What should I do if my child has swollen lymph nodes in the neck?

As a parent, when you find that your child's cervical lymph nodes are swollen, you should pay attention to whether it is physiological or pathological. If it is mild swelling without other symptoms, no treatment is needed for the time being. However, if it is caused by some infection and the lymph nodes continue to grow, it is recommended to go to the hospital for diagnosis and then symptomatic treatment.

1. Generally speaking, if the lymph nodes are slightly enlarged, no larger than a pea, and are single or scattered, soft, non-tender, non-adhesive, and not accompanied by other symptoms, it is more likely to be physiological enlargement and does not require treatment for the time being, but changes must be closely observed. If it does not increase in size or gradually decreases in size, you can continue to observe; if it increases in size or increases in number, you must see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

2. If the swollen lymph nodes are large and numerous, especially in clusters, gradually or rapidly increasing in size, and adhered to surrounding tissues, and there are also swollen lymph nodes in other parts of the body (such as the armpits), accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, anemia, and weight loss, you should immediately go to the hospital for relevant examinations (such as tuberculin tests, lymph node biopsy) to achieve timely diagnosis and treatment.

3. Some congenital neck lumps are easily mistaken for lymph nodes, so be careful, such as the sternocleidomastoid muscle mass of congenital torticollis, cervical ribs, thyrohyoid cysts and branchial cleft cysts.

4. Whenever lymph nodes are swollen, parents do not need to be overly nervous, because most of them are physiological or benign lesions, but it is best to see a doctor to determine the cause and whether treatment is needed. If the swollen lymph nodes are caused by local infection of the head and face, upper respiratory tract infection, etc., the swollen lymph nodes will gradually subside after the cause is eliminated. There are many causes of swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Some of them do not require treatment for the time being, but must be closely observed, while others require timely diagnosis and treatment.