Swollen lymph node?

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Dear DIS medical experts lmao, I have a question.

Yesterday I woke up, and the lymph node just below/behind my right ear was very swollen and pronounced (it looks like there is a lima bean under my skin), although I didn't have any pain or problems. Today, it's very tender and somewhat painful, especially when I turn my head sharply, and sometimes feels kind of like burning or stinging. It's worse now (mid-afternoon) than when I woke up this morning.

I AM going to the doctor on Monday if it's not better, but I was just curious if anyone had any experience with this? I'm not sick, I feel fine otherwise. I also went to the dentist about 6 weeks ago without any problems, and I don't have any tooth pain, so I don't think it's an abscessed tooth (could that happen without any pain or symptoms?).

Anyone ever experienced this?

 

[themarquis]

A swollen lymph node generally means that there is an infection or inflammatory response somewhere in your body. Usually the location of the infection has to do with the location of the node -- so for example, a swollen gland in your neck or behind the ears signifies that there may be an infection in your mouth, sinuses, or somewhere in the area of your head.

Now, as to whether it's serious or not, who knows? Probably most swollen glands happen for totally harmless reasons -- like an infection or illness that is so mild that you never really have any other symptoms. Like say a cold that your body fights off. (the gland is swollen because it's fighting the bug, so it can be a good thing!) A lot of folks get them related to allergies. In the past, when I smoked, I used to get them a lot in my neck -- I think it was allergies + smoking = badness! NOw I get them rarely. I did get a really bad, hugely swollen gland recently after some deep dental cleaning. It was probably a subacute infection in my mouth or maybe (so the dentist said) my body dealing with all the gross germs and stuff that were stirred up during the cleaning (my mouth was in pretty bad shape, so I'm not surprised.)

Another thing is that you could be getting sick and in the next day or two you'll know why that gland was swollen!

Given that it's a gland behind your ear (those don't tend to swell up as frequently as the ones under the jaw) and that it's so huge, I agree that seeing the doctor might be a good idea. But I think it's most likely going to turn out to be nothing. They are really painful and annoying, though!

 

[npmommie]

Dear DIS medical experts lmao, I have a question.

Yesterday I woke up, and the lymph node just below/behind my right ear was very swollen and pronounced (it looks like there is a lima bean under my skin), although I didn't have any pain or problems. Today, it's very tender and somewhat painful, especially when I turn my head sharply, and sometimes feels kind of like burning or stinging. It's worse now (mid-afternoon) than when I woke up this morning.

I AM going to the doctor on Monday if it's not better, but I was just curious if anyone had any experience with this? I'm not sick, I feel fine otherwise. I also went to the dentist about 6 weeks ago without any problems, and I don't have any tooth pain, so I don't think it's an abscessed tooth (could that happen without any pain or symptoms?).

Anyone ever experienced this?

The lymph node itself can become infected ( lymphadenitis), since you are seeing the doc on monday in the mean time you can put warm compresses on it.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

A swollen lymph node generally means that there is an infection or inflammatory response somewhere in your body. Usually the location of the infection has to do with the location of the node -- so for example, a swollen gland in your neck or behind the ears signifies that there may be an infection in your mouth, sinuses, or somewhere in the area of your head.

Now, as to whether it's serious or not, who knows? Probably most swollen glands happen for totally harmless reasons -- like an infection or illness that is so mild that you never really have any other symptoms. Like say a cold that your body fights off. (the gland is swollen because it's fighting the bug, so it can be a good thing!) A lot of folks get them related to allergies. In the past, when I smoked, I used to get them a lot in my neck -- I think it was allergies + smoking = badness! NOw I get them rarely. I did get a really bad, hugely swollen gland recently after some deep dental cleaning. It was probably a subacute infection in my mouth or maybe (so the dentist said) my body dealing with all the gross germs and stuff that were stirred up during the cleaning (my mouth was in pretty bad shape, so I'm not surprised.)

Another thing is that you could be getting sick and in the next day or two you'll know why that gland was swollen!

Given that it's a gland behind your ear (those don't tend to swell up as frequently as the ones under the jaw) and that it's so huge, I agree that seeing the doctor might be a good idea. But I think it's most likely going to turn out to be nothing. They are really painful and annoying, though!

Thanks for the reply. We are having some of the worst pollen/allergy conditions in the country right now in TN so maybe that's why! I didn't even think of that.

 

[BelleRocks]

I had swollen lymph nodes with no other symptoms. Turned out to be Cat Scratch Disease! If a cat scratches you there can be a certain bacteria you can get. I was on antibiotics and the swelling didn't go away for about 8 weeks.

 

[Jockaroo]

I have the same thing you do--except it is behind my left ear. Popped up last Sunday. I received a tick bite on my head a few days prior. I've been on antibiotics since Tuesday and the swelling is subsiding. Have you been in any areas where you may have gotten a tick bite? The doctor told me that even if the tick isn't carrying a harmful disease, there are still lots of bacteria introduced from the bite. Also, any open sores or scratches can cause this. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

I had swollen lymph nodes with no other symptoms. Turned out to be Cat Scratch Disease! If a cat scratches you there can be a certain bacteria you can get. I was on antibiotics and the swelling didn't go away for about 8 weeks.

I have cats, too! Ugh. Thanks, everyone for the responses. I am going to keep an eye on it, and go to the doctor next week if it doesn't clear up.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

Absolutely never hurts to get things checked out. About four years ago, I found a bunch of nodes that were swollen without any symptoms of a cold/infection/etc. They ended up being permanently swollen nodes that never went down after a former infection.