A child has an inflamed lymph node: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment

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

If a child has an inflamed lymph node, then this can happen for a variety of reasons. Many factors can lead to such a violation. Doctors recommend treatment immediately, but before that, you need to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis to determine which disease provoked an increase in lymph nodes.

Features of lymphadenitis

It is important not only to establish why the lymph nodes inflame in children, but also what constitutes lymphadenitis. This is an infectious or non-infectious inflammatory process that occurs in the organs of the lymphatic system. A similar disease is quite common in pediatrics, due to the immaturity of this organ in a child.

Often, lymphadenitis occurs in children aged 1-6 years and has a more rapid course than in adults. The disease develops in children for the second time, thereby complicating the course of infectious and inflammatory processes, therefore, consultation of several specialists at once is required.

Main classification

Depending on typepathogen doctors distinguish specific and nonspecific lymphadenitis, which has:

• spicy;
• subacute;
• chronic leakage

According to the nature of inflammatory changes in the area of the lymphatic glands in children, serous, necrotic or purulent lymphadenitis is distinguished. In addition, this disease can affect only one lymph node or a whole group.

Depending on this, a treatment is selected that helps to quickly and effectively eliminate unpleasant symptoms.

Submandibular lymph nodes enlargement

Often, such a pathological process is associated with an immune response to the presence of an infection near the lymph nodes. There are 3 main stages of the course of such a pathology, namely:

• initial;
• medium;
• purulent.

If there is purulent content in the lymph nodes, then this indicates the course of a serious complication, the treatment of which is carried out surgically. If the submandibular lymph nodes in a child are inflamed, then this is a rather alarming sign that indicates the development of pathology.

The initial stage is hidden and there are no signs. As the disease progresses, those located under the lower jaw increase, become more dense and painful on palpation. Among the main causes of pathology, it is necessary to highlight such as:

• infectious processes;
• new growths;
• Immune problems;
• dentalproblems;
• toxoplasmosis.

It is very important to correctly establish the cause of the development of the disease, as it plays an important role in the treatment of pathology. Inflammation of the lymph nodes is only a symptom of the disease, which necessarily requires competent therapy.

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck

There are many reasons for this pathology. It is imperative to know why the lymph nodes in the child's neck become inflamed in order to make the correct diagnosis and select the required treatment. Such a violation may be for reasons such as:

• allergy;
• oncological diseases;
• mechanical damage;
• colds;
• hypothermia, stress;
• metabolic disorder.

If a child has an inflamed lymph node in the neck, it is important to initially establish the form of inflammation, which can be acute or chronic. With acute inflammation, the child feels severe pain in the neck, and the inflamed area turns red. In the case of a chronic course, pain is not felt, however, the lymph nodes increase. The cause of this form of pathology is mainly a weakened immune system.

Swollen lymph nodes under the armpits

There are several groups of lymph nodes under the child's armpit. These organs themselves normally do not exceed 0.5 cm in diameter and move freely under the skin. If the lymph node under the arm of a child is inflamed, then it will be noticeable even with a simple examination. Lymph nodes are categorized asgroups like:

• apical;
• central;
• lateral;
• chest;
• subscapularis.

He althy lymph nodes are quite difficult to feel, as these organs are very small and do not provoke pain. However, if pathology occurs in the chest cavity or shoulder joint, there may be an increase in lymph nodes up to severe discomfort, so that it is impossible to move the arm.

Among the main causes of the violation, there are adjacent pathologies. In addition, frostbite, injuries, burns can be provoking factors.

Axillary lymphadenitis mostly occurs in older children. Often this is a secondary disease that can be triggered by pus and pathogens. Also, inflammation often occurs against the background of bronchitis, pneumonia, pathologies of the shoulder joint.

Increased inguinal lymph nodes

The baby's body often copes with infectious processes quite successfully. If a child has an inflamed lymph node in the groin, then this may signal a fight against viruses and pathogens. Inflammation mainly occurs as a result of damage to the skin of the lower body, in particular, such as:

• scratches;
• splinters;
• sores on legs.

Swelling does not occur immediately after damage to the skin, but after about 10-20 days. With a favorable course of the treatment process, the body copes with the infection on its own, and the tumor resolves withouttreatment.

Main symptoms

If a child has an inflamed lymph node, then there is a rather bright and pronounced symptomatology, namely:

• there is lethargy and apathy;
• loss of appetite;
• sleep disorder;
• pain on swallowing and palpation;
• consolidation of the affected area;
• redness of the skin over inflamed nodes.

