swollen lymph nodes?

shootist16

shootist16

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Came home from work last night and as I was getting undressed noticed that my underarm lymph nodes are swollen. Well, two of them anyway. What would cause this and what can I do for it?
 
I wouldn't worry quite yet, the 'nodes can swell as they are fighting sickness, could be you are fighting a cold.

If they persist, get quiet enlarged or are especially tender then see a doc.

(I not a doctor, so it's my .02)
 
Your body is fighting an infection. Even if you don't feel sick now is a good time to take it a little easy; fighting an infection is enough of a workout without going to the gym, climbing mountains, running a marathon.... Give it a chance and your body may be able to keep the infection confined to your lymph system and defeat it there and you'll never get sick at all.
 
No, if that's the only symptom I wouldn't be worried at all. Happens all the time, and usually doesn't amount to anything as long as you have enough sense to take it a little easy for a while. :cool:
 
Nothing to worry about for now. Just take it easy. However, if it doesn't go away or gets worse: doctor. No argument.
 
Do you have cats? Have you gotten scratched by a cat recently? Got a fever, even a little one? Are the lymph nodes tender when you press on them? Are they somewhat resilient when pressed or are they hard? If they're tender and you are febrile, the nodes are most likely reactive to a local infection and doing their job. If they are hard and don't hurt when pressed it could indicate something else. Rather than worry unnecessarily, get yourself checked out if things don't resolve in a couple days. Surrendering to the medical professionals and getting real answers is always better than waiting and worrying. Not to be scary, but enlarged lymph nodes are often a symptom of lymphoma, so it's not good to wait too long, especially if you notice they are growing.
 
Get it checked out.

It can be something to worry about.


Nothing to have internet diagnosis on. Let a doc see you and run the appropriate tests.


Paul
 
And while you are waiting to get in to the Dr. try upping your vitamins, drinking green or herbal teas, and getting extra rest. Anything that will inhance your immune system.

Jack
 
Once they start getting as large as cantalopes, I'd see a doc. :D

Seriously, though, the guys are right. If they're mildly swollen, I wouldn't worry. If they do stay that way for a while, or get as big as 'lopes, I'd see the doc.
 
"First time that I got it I was just 10 years old. Got it from some kitty next door"...

Got a cat? A swollen lymph node should be of some concern, especially if there is not an infected wound distal to the lymph node. (in this case, your arm) I can't claim to be an expert on people stuff, but if you were a dog... I'd be doing a fine needle aspirate of your lymph node and sending it off to the lab. Do you have LN's enlarged anywhere else? If so, git yourself to the docs ASAP.
 
ptn said:
Do you have cats? Have you gotten scratched by a cat recently? Got a fever, even a little one? Are the lymph nodes tender when you press on them? Are they somewhat resilient when pressed or are they hard? If they're tender and you are febrile, the nodes are most likely reactive to a local infection and doing their job. If they are hard and don't hurt when pressed it could indicate something else. Rather than worry unnecessarily, get yourself checked out if things don't resolve in a couple days. Surrendering to the medical professionals and getting real answers is always better than waiting and worrying. Not to be scary, but enlarged lymph nodes are often a symptom of lymphoma, so it's not good to wait too long, especially if you notice they are growing.
Click to expand...

No cat. They aren't very large and they are tender.
 
I had problems with mine when I got Lyme disease.I wouldn't wait too long,certainly not more than a few day's.Are the glands in your neck swollen also?
 
Sometimes even the doctors aren't able to connect the lymph node swelling to a specific cause. After going through treatment for non-hodgkins lymphoma 10 years ago myself, enlarged nodes on my eldest daughter's neck really alarmed me. After a week or so of waiting for the situation to resolve we sought medical attention. After another few weeks with no shrinkage, we had a tissue biopsy done. It was negative for cancer. The doctors could only speculate on the cause. Might have been a cat scratch. We have cats but never saw a wound and my daughter didn't recall one. The doctor suggested that sometimes cats sleep near one's head and maybe lightly puncture the scalp while kneading. This makes sense as the lymph is headed down from the head through the cervical chains of nodes. Anyway the node shrunk to normal size in due time. My daughter still shows me her little scar and gives me a slightly sarcastic thanks. Perhaps I was quick to get the biopsy but it sure was a relief to to rule out cancer. I am not a doctor and this place is not a replacement for one. If it is really worrying you, make the appointment. If you can stand it for a week, see if they either get bigger or shrink, then you'll know for sure if you need help. I spent a couple months in denial taking antibiotics and steroids to shrink the growing nodes in my neck before I got the biopsy which confirmed lymphoma. It is most likely nothing to worry about but only the pros can tell you for sure. I'm thinking the best for you. phil
 
I hate to sound stupid but what does a cat scratch have to do with a swolen lymph node? Do they cause that or something?
 
If I feel swollen lymph nodes I don't worry. If I can see swollen lymph nodes I go see a doctor. Here in Colorado it is fairly common for prairie dogs and squirrels to have Bubonic Plague. The "buboes" in Bubonic Plague are swollen lymph nodes. Below is a picture of armpit buboes. They are also commonly in the groin with the plague.
bubo2.jpg
 
"I hate to sound stupid but what does a cat scratch have to do with a swolen lymph node? Do they cause that or something?" Joe-Dirt

Cats walk in their litter boxes and pick up bacteria on their feet. When They purr and knead their paws and claws on one's body they may lightly puncture the skin and deposit bacteria. Our lymphatic system is a one way circulatory system made of tubes very much like veins. These lymphatic vessels collect tissue fluids from all over our bodies and carry it to larger and larger lymphatic vessels ( like tributaries feeding a river system )which eventually deposit the fluid back into the bloodstream just before it enters the heart. Along the way the lymph (collected tissue fluid) is "cleaned" by stationary phagocytes (cells that consume and metabolize waste, toxins and pathogens like the bacteria from the cat's claws). These little cells live in the lymph nodes which occur at intervals along the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a key part of our body's immune system. If they are working hard fighting an infection the nodes swell. Swelling of nodes, fever and tenderness to palpation are typically symptomatic of normal immune function. That's why it may be nothing to worry about. I'm sorry to be pedantic, but I hope this helps to explain the cat connection to enlarged lymph nodes.
 
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