Sometimes a gland on just one side of the body swells. You might also have other symptoms, such as a sore throat, cough or high temperature. Things you can do yourself Swollen glands should go down within 2 weeks. You can help to ease the symptoms by: resting drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration taking painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen do not give aspirin to children under 16 Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:.
Lipomas are growths of fat cells under the skin. A lipoma lump will be soft, move easily, and have no coloration. Lipomas tend to grow very slowly, are rarely cancerous, and will usually cause no other symptoms. Cancers of the salivary gland, skin, or lymph nodes can cause a lump to form under the chin.
Hodgkin disease and leukemia may also lead to swollen lymph nodes. Cancerous lumps are typically hard to the touch and may have an odd shape. There may be pain in the area if the lump is touching any nerve cells.
If this continues, a person may feel partial numbness or tingling in the area. A doctor may suggest a biopsy to determine if the lump is benign or cancerous. They may recommend surgical removal. If the lump is cancerous, doctors may also recommend radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Because of the wide range of possible causes, a professional diagnosis is essential.
Unless the cause of a lump is apparent, consult a doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. A doctor may recommend antibiotics to treat any possible infections. They may also need to take a closer look at the lump and request an imaging test. A lump under the chin is usually not a sign of a severe condition.
The glands lymph nodes on either side of the neck, under the jaw, or behind the ears commonly swell when you have a cold or sore throat.
More serious infections may cause the glands to enlarge and become very firm and tender. Glands can also swell and become tender after an injury, such as a cut or bite, or when a tumor or infection occurs in the mouth, head, or neck. Swollen glands and other lumps under the skin can be caused by many different things, including illness, infection, or another cause. Swollen glands commonly develop when the body fights infections from colds, insect bites, or small cuts.
More serious infections may cause the glands to enlarge and become firm, hard, or tender. Examples of such infections include:. Hernias or aneurysms are bulging sections in a muscle or blood vessel. A nodule is usually a growth on a gland. A hernia, aneurysm, or nodule may be felt under the skin but may not be visible.
These types of lumps may need more medical evaluation. A lump caused by cancer is usually hard, irregularly shaped, and firmly fixed under the skin or deep in tissue. Although they usually do not cause pain, some types of cancerous lumps are painful.
Most lumps are not caused by cancer. Check your symptoms to decide if and when you should see a doctor. Many things can affect how your body responds to a symptom and what kind of care you may need.
These include:. You have answered all the questions. Based on your answers, you may be able to take care of this problem at home.
Certain health conditions and medicines weaken the immune system's ability to fight off infection and illness. Some examples in adults are:. A soft lump in one of these areas belly button, groin, past surgical site may be a hernia.
A hernia can occur when there is a weakening in the muscle wall and part of an internal organ often part of the bowel pushes through. With a hernia, the lump may go away when you press on it or lie down, and it may get worse when you cough.
It may or may not be painful. Based on your answers, you may need care soon. The problem probably will not get better without medical care. Based on your answers, you may need care right away. The problem is likely to get worse without medical care. Sometimes people don't want to call They may think that their symptoms aren't serious or that they can just get someone else to drive them. Or they might be concerned about the cost. But based on your answers, the safest and quickest way for you to get the care you need is to call for medical transport to the hospital.
Call your doctor if any of the following occur during home treatment:. Wash your hands frequently during cold and cough season. This may help prevent some upper respiratory infections that cause glands to swell. To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment. You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:.
Blahd Jr. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Topic Overview Most swollen glands or lumps under the skin are not cause for concern. Infections Swollen glands commonly develop when the body fights infections from colds, insect bites, or small cuts. Examples of such infections include: Bacterial infections , such as: Strep throat, caused by the streptococcus bacterium.
A boil abscess , similar to a large pimple. A boil may develop when a hair follicle or the skin becomes infected. A sweat gland abscess may form one or more lumps in the armpit that look like boils. Viral infections , such as: A viral infection of the skin molluscum contagiosum , which causes small pearly or flesh-colored bumps. Since certain diseases or medications can cause swollen lymph nodes, giving your medical history helps them find a diagnosis.
After the physical examination, blood tests may be ordered to check for certain diseases. If necessary, the doctor may order an imaging test to further evaluate the lymph node or other areas of your body that may have caused the lymph node to swell.
Common imaging tests used to check lymph nodes include:. If the above tests suggest the need for further evaluation, the doctor may order an MRI. In certain cases, even further testing may be needed following the MRI. In this case, the doctor may order a lymph node biopsy. This is a minimally invasive test that consists of using thin, needle-like tools to remove a sample of cells from the lymph node.
Swollen lymph nodes may become smaller on their own without any treatment. In some cases, the doctor may wish to monitor them without treatment.
In the case of an infection, you may be prescribed antibiotics or antiviral medications to eliminate the condition responsible for the swollen lymph nodes. Your doctor might also recommend medications such as acetaminophen Tylenol and ibuprofen Advil, Motrin to help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Swollen lymph nodes caused by cancer may not shrink back to their normal size until the cancer is treated.
Cancer treatment may involve removing the tumor or any affected lymph nodes. It may also involve chemotherapy to shrink the tumor. The only way to prevent swollen lymph nodes is to prevent the conditions that may cause them. Some steps you can take are below:. If you experience any of the symptoms that sometimes accompany swollen lymph nodes, or if you have painful swollen lymph nodes and no other symptoms, talk with a doctor.
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