, a blood test with a leukocyte formula is prescribed. According to its result, one can judge the nature of inflammation andprescribe appropriate treatment. With a viral infection, in most cases, the body is able to cope on its own. But then careful monitoring of the baby's condition is necessary.

Surgery

If the medicines did not help, and rapid festering began, the doctor may decide on the need for a surgical method of treatment.

Under general anesthesia, the affected lymph node is opened, the destroyed tissue and pus are removed. Then, after treatment with an antiseptic, the organ is sutured. After that, a drainage tube is inserted to drain the residual pus. Sometimes an antiseptic may be required.

In the oncological process, the method of treatment is determined by the oncologist individually.

What not to do with enlarged lymph nodes

Very often, with inflammation of the lymph nodes in the child's neck, parents begin to treat them themselves, while making many mistakes that can harm the child's body. There are several categorical contraindications in the treatment of inflamed lymph nodes:

• Heating. In no case should they be warmed up, smeared with warming ointments, as this can start the process of suppuration. Also, under the influence of temperature, the lymph flow speeds up, and pathogenic microbes spread faster throughout the body.
• Rubbing.
• Applying the iodine grid.
• It is forbidden to use alcohol compresses in the area of inflammation.
• You can not massage the lymph node, as this can accelerate its growth and provoke a rupture with the release of pus.

Folkremedies in the treatment of lymphadenitis

The use of any folk remedies is possible only after the consent of the doctor and the absence of allergic reactions.

Well proven:

• decoctions of oats in milk;
• herbal teas – hawthorn, mint;
• fruit drinks from lingonberries, cranberries and other berries rich in vitamin C;
• beetroot juice.

Preventive measures

Since the enlargement of the lymph nodes is a response of the immune system, as a preventive measure, it is necessary, first of all, to strengthen the immune system. This will allow the body to quickly identify inflammation and eliminate the cause. Also, parents should follow a number of recommendations in order to minimize the possibility of developing any inflammatory process.

General Prevention:

• strengthening immunity through hardening, daily walks in the fresh air, sunbathing;
• in the spring-autumn period, course vitamin therapy is recommended;
• constant monitoring of the oral cavity and timely elimination of dental problems;
• any disease, especially of an infectious nature, must be treated to the end, because it is because of chronic diseases that chronic lymphadenitis most often occurs;
• when the skin is damaged, proper wound care is necessary to avoid infection;
• necessary to avoid hypothermia;
• nutrition should be balanced;
• there must also be parental control over the child's he alth; atswollen lymph nodes, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible to identify the cause and begin treatment.

At the risk group due to inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes are children who more than 6 times a year suffer from diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. In these cases, the doctor's control should be more thorough.

In closing

Basically, if an increase in lymph nodes was noticed at an early stage, then after a certain treatment, the disease passes very quickly. But it is worth noting that this symptom cannot be ignored. Despite the fact that in some cases, an increase in lymph nodes can go away on its own, you should consult a doctor and take the necessary tests, as this may indicate a serious pathological process that has begun in the child's body.