Small bumps in your neck can be a little scary but often they are not anything to be concerned about.
Lymph nodes in the neck and other parts of the body commonly swell in response to fighting diseases. Usually, these infections are minor and treatable, and some even run their course without treatment. However, if the swelling or pain continues over two weeks, you shouldn’t ignore it because it could be a sign of severe disease, infection, or illness.
Only a healthcare professional can determine the cause of enlarged lymph node glands. Treatment will depend on the cause of the swelling.
The Function of These Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes filter the lymph that drains from the body. As they fulfill their function they often go unnoticed until they become overwhelmed and enlarged. The neck has a few hundred nodes that are part of drainage groups. These are the neck drainage groups:
- Submental and submandibular
- Upper jugulodigastric
- Supraclavicular Lymph Nodes
- Middle jugular
- Inferior jugular
- Posterior Cervical Lymph Nodes
Submental and Submandibular
The submental and submandibular nodes location is under the jawline, and the jugular nodes location is along the side of the neck with others located in the front of the neck and near the ears. These nodes drain the lymph from the scalp, the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. When there is an infection, injury, illness, disease, bacteria, or virus then the nodes will swell up to fight the problem.
Infection, Illness, or Disease in the Body can Cause Swelling
Cancer is the first thing that comes to mind when a person feels a swollen lymph node because it gets the most attention. Below are some of the other illnesses that will cause the neck lymph nodes to swell:
- Chickenpox – rash caused by a virus that causes red itchy bumps that fill w/pus and then scab over
- Mononucleosis – a virus that causes tiredness, a swollen spleen, and rash
- Strep throat – infection of the throat that causes little white bumps
- Lymphoma – a type of blood cancer
- MRSA – A bacterial Infection
- Yeast Infection
- Tonsillitis – infection of the tonsils
- Folliculitis – infection of the hair follicle
- Furuncle or boil – skin abscess
- Carbuncle – a group of boils
Treatment for swollen nodes, there are over the counter medication and at-home remedies that will relieve the symptoms while the body is being treated for the cause of the swelling (Swollen Neck Lymph Nodes: Causes – localhealth.com). In the case of a staph infection that develops into MRSA, prompt treatment will be necessary to avoid a serious life-threatening condition.
MRSA is a type of staph infection so strep throat doesn’t turn into it because different bacteria cause it. When there is throat or oral surgery the MRSA infection can enter through a break in the skin.
An Infection on the Face, Scalp, Neck, Mouth, and Throat
Though not as serious as cancer, an infection can become life-threatening. Swollen lymph nodes are one of the symptoms of infection. This is because the body will start producing white blood cells to fight the infection and also attempt to filter out the bacteria from the lymph.
When the lymph nodes on the neck start to swell, it can be from an infection caused by nicks from a razor or a pimple that has been “popped” and the bacteria can enter the body. To prevent this it is important to have good hygiene and to not share personal care items like razors. When getting a hair cut it will be important that all the tools are properly sanitized between clients.
Conclusion
The neck lymph nodes are responsible for filtering lymph from the head and neck area.