There are many glands (or lymph nodes) in the neck and
the job of these lymph nodes is to drain areas of infection.
So whenever there is any type of infection or inflammation
in the head, throat, neck or other part of the body
these glands become swollen.
Different glands swell up for different reasons:
Viral sore throats, strep throat infections, tooth
infections and other mouth infections will cause swollen
glands in the neck.
Infections or irritations of the scalp will cause
swollen glands on the back part of the neck.
Eye infections can cause the glands in front of your
ears to enlarge
Glands in the groin area can enlarge from infections
of the legs
Swimmer’s ear can cause the glands in front
of and behind your ears to enlarge
Glands in the armpits and neck can enlarge from infections
in your arms (and one of the causes of such infections
is being scratched by a cat).
The lymph nodes or glands may even become infected
themselves and will enlarge quickly, becoming red
and tender.
Swollen glands are not usually a cause for concern
and they will mostly return to normal within a couple
of weeks. However, you will be wise to discuss with
your doctor if your young child’s swollen glands
are red and tender, if he has swollen glands all over
his body or is having nightly fevers or is loosing
weight. A swollen gland which continues to enlarge
or is still there after a few weeks also needs to
be investigated.
Many of the causes of swollen glands such as colds,
coughs, earaches and sore throats are viral in origin
as opposed to bacterial infections. And antibiotics
will only work for bacterial infections. There is
concern about the effects of repeated courses of antibiotics
especially on a child’s developing immune system.
Many doctors are now adopting a wait-and-see policy
for children with such infections and are supporting
parents who prefer tender loving care and alternative
medicine over antibiotics for treating viral infections.
Studies are also pointing to the need to approach
illnesses in our children in a way that encourages
their own natural immunity. Outside influences such
as stress or stresses, changes in the weather, poor
diet, or dairy products may be a contributing factor
to such illnesses.
