Often people notice small bumps on their neck, it is worth touching them - and pain is felt. What is it, what is the reason for their appearance? And the answer is simple - it's the lymph nodes. They are part of the lymphatic system responsible for the production of immune cells - mainly lymphocytes. Their main task is to neutralize viruses, pathogenic microorganisms that penetrate the body from the environment. How to treat inflammation of the lymph nodes, let's talk further. It should be remembered that this is a serious pathology, accompanied by infections and pathological conditions. When pathogens enter the body, the protective mechanism immediately starts - lymphocytes are produced intensively, which is why there is an increase.
Lymph node groups
Lymphatic vessels pass through the entire human body, but the lymph nodes are mainly concentrated in the groin, neck and armpits. They are necessary in order to clean it of viruses, "abnormal cells" and pathogenic bacteria. Their increase suggests that the infection settled very close to them. How to treat lymph nodes in the neck is a difficult question, because they can indicate angina or otitis media.
There are several groups of lymph nodes in the neck:
- anterior cervical deep and superficial;
- posterior cervical deep and superficial;
- chin;
- ear
- submandibular;
- occipital.
In the normal state, most of the nodes are not felt, but as soon as the infection appears, they immediately become active in order to fight the virus.
Causes of enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
Why are lymph nodes inflamed on the neck? How to treat them correctly? There are many reasons for the increase in size. The inflammatory process can be an independent pathology or a consequence of a major ailment.
The nodes in the neck area are responsible for processes that affect the soft tissues of the face and neck, mouth, ears, which is why, before answering the question of how to treat lymph nodes in the neck, you need to find out the cause of inflammation:
- Infections, mainly affecting the respiratory system and the oral cavity: influenza, tonsillitis, chickenpox, rubella, stomatitis, caries and others.
- Malfunctions in the immune system. A large number of pathogenic cells can be associated with untreated ailments, hypothermia, lack of minerals and vitamins, and stressful situations. It is believed that lymph nodes in people infected with AIDS are systematically increased, but this is not so. In patients with HIV, lymph node groups increase, rather than individual nodules.
- The degeneration of lymphatic cells in patients with malignant neoplasms.
- Injuries and accidental damage to tissues around the site.
In rare cases, there are other reasons:
- disruptions in metabolic processes;
- dysfunction in the thyroid gland;
- allergic reactions;
- chronic alcoholism.
Only after finding out the reason can you correctly answer the question of how to treat inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck.
Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin: causes
The increased size of the nodes in the groin in women and men can indicate a specific ailment:
- infections that enter the body through wounds on the feet, legs or buttocks: furunculosis, film dermatitis, BCG vaccine;
- pathologies caused by viruses or bacteria, such as mononucleosis, cytomegalovirus, herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, erysipelas and others.
Oncology can cause inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin. Therefore, to tell exactly how to treat lymph nodes in the groin, the doctor will say after examining and finding out the cause of this symptom. In women, nodes in the groin become inflamed most often due to gynecological pathologies: endometritis, peritonitis, bartholinitis, adnexitis.
Why are the lymph nodes under the arms inflamed?
Under the arms, the lymph nodes become inflamed when viruses and bacteria enter the body. Infections and colds can cause inflammation and an enlarged node. In women, breast diseases immediately lead to an inflammatory process in the nodes located under the armpits. Malignant neoplasms can be another cause of inflammation. Also, the inflammatory process can cause:
- thrombophlebitis;
- furuncle;
- erysipelas;
- allergic reactions;
- trophic ulcers.
In the event that the patient is completely healthy, the lymph nodes should not be palpated.
What are the signs to recognize inflammation of the lymph nodes?
Inflammation of the lymph nodes in medicine is called lymphadenitis. This disease is difficult not to notice. The first signal is enlarged nodes in the neck, pelvis, under the armpits. Other symptoms also appear:
- pain in the area of enlarged nodes;
- sensitivity when pressed;
- redness;
- seal.
In rare cases, other symptoms may appear:
- purulent inflammation;
- headache;
- weakness throughout the body;
- high body temperature.
One node or a group can become inflamed, so it is important to determine the cause, and only after that you can answer the question of how to treat inflamed lymph nodes.
Types of inflammation of the lymph nodes
There are several types of lymphadenitis:
- Purulent. The disease proceeds in a complex form, accompanied by severe constant pain in the lymph nodes. With this type of nodes, it is as if merged with one another and with nearby tissues. Another distinctive feature is the immobility of the nodes. Purulent fusion also occurs when suppuration appears in nearby soft tissues. The skin in this place turns red, as a result, a tumor appears with clear edges, its density can be different. The danger of this species is that inflammation spreads rapidly throughout the body.
- Non-purulent. This species does not bring such suffering as in the first case, and all because the general condition does not change. Lymph nodes are compacted, mobile and enlarged. Pain appears only on palpation.
There are also two types of the course of the disease:
- The acute period lasts about two weeks. It is distinguished by its sudden onset, pain in the nodes appears sharply, and they increase in size. Characteristic for this type is high body temperature and general malaise.
- The chronic form lasts about a month, appears after the acute. A similar condition involves enlarged nodes without unpleasant sensations. Other manifestations are most often not.
In the chronic form, the doctor recommends that the patient undergo a cytological and histological examination, after confirming the diagnosis, you can accurately tell how to treat inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Traditional treatments for lymphadenitis
Therapy of nodes is prescribed for pathology of connective tissue. In this case, the doctor prescribes UHF therapy - a physiotherapeutic method that involves exposure to the body of an electromagnetic field with a high frequency.
