Glands, swollen
Alternative names:
swollen glands
Home care:
Soreness in lymph glands usually disappears in a couple of days without treatment. If the glands are painful, it is because of the rapid swelling of the gland in the early stages of fighting the infection. It takes much longer for the gland to return to normal size than to swell, so be patient.
Follow prescribed therapy, if appropriate, to treat the underlying cause.
Call your health care provider if:
- after several weeks of observation the glands don't get smaller (usually, however, this is not serious).
- swollen glands are red and tender.
- swollen glands are located behind the ear and there is also a scalp infection.
- one or more glands get larger over a period of 2 to 3 weeks.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting swollen lymph nodes in detail may include: - location
- Which node(s) are affected?
- Is the swelling the same on both sides?
- time pattern
- When did the swelling begin?
- How long has it lasted (how many months or weeks)?
- Did it begin suddenly?
- Did it develop gradually?
- Is the swollen node increasing in size?
- Is the number of nodes that are swollen increasing?
- associated complaints
- Is the node painful?
- Is the skin over or around the node red?
- Is the node tender when you gently press on it?
- other
- What other symptoms are occurring at the same time?
The physical examination may include pressing on many of the lymph nodes to look for size, texture, warmth, tenderness, and other features.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: After seeing your health care provider:
If a diagnosis was made by your health care provider related to swollen lymph nodes, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.
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