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Swollen lymph glands

By Raising Children Network
 
 

There are lymph nodes (also known as ‘lymph glands’) throughout the body, working as part of the body’s immune system. If children are fighting infection or dealing with an injury or allergy, their lymph nodes might swell.

Causes

Children’s lymph nodes are generally larger than those of adults, so it’s easier to feel them. In fact, you can usually feel the lymph nodes in your child’s neck, even when your child’s well.

Lymph nodes can swell in reaction to many different things, such as cuts, scratches, burns and insect bites. Lymph nodes serve as a filter for bacteria and can also get bigger during certain infections, such as a sore throat. They might also swell in response to viral infections such as glandular fever.

Lymph nodes can stay enlarged for up to a month after the infection has cleared.

Lymph nodes that are swollen all the time might be related to eczema. Cancer is a rare cause of swollen lymph glands in children. 

Symptoms

Lymph nodes tend to swell at times of infection. For example, if your child has tonsillitis, you might notice swollen and tender lumps in her neck. These are the lymph glands, which are busily fighting the infection. Sometimes lymph glands can swell up to several centimetres in size.

Lymph nodes filter fluid (‘lymph’) that is carried around in the vessels of the body’s lymphatic system. Groups of lymph nodes usually function over a certain area. Groin nodes filter lymph from the legs and lower abdomen, while nodes in the armpit filter lymph from the arms and chest. Neck nodes filter lymph from the head and neck region.

When to see your doctor

You should take your child to the doctor if:

  • there’s no obvious reason for your child’s lymph glands to be swollen
  • the node is greater than 3 cm in diameter
  • your child has trouble swallowing or breathing, and has swollen lymph glands in the neck
  • your child complains of pain over the area of swollen lymph glands
  • your child is unwell in addition to having swollen lymph glands.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on what’s causing the swelling in the lymph glands. For example, if the nodes are swollen because of a bacterial infection in your child’s throat, your child might need antibiotics. But if the swelling is caused by a viral infection such as glandular fever, usually all you can do is treat the symptoms.

In rare cases, a lymph node becomes infected itself. If this has happened, the gland will be large, the skin around it will be red, and it will be very painful. Seek immediate advice from your doctor – your child will need antibiotics and might need the infection drained.

 
 
 
  • Last reviewed17-05-2011
References

  • Curtis, N., Starr, M., & Wolf, J. (2009). Infectious diseases. In K. Thomson, D. Tey & M. Marks (Eds), Paediatric handbook (8th edn, pp. 380-421). Melbourne: Wiley-Blackwell.

    Camitta, B.M. (2007).Lymphadenopathy. In R. Kliegman, R. Behrman, H. Jenson & B. Stanton (Eds), Nelson textbook of pediatrics (18th edn, pp. 2093-2096). Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

    Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. (2005). Cervical lymphadenopathy. Retrieved March 29, 2011, from http://www.rch.org.au/clinicalguide/cpg.cfm?doc_id=5166.

    Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2010). Swollen lymph nodes. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/swollen-lymph-nodes/DS00880.

    Oguz, A., Karadeniz, C., Temel, E.A., Citak, E.C., & Okur, F.V. (2006). Evaluation of peripheral lymphadenopathy in children.  Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, 23(7), 549-61.

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