It is recommended to take anti-inflammatory drugs only as prescribed by the doctor, in order to prevent the manifestation of unwanted effects. Antibiotics are recommended for lymphadenitis only if the disease manifests itself as a result of the ingestion of pathogenic bacteria or purulent complications.
How to treat a lymph node under the arm? First of all, you need bed rest, taking a vitamin complex and a plentiful warm drink.
Purulent inflammatory process in some cases may require surgical intervention, which will allow to clean the nodes.
When treating nodes in the inguinal part, it is recommended:
- adhere to bed rest and diet;
- the main drugs are antibiotics, since a common cause of the disease is infection, a wide range of drugs can be prescribed until the cause is clarified;
- anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are additionally recommended.
Warming is strictly contraindicated.
If lymph nodes hurt in any part of the body, the doctor will tell you how to treat them, but practice has shown that complex therapy gives the desired results in a short time. It is recommended to combine traditional and traditional therapy.
Alternative methods of treatment
Alternative methods will help traditional treatment, speed up the recovery process, but can also hurt if they were chosen incorrectly. How to treat lymph nodes at home? Take decoctions, tinctures that perfectly cope with viruses and inflammation. The following recipes have proven their effectiveness:
- Echinacea tincture is considered a good antiseptic, it copes with inflammation in the lymphatic system. It is enough to take 10 drops of tincture, previously added to 50 ml of water, 4 times a day, and the inflammation will quickly go away.
- Green jadeite is a stone that does an excellent job cleaning the body. It should be the size, like a lymph node, apply it to the inflamed place for 10 minutes several times a day.
- Powder Canadian yellow root in the amount of 1 tsp. bred in a glass of water. Take a glass a day, sour-milk products should prevail in the diet in order to prevent indigestion.
- To rinse your mouth, you can use a decoction of calendula, chamomile and mint, the procedure is carried out up to 4 times a day.
- Soda and salt are suitable for rinsing, dilute 1/2 teaspoon of each product in a glass of hot water, cool and rinse 3-4 times a day.
- Aloe juice to take 1 tbsp. l daily.
- Massage with essential oils helps speed recovery. You need to mix 1 part of lavender oil, eucalyptus, tea tree and add 20 parts of olive and almond oil. Massage should be light so that it does not cause pain and discomfort.
We told how to treat the lymph node if it becomes inflamed at home, but we must remember that the described recipes can be used only after consulting a doctor. In no case should you use such tips:
- apply heating pads and warming compresses;
- rub the site of inflammation;
- apply iodine nets.
All these methods provoke the spread of infection in the blood vessels and exacerbate the condition. It is worth remembering that self-medication can cause the death of a patient if he has severely inflamed lymph nodes on his neck. How to treat correctly, the doctor will tell.
Prevention
There is no prevention of inflammation of the lymph nodes, since this symptom appears for various reasons. To prevent an increase in size, you need to follow these recommendations:
- monitor the health of the immune system;
- prevent acute infections;
- eat right and rationally;
- eliminate hypothermia;
- Do not stay in the drafts for a long time;
- temper, but only do it right and with all the recommendations;
- prevent microtrauma and infection of wounds;
- observe personal hygiene;
- use a gauze dressing at the peak of virus development.
If you follow all these tips, then the question of how to treat lymph nodes will not arise.
Lymphadenitis in children
Every mother knows every centimeter of her child’s body, and when she notices even the smallest bump on him, she begins to find out the reason. If the lymph nodes on the neck of a child become inflamed, a pediatrician should advise how to treat it. Therefore, first of all, you need to go to his appointment and undergo an examination, which he will recommend.
Inflammation in children is most often observed at the age of 5-7 years, this is due to the fact that the lymphatic system is not yet fully formed, and therefore the barrier function is not fully performed. As already mentioned, lymph nodes respond to infection and bacteria. The increase occurs for the same reasons as in an adult: infections, mechanical injuries, infectious and inflammatory processes. If the lymph nodes in the neck of a child are enlarged, how to treat it is impossible:
- no warming compresses and heating pads;
- constantly palpate;
- use dubious recipes.
It is better to immediately contact a pediatrician who will examine the child, ask leading questions. They will help to accurately identify the cause, and then appoint an examination that helps to accurately diagnose and select therapy.
In a child, enlarged nodes can become evidence of the development of a catarrhal disease, after the treatment of which they decrease in size on their own. But sometimes an increase can indicate a disease, but there are cases when a child has just such a feature of the body.
What to do if lymph nodes hurt? How to treat to remove discomfort? Inflammation can develop in the body, which you cannot immediately detect with the naked eye, but a general blood test will dot all the "i" - the number of lymphocytes will be increased. In what place is the inflammatory process going, the doctor will help find out, who will select the appropriate treatment. For example, if it is a throat, it will prescribe a rinse, and if the reason lies in a bacterial infection, then an antibiotic cannot be dispensed with.
Inflamed lymph nodes indicate an active immune system. Symptoms of inflammation should not be missed by adults, it is especially important to pay attention to those nodes that cause pain and discomfort.
How to treat lymph nodes in a child and an adult? The doctor who will conduct the examination will help to find the answer, identify the cause and help eliminate it. After this, the lymph nodes themselves will decrease in size, and will not bring discomfort.
Any body signal should not be missed. Even a slight swelling on the body can tell about the development of a serious pathology, which makes such a symptom manifest itself. No wonder they say that it is better to prevent than to treat. This is especially important when the acute form can easily turn into purulent and it will be possible to solve the problem surgically. If it comes to enlarged lymph nodes, then there may be a lot of reasons for this, but finding them is extremely important.