Swollen Lymph Node

A swollen lymph node is usually causes by an infection or occasionally caused by testicular cancer. A teen has a higher chance of encountering a swollen lymph node than an adult.

Swollen lymph node treatment

The treatment usually involves curing the cause of the swollen lymph node. The reason for a swollen lymph node is from:

Trauma
This could be a cut, bruise or some kind of shock to your body.

Infection
This is the most common reason for a swollen lymph node.

Testicular cancer
Even though very rare, you should be aware of this reason for a swollen lymph node. If testicular cancer is suspected, a biopsy may be carried out to confirm the diagnosis.

After the cause is cured, it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks before the swollen lymph node goes back to normal.

Swollen Lymph Node Location

Do you know the location of a swollen lymph node? No! You do now. Actually, it is simple to find your swollen lymph node location. They are under the skin at:

The neck
You can examine either side of the neck.

The underarms
You can examine just under your armpit.

The groin
You can examine where your groin and leg connect..

Examining a swollen lymph node

The location of a swollen lymph node can identify the problem.

• A swollen lymph node on your neck, underarms, and behind the ears normally swells when you have a cold or sore throat.
• A swollen lymph node under your arms may enlarge from trauma or infection to your arm or hand.
• A swollen lymph node in the groin may enlarge from an infection or injury to the groin, foot, leg, or testicles. Seldom, this enlargement may be caused by testicular cancer, or lymphoma (cancer that formed in the lymph node).

Identifying a swollen lymph node

The neck, underarm, and groin are the major spots to examine. While examining a lymph node, you are identifying the mass, appears, and tenderness.

• A normal lymph node is under ½ inch in mass, appears smooth, and un-tender.
• An infected lymph node is ½ to 1 inch in mass, appears smooth, and slightly tender. The tinny enlargement and softness means the lymph node is defeating the infection.
• A highly infected lymph node is over 2 inches in mass, appears pinkish, awfully tender. This indicates that the infection is succeeding against the lymph node. At this point, contacting your doctor immediately is necessary.

A painful swollen lymph nodes

• Applying heat on a painful swollen lymph node may reduce the pain.
• You can use an electric heating pad (on low) or a warm wet towel.

Advice

Dont squeeze your swollen lymph node because it may keep it from returning to normal size. A swollen lymph node that does not returning to normal in two months should be check by your doctor.

Lymph Node

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