Lymph nodes in baby's neck

A baby is like heaven and earth to his parents. Parents’ care for their baby is reflected in all aspects. Lymph nodes are a common thing in our body. Many people have them, and they usually don’t attract too much attention. But it’s different if they appear on the baby’s neck. So, what should we do if there are lymph nodes on the baby’s neck? What is the cause? Does it need to be solved through surgery?

Infants' lymphadenopathy usually occurs 7-10 months after birth, mostly from behind the ears to the neck, and is the size of a small bean. It usually does not hurt when pressed. It is especially common in summer. The main reason is that the baby has itchy prickly heat and scratches with his hands. When the baby scratches with his hands, the bacteria hiding in the nails invade the baby's body through the scratched skin and stay in the lymph nodes. In order to prevent the bacteria from invading, the lymph nodes react and swell. This swelling usually does not suppurate and will be naturally absorbed without knowing it. However, it may not disappear for a long time, so you can ignore it. When suppuration occurs, it starts with redness around the periphery and it hurts when pressed. The prevention method is to give babies who are prone to prickly heat in summer a water pillow, change pillowcases frequently, and cut the baby's nails frequently. It is worth noting that when the swelling gradually becomes larger and the number continues to increase, you must take the baby to the hospital.

Sometimes you can feel lumps of varying sizes behind the ears, neck, under the jaw, and at the base of the thighs of children. Most of them are mobile and can slide under the skin. These small lumps are lymph nodes. Because lymphatic tissue, especially lymph nodes, develop rapidly within one year of age, healthy children may feel lymph nodes in superficial parts of the body such as behind the ears, neck, under the jaw, armpits, and groin (i.e., groin). However, the lymph nodes in these areas are normally no larger than soybeans, are mostly single, soft in texture, can slide under the skin, are painless, and are not adhered to the surrounding tissues. However, lymph nodes should not be palpated under the chin, supraclavicular fossa, or elbows. In some abnormal cases, lymph nodes may also become abnormally swollen. Because lymph nodes can produce lymphocytes in the blood, these lymphocytes have the function of defending against bacteria.

It is recommended to enhance children's immunity and prevent colds. If the lymph nodes in your neck are painful or hard, you should go to the hospital to see a doctor.