It's no secret that children get sick very often. However, even a perfectly he althy baby can experience completely inexplicable symptoms from time to time. This can include a lymph node on the back of the head. At the same time, it is important for parents to keep in mind that this is not an independent disease, but only one of its signs. To find out
what kind of disease has occurred (or is about to arise) in a child, you will have to see a doctor.
Lymphadenitis
By the way, did you know that there is a special term for enlarged lymph nodes - lymphadenitis. At the same time, both one lymph node and a whole group can differ in large sizes. As a rule, the increase is due to the ingestion of a microbe or virus. This is a kind of "defensive reaction" of the body, since the lymph node at the back of the head is something like a thin filter that allows lymph to pass through, but retains foreign particles. These particles come into contact with lymphocytes; thus, an immune response is formed. Therefore, this does not always indicate the presence of a disease - it is possible that the pathogenic object was safely neutralized.
Like thishappening
Are the lymph nodes on the back of the head inflamed? This indicates, first of all, that the viruses that penetrated the skin or mucous membrane "sailed" to the lymph nodes through the capillaries. Then the process of fighting the pathogen begins. If this microbe is already known to the body, it will be quickly neutralized. With an unfamiliar pathogen, general mechanisms are activated. Thus, a large number of cells accumulate in the lymph node, and the more active the process is, the larger it will become. He can react to touch with sharp pain. If the lymph node at the back of the head is constantly enlarged, this may indicate that the infection has lingered inside for a long time, and the inflammation has become chronic.
Infection
How to understand that lymphadenitis is a symptom of an acute illness? In this case, you need to carefully monitor all signs of the disease. If the lymph nodes on the back of the child's head are swollen and very sore, the baby's temperature is elevated, he coughs, refuses to eat, you should not try to self-medicate. It is strictly forbidden to apply compresses to the affected area. Doctors advise giving the patient an antipyretic and going to the hospital.
Blood diseases
An enlarged lymph node at the back of the head can be one of the signs of a blood disease or even an oncological process, as well as toxoplasmosis. The lymphatic system tries to prevent the spread of the malignant process throughout the body. That is why whenremoval of the tumor, experts point out the expediency of removing all nearby lymph nodes. This procedure significantly reduces the risk of tumor recurrence. The same applies to irradiation - it should be exposed not only to the neoplasm, but also to regional lymph nodes.
Mononucleosis
Often, an inflamed lymph node at the back of the head indicates the presence of mononucleosis in a child. In this case, the lymph nodes can reach one centimeter in diameter and are distinguished by a soft texture. When they recover, they return to normal rather quickly.
