#SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES IN BACK OF NECK SKIN#

swollen lymph node related to a nose, throat, or mouth infection.When the lump forms on either side of the neck, possible causes include: swollen lymph node related to a scalp infection.If the lump appears somewhere on the back of the neck, possible causes include: But in many cases, including the enlargement of certain lymph nodes, the location of the lump can help steer you and your doctor toward the right diagnosis. You have 200 or so lymph nodes in your neck, so a swollen node can occur almost anywhere. In rare cases, a small lump that forms in the neck is a cancerous solid tumor or a swollen lymph node because of leukemia or lymphoma.Īs mentioned above, see a doctor if the lump grows to 1 inch in diameter or larger or does not shrink after 2 or more weeks. Bug bites and stings tend to have a distinct look and may itch. Insect bite or stingĪ raised red lump on the neck that appears suddenly may be a reaction to an encounter with a mosquito or other insect. With rest, these injuries usually heal on their own. thyroglossal duct cyst, formed in the womb when the duct used for distributing the thyroid gland does not fully disappear and extra cells clump together to form a cyst (surgical removal is standard)Īn injured neck muscle may cause general swelling or a small lump to form under the skin.branchial cleft cyst, which develops from abnormal neck development while in the womb (it’s typically surgically removed to prevent infection or other complications).dermoid cyst, which should be removed, as it can become infected and grow bigger.Congenital neck massesĪ baby born with a neck mass is likely to have one of three congenital neck masses: A sebaceous cyst can form if the gland’s duct becomes damaged or blocked and sebum builds up inside.

#SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES IN BACK OF NECK SKIN#

Just under the skin are sebaceous glands that produce an oily substance (sebum) to keep your skin moisturized and protected. They can become inflamed, however, and may need to be removed. These cysts are usually painless and are unlikely to cause problems. Epidermoid cystĪn epidermoid cyst is located just under the skin’s surface and is filled with keratin, a protein that helps make up your skin and hair. Lipomas are usually painless and harmless, and don’t need to be removed except for cosmetic reasons. LipomaĪ lipoma is a bump formed by fatty tissue just under the skin’s surface. A lump swollen by leukemia is usually painless. If the lump is warm and tender to the touch, that’s probably a sign of the body fighting an infection. If the node remains unchanged or grows over a period of a few weeks, it could be something more serious, such as leukemia. If a lymph node swells in response to an infection, it will usually shrink within 2 to 3 weeks. If this occurs, you should see a doctor within 24 hours. While a lymph node in the neck is usually the size of a split pea, it can swell to be 1 inch in diameter or larger. lymphoma (though usually swollen lymph nodes due to this type of cancer also tend to occur in the groin or armpits rather than just the neck).tooth decay or abscess, which would affect a node area on one side, just under the jawbone.bacterial infection, which usually affects nodes on one side of the neck, but may occur on both sides.

viral infection, where the swollen nodes are typically the same on both sides of the neck.

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck can be a sign of a: Lymph nodes help filter out damaged or harmful cells from lymphatic fluid, and they also help fight infections by housing immune cells that fight disease. You have lymph nodes throughout your body, including split pea-sized on both sides of your neck. The following is a list of common reasons for a small, pea-sized neck lump to form.

A neck lump (also called a neck mass) has many potential causes.

Swollen lymph nodes in back of neck