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This article was co-written by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee is a licensed family physician practicing in Tennessee. She received her MSN from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
This article has been viewed 102,887 times.
Lymph nodes are small, round granules belonging to tissues located in the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes play a very important role in the body’s immune response, so they often swell in response to infections and other causes. Lymph nodes may even remain swollen several weeks after the infection has cleared up. Self-exams of your lymph nodes can help you identify health problems early. If your lymph nodes are swollen for longer than a week, you should see your doctor for an examination. If your lymph nodes are painful and swollen, along with other symptoms, you need to see a doctor right away.
Steps
Look for swollen lymph nodes
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Locate the lymph node. Lymph nodes are mainly concentrated in the neck, collarbone, armpit and groin area. Once you know the location of the lymph nodes, you can check for pain and swelling in the lymph nodes. [1] X Research Source
- In addition, there are other groups of lymph nodes on the body, including the inside of the elbow and the knee, but these locations are less commonly used to check for swollen lymph nodes.
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Examine areas without lymph nodes for comparison. Press 3 fingers into the arm. Feel around under the skin, noticing the sensations of the underlying tissues. This will help you know what normal and non-swollen areas of the body feel like.
- Non-swollen lymph nodes are only slightly stiffer than the surrounding tissue. Only when they are irritated and swollen can you feel them easily.
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Check the lymph nodes in the neck and collarbone. Use 3 fingers in both hands at the same time to circle behind the ears, gradually moving down both sides of the neck and below the jawline. If you feel a lump and feel pain, it could be that the lymph nodes are swollen. [2] X Research Source
- Don’t worry if you can’t feel the lymph nodes in your neck. This is completely normal.
- Gently and slowly move your fingers to feel groups of hard tissue under the skin. Lymph nodes are usually grouped and are usually about the size of a pea. Normal healthy lymph nodes will feel tougher and more supple than surrounding tissue, but not as hard as a rock.
- If the lymph nodes in your neck are not palpable, you can tilt your head to the side that you have trouble examining. This position will help loosen up the muscles and allow you to feel the lymph nodes more easily.
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Palpate the lymph nodes in the armpit. Place 3 fingers in the center of the armpit. Continue sliding down the upper body a few centimeters until just above the edge of the breast. Lymph nodes in this area are located under the armpit, near the chest. [3] X Research Sources
- Use your fingers to feel all over the area with light pressure. Move your fingers forward, behind your torso, up and down a few centimeters.
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Palpate the inguinal lymph nodes in the groin area. Move the first 3 fingers to the folds where the thighs meet the pelvis. Press your fingers into the folds with moderate pressure and you should feel the underlying muscles, bone, and fat. If you feel a distinct lump in this area, it could be a swollen lymph node. [4] X Research Sources
- The nodes in this area are usually located just below a large ligament, so they can be difficult to feel without swelling.
- Remember to check both sides of the groin. This allows you to compare and determine if a lymph node on one side is swollen.
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Identify swollen lymph nodes. Do you notice a difference in how it feels when you press on the upper arm? You’ll feel the bone and muscle beneath the skin, but the swollen lymph node will feel different and mostly out of place. If you feel a lump and feel pain, it may be a swollen lymph node. [5] X Research Sources
Go to the doctor to check the lymph nodes
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Watch for swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes swollen lymph nodes are caused by a reaction to an allergen or to a short-term bacterial or viral infection. In this case, the lymph nodes usually return to normal within a few days. However, if the lymph node remains swollen, stiff, or painful for more than a week, you need to see your doctor to determine the cause. [6] X Research Source
- Even if there are no other signs of illness, you should see a doctor if swollen lymph nodes do not go away for a long time.
- If you have hard, painless and unchanged lymph nodes larger than 2.5 cm, see your doctor as soon as possible.
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See your doctor right away if you have certain symptoms. Swollen lymph nodes can be a sign that the immune system is fighting a serious illness. If swollen lymph nodes are accompanied by any of the following symptoms, see your doctor promptly: [7] X Research Source
- Unexplained weight loss
- Night sweats
- Persistent fever
- Difficulty swallowing or breathing
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Tell your doctor if any other symptoms appear. While not all symptoms signal a serious illness, you can help your doctor make a diagnosis by letting them know about all of the symptoms. Some common symptoms that often co-occur with swollen lymph nodes include: [8] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Runny nose
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Swollen lymph nodes in different areas of the body at the same time
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Assess whether swollen lymph nodes are due to an infection. If you go to the doctor, the doctor will feel the lymph nodes to make sure they are swollen. They will then need to identify viral and bacterial infections that may have caused the swollen lymph nodes by taking a blood or fluid sample from a part of the body (such as the throat) for testing. [9] X Research Source
- You will usually be tested for common diseases that cause swollen lymph nodes, including common viral infections, such as sore throat.
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Tests to diagnose autoimmune diseases. Your doctor will usually evaluate the general condition of your immune system. They may order a number of different tests, including a general blood analysis, to evaluate immune system activity. This will help your doctor determine if you have an autoimmune disease that could be causing your swollen lymph nodes, such as lupus or arthritis.
- Diagnostic tests will help your doctor assess the function of your immune system, such as whether you are anemic or if there are any abnormalities in your lymph nodes.
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Cancer screening tests. In rare cases, swollen lymph nodes can be a symptom of cancer in the lymph nodes themselves or other parts of the body. Preliminary tests in diagnosing cancer may include blood tests, X-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds, and CT scans. When cancer is suspected, your doctor may recommend a lymph node biopsy to look for cancer cells. [10] X Trusted Source American Cancer Society Go to Source
- A lymph node biopsy is usually an outpatient procedure, but the doctor must make an incision or needle deep into the body to take a sample of lymph node cells.
- The tests your doctor orders will depend on the lymph nodes being examined and what factors they suspect are causing the problem.
Advice
- Swollen lymph nodes are common and usually clear up on their own within a few days.
Warning
- Lymph nodes can become irritated when touched too much, so don’t press too hard or touch too often; If not, it’s possible that your actions are causing the lymph nodes to swell.
X
This article was co-written by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee is a licensed family physician practicing in Tennessee. She received her MSN from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
This article has been viewed 102,887 times.
Lymph nodes are small, round granules belonging to tissues located in the lymphatic system. Lymph nodes play a very important role in the body’s immune response, so they often swell in response to infections and other causes. Lymph nodes may even remain swollen several weeks after the infection has cleared up. Self-exams of your lymph nodes can help you identify health problems early. If your lymph nodes are swollen for longer than a week, you should see your doctor for an examination. If your lymph nodes are painful and swollen, along with other symptoms, you need to see a doctor right away.
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