EWhen you put your hand on your neck, when you shave, when you apply make-up, you sometimes feel like there is a small lump under the skin. It doesn’t necessarily hurt. But what is it? The lumps we touch on the neck are most often swollen lymph nodes. “Normal” lymph nodes cannot be felt. If it is palpable, it means it is swollen. Something is happening that threatens our health.
Because the ganglion is a very small defensive position. It filters fluid called lymph that carries immune cells. When an infection appears somewhere in its “sector”, for example in the cervical lymph nodes, namely the head and neck sector, the lymph nodes start working. This produces more defense cells, and in response, they grow larger. Often this is a sign of mobilization, not a sign of seriousness. This occurs in cases of tonsillitis, ear infections, inflamed teeth, or small wounds in the mouth or scalp.
In this situation, the ball is quite flexible, mobile, sensitive to touch. It reduces spontaneously within two to three weeks, once the problem is resolved. Sometimes the situation is different. The lymph nodes are swollen, but firmer, not painful at all, less mobile when touched, and have not regressed after a month. It is very important to consult. Because lymph nodes that do not deflate can reflect chronic disease, ongoing infection, disease of the immune system or cancer of the lymphatic system, or disease in surrounding areas such as the throat, mouth, or thyroid.
Worried if the problem persists
Concretely, the doctor sorted things out: he felt the lymph nodes and under the jaw, on both sides of the neck, on the back of the neck above the collarbone. Depending on the findings, he will look for other swollen lymph nodes in the body. And he will order tests to analyze these swollen lymph nodes more precisely.
In practice, for each of us, even without being a doctor, here are simple guidelines to guide us:
- After a cold, sore throat, pain in the mouth, dental problems: slightly sensitive little balls are normal and not serious;
- If there is no infection or wound, and especially if the lump persists for more than 3-4 weeks, then this is cause for concern. Suspicious lymph nodes are those that persist for a long time, are very hard, completely painless and fixed.
The cervical lymph nodes are the guardians. When it swells, it indicates that the body is taking action. When they no longer deflate, they simply ask to be heard, without panic, but without waiting.