In some cases, a rash may appear on the body. If the lymph node is inflamed, the child's temperature almost always rises, and headaches may also appear.

Diagnostics

What to do if the child has inflamed lymph nodes after a comprehensive diagnosis that will help determine the cause of the pathology? You can determine the presence of a pathological process yourself, but an accurate diagnosis is established only by a doctor.

Initially, the doctor examines the lymph nodes to determine their structure, shape and size. Additionally, specialized diagnostics is performed, which includes such research methods as:

• ultrasound examination;
• urine and blood test;
• biochemical blood test;
• x-ray;
• histological examination of lymph node tissue.

If necessary, the doctor can appoint an examination of narrow specialists who will help make the correct diagnosis and select the required treatment.

Features of treatment

When a child's lymph node became inflamed,how to treat such a pathology, you need to know exactly so as not to provoke the occurrence of complications. In order for the therapy to be as successful as possible, it is initially necessary to establish the cause of such a pathology. For treatment, methods such as:

• drug therapy;
• surgical treatment;
• folk remedies.

Treatment is selected separately for each child and it all depends on the type of disease, as well as on the complexity of its course. It is aimed at stopping the infectious and inflammatory process and eliminating the primary focus of infection.

In acute serous and chronic lymphadenitis, conservative therapy is used, which includes antibacterial, desensitizing agents, as well as local treatment. The use of general strengthening drugs is also indicated.

In the absence of the desired effect or the transition of the disease to a purulent form, the child is urgently hospitalized, an autopsy, drainage and sanitation are performed. In the case of necrotic lymphadenitis, a thorough curettage of the cavity is carried out, and if necessary, removal of the lymph node. Anti-inflammatory therapy is indicated in the postoperative period.

Medicated treatment

If a child has an inflamed lymph node, then the treatment is mainly carried out with the help of drug therapy. Based on the results of the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe:

• antibiotics;
• antiviral;
• anticancer drugs;
• immunosuppressors.

Antibacterial drugs are prescribed in case of purulent contents, as well as an infection that is provoked by bacteria. They are also indicated for the prevention of complications. The choice of a drug is determined strictly individually, depending on the state of he alth, the age of the child and the stage of development of the pathology.

If the disease was provoked by viruses, antiviral agents are prescribed. When they are used, the process of bacterial reproduction is suspended and the production of its own interferon is stimulated. To block the formation of malignant cells, anticancer drugs are prescribed.

If a child has an inflamed lymph node in the neck, gargling with antiseptic solutions, as well as topical ointments, can be prescribed as an adjunctive therapy.

Folk remedies

Many parents are interested: the child has an inflamed lymph node, is it possible to carry out treatment with the help of folk remedies. A compress of celandine leaves will help to cope with inflammation. To do this, you need to scald a handful of leaves of the plant with boiling water and let cool. Then the product should be applied to the affected area for 20 minutes. The procedure is recommended to be carried out 2 times a day.

Healing tea made from mint, chamomile or calendula helps to cope with inflammation. It is necessary to rinse with this remedy 3-4 times a day. Recommended for older childrenage.

At night, it is advisable to make an alcohol compress, for the preparation of which you need to dilute echinacea tincture with water 1:1. It is worth remembering that the use of folk remedies without consulting your doctor can be very dangerous, as some plants can cause allergies or negative skin reactions.

Possible Complications

In the absence of proper treatment or the patient ignoring the recommendations of specialists, the disease can become chronic, and also lead to various complications that pose a danger to the he alth and life of the patient.

Inflammation can spread to nearby tissues, provoking the development of periadenitis, abscess or phlegmon. With the localization of the infectious process in the respiratory area, there may be a spontaneous opening of the abscess, which will lead to the formation of a bronchial fistula.

Incorrectly performed surgery can cause severe bleeding, infection, and the release of cancer cells outside the node. In addition, there is a greater chance of developing lymphedema.

Forecast and prevention

With timely and properly conducted treatment, the prognosis is quite favorable, and in the case of a chronic course of the disease, it is possible to replace lymphoid tissue with connective tissue. Sometimes there is a violation of lymphatic drainage.

Very important is the prevention of the disease, which is to eliminate sources of chronic infection, timely treatment of purulent and traumatic lesions of the skin and teeth. Also veryit is important to boost immunity.

The problem of inflammation of the lymph nodes depends on many different factors. The key to successful therapy is the timely diagnosis of pathology, which can only be done by the attending doctor.