The main function of the lymph nodes in the human body is to protect against infections. Normally, they should not bother us. If reddening of the skin, enlargement, tightening in the area of the lymph node have been noticed, you should immediately consult a doctor. Perhaps it’s all a matter of banal SARS or hypothermia, but there can be more serious problems, such as a sexually transmitted disease. An enlarged lymph node in the groin in men causes a lot of discomfort. We will talk about the causes and consequences of this process in the article.
We understand the problem
Many are interested in: “Why are lymph nodes inflamed in the groin of men?” The reasons may be the following:
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- HIV infection
- Early stage of tuberculosis
- Lower limb infection
- Kidney problems
- Neoplasms
- Reaction to some medications
- Pelvic problems
- Furunculosis.
Also, do not forget that the lymph node in the groin can increase due to a common cold, allergic reactions. Remember if there was an injury in the groin, perhaps this is the reason. Also, slight increases can be due to inguinal hernias and drug use.
Exploring the symptoms
How to understand that the lymph node in the groin in men is enlarged? First of all, the following symptoms will be present:
Pain At first, they can be insignificant, but with the development of lymphadenitis, the pain develops into a constant, acute one.
Redness. The skin area may turn crimson.
The lymph node enlarges, takes the form of a ball, the bulge is visible to the naked eye even without palpation.
Fever, chills, weakness.
If you do not consult a doctor in time, these symptoms will only increase. Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin in men, as a rule, indicates that an infection has entered the bloodstream, with which the body is actively fighting. In order to prevent the development of the acute phase of lymphadenitis, you need not to self-medicate, otherwise surgical intervention may be required.
There are methods that can not be applied:
Warm up the inflamed lymph node. This can lead to an increase in the amount of pus, sepsis.
Squeeze a bump.
Open the seal yourself.
These actions will only aggravate the course of the disease.
Visit to the doctor
If the lymph node in the groin has enlarged, men have unpleasant pain in this area when walking. First you need to see a therapist. After that, the doctor will refer you to a narrow specialist, a surgeon. He, in turn, will conduct an initial examination, palpate the desired area and, on the basis of the data received, will prescribe a series of tests to determine the treatment. In any case, you have to do:
General blood analysis. Thanks to him, it will be possible to find out the reason for the increase in lymph nodes. Particular attention must be paid to red blood cells and white blood cells.
Ultrasound of the lymph nodes, in some hospitals offer to do an x-ray. But it’s better to dwell on the first option.
If the case is running or there is suspicion of metastases, they suggest an MRI scan.
To make sure that there is no cancer, the doctor may suggest a biopsy and send it for a histological examination, which will show if there are cancer cells in this tissue fragment.
After all the tests have been passed, the doctor will choose the treatment method.
Types of lymphadenitis
When there is pain in the lymph nodes in the groin in men, doctors make a diagnosis of lymphadenitis. Classify it as follows. According to the nature of the course of the disease, it is divided into:
Acute. The disease manifests itself sharply.
Chronic. Due to untimely access to a doctor, it develops into a chronic form. Subsequently, any acute respiratory viral infection causes inflammation of the node.
Recurrent. After treatment, the disease returns again.
By its etiology, it can be:
Non-specific. It appears as a result of damage to the skin and the penetration of infections through them.
Specific. It is observed as a result of damage to the body by tuberculosis, syphilis, HIV and other diseases.
Serous. It occurs due to neoplasms or metastases.
Purulent. One of the fastest running can lead to sepsis.
Vaccinal. The body's response to vaccination. It is often a complication of BCG vaccine.
In any case, with an increase in the lymph node in the groin, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Choosing a treatment method
The treatment of lymphadenitis can be chosen by the doctor. It can be of two types: radical and conservative. In the second case, antibiotics are used, local painkillers, ointments that perfectly cope with suppuration. Electrophoresis helps, the use of ultrasound. In addition, medications can be prescribed that help to increase the protective functions of the body. Also attributed to the diet, health gymnastics, which does not load the muscles of the lower extremities.
Radical measures include surgery. In the event that lymphadenitis is detected in an advanced stage, sepsis and necrosis of surrounding tissues may begin. To prevent this, a lymph node opens under local anesthesia, pus and other fluid are pumped out, antibiotics are injected into the wound. After that, rest and bed rest are attributed.
If lymphadenitis is chronic, doctors often resort to removing an inflamed lymph node. But this measure is radical, and not every surgeon supports it.
At the initial stage of the disease, folk remedies, for example, dandelion juice, help well. For this, the stems of the plant must be washed well with water, doused with boiling water, finely chopped, extract the juice and put gauze on the inflamed node. Leave the compress for 2 hours. Perform the procedure 2 times a day.
Peppermint leaves help well. It is necessary to make incisions on them so that they let out the juice, and also attach to the sore spot.
Apply alternative methods of treatment only after consulting a doctor. It is important not to start the course of the disease, so as not to resort to surgical procedures.
How to distinguish lymphadenitis from neoplasm?
Inflamed lymph nodes, the photo of which is presented below, were formed as a result of lymphadenitis (the body's reaction to the presence of infection in the blood). An experienced doctor can immediately conclude that this is not an oncological disease. With lymphadenitis, the diameter of the seal will be no more than 2 centimeters. It is important that they are well palpated, not soldered to the skin, loose. Touching them causes pain. An ultrasound of the lymph nodes will give a more accurate picture.
If there is a tumor lesion, the seal will be hard, the ball does not move on palpation, firmly soldered to the skin.
We carry out prevention
Inflamed lymph nodes, the photo of which is presented in the article, deliver a lot of unpleasant pain to the patient. They need to be treated immediately. Are there any preventative measures that can prevent such a disease? First of all, you need:
Treat wounds if they occur to prevent infection through them.
Avoid injury to the groin.
Treat colds.
Strengthen the immune system.
Eat properly.
Those people who have had lymphadenitis should stick to a certain diet. It is better to exclude fatty meat, spicy, salty dishes, whole milk from the diet.
Could there be consequences?
An inflamed lymph node in the groin in men can indicate the onset of a serious illness. Therefore, you must immediately consult a doctor for help. Procrastination can cause a number of complications:
Sepsis.
Tissue necrosis.
Encephalitis.
Abscess.
These complications arise only in extremely advanced cases, but there is still a risk of their development.
To summarize
The normal size of the lymph nodes in the groin in men is up to 10 mm in diameter. In all other cases, they are considered enlarged, which indicates the presence of infection in the body. Beginning lymphadenitis is impossible not to notice. The affected node hurts, is enlarged, the skin has a reddish tint. Perhaps the reason lies in wet feet, or a wound that is on the lower extremities. But the cause of this disease can only be determined by a doctor according to the results of tests and ultrasound.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin in men indicates that there is a certain infection in the body that is certainly worth treating. When the first signs of the disease appear, you must contact the clinic. Perhaps the reason is a weakened immunity, but there may be more serious factors that contributed to the development of lymphadenitis.