There are seals on the human body that you can feel with your hand or even see. They are called lymph nodes. Passing through such seals, the lymph is cleansed. During illness, inflammation occurs an increase in the lymph node in the child. Why this happens and what to do, this article will tell.
What are lymph nodes for
Lymph nodes play an important role in a child's he alth and immunity. The main task of the nodes is to cleanse the body of bacteria, viruses, foreign cells. Lymphocytes produced in the body stand up to protect the he alth of the child. During illness, the lymph nodes can enlarge, as they urgently need to produce an army of additional cells to fight foreign bodies.
Nodules are located all over the body. On the neck, behind the ears, in the groin, in the armpits, on the stomach. It is almost impossible to feel the nodules in a newborn, but by the age of a year in a he althy baby, the doctor should feel the lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are only the size ofa few millimetres. They are located in groups in certain places. The doctor during the illness will definitely check them for an increase and draw a conclusion about the condition of the child. An enlarged lymph node in a baby in the neck area indicates a sore throat, in the ear area - the presence of a viral infection. As a rule, in itself, changing the nodes is not dangerous. Sometimes children have lymphadenitis - an increase in lymph nodes throughout the body. The disease manifests itself with reduced immunity or with the appearance of malignant tumors in the body.
Symptoms of swollen lymph nodes
Normally, the increase in knots on the neck should not exceed 1 cm. Deviation to a greater extent indicates the presence of an infection in the body. When probing, there should be no pain, the lymph nodes have a dense structure and can be easily moved. These signs indicate the normal state of a person and do not require additional examinations.
The main symptoms of swollen lymph nodes in a child are:
- pain on palpation;
- tuberosity;
- friability;
- acquiring the wrong shape.
Sometimes the skin around becomes inflamed and red. In some cases, the nodules increase so much that they become visible visually.
Changing the size of lymph nodes
At a pediatrician's appointment, if there are complaints, the doctor will definitely examine the lymph nodes. If an increase in the cervical lymph nodes in children occurred by more than 1 cm, and inguinal by 1.5 cm, then it can be argued that there isinflammatory process.
Even in children under one year old, the size of the nodules changes during illness, but they are so small that it is not always possible to feel them. During the fight against foreign cells, lymphocytes are activated and begin to fight. If there are a lot of pathogenic bacteria and the body cannot cope, then the lymph nodes increase in size.
In children under 3 years of age, a slight increase in lymph nodes is acceptable due to the imperfection of the immune system. If there are no other manifestations of inflammation, then there is no need to treat the child.
Where are the lymph nodes
In children, the lymph nodes are in the same places as in adults. The largest group is called the cervical lymph nodes - they are located in the following places:
- on the back of the head;
- behind the ears;
- above collarbone;
- under the lower jaw;
- on the chin;
- in the upper triangle of the neck;
- behind the neck.
In addition, nodules are located all over the body:
- under the collarbone;
- under the arms;
- on the chest;
- at elbows;
- in the groin;
- under the knees.
Thus, the lymph nodes actively collect unnecessary substances and cleanse the entire body. Each cluster of lymphocyte producers is responsible for its part of the body. Therefore, an increase in the lymph nodes in a child helps doctors determine what is happening in the body.
Reasons for increase
The causes of swollen lymph nodes in children can be different, more oftenthere is nothing dangerous about it. The body fights viruses and launches the immune system. But prolonged or excessive swollen lymph nodes can indicate serious problems. Top Reasons for Node Changes:
- The increase is due to hormonal changes, active growth, the formation of the immune system. The condition is common in children under 3 years of age and adolescents.
- After scratching cats and introducing bacteria into the wound. There is a state of lymphadenitis.
- With a decrease in immunity due to past infections, in the autumn-winter period, with chronic diseases.
- During teething, with diseases of the oral cavity.
- Due to hypothermia.
- Mononucleosis occurs in the presence of the Epstein-Barr virus in the blood and is characterized by a strong increase in nodes in the neck.
- For oncological neoplasms.
- For thyroid diseases.
- During autoimmune diseases, in which the body accepts its own cells as foreign.
- When a bacterial, viral or fungal infection is detected.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
Infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract or throat can be the cause of swollen lymph nodes in the neck in children. Changes can occur with a cold, SARS, but sometimes it is a sign of measles, rubella, influenza. Therefore, when symptoms of the disease appear and the lymph nodes enlarge, a pediatrician's consultation is required.
With an increase in nodules on the neck when probingyou can find a pea with a diameter of more than a centimeter. This causes pain when pressed. With severe inflammation, the diameter of the peas reaches the size of a chicken egg.
Usually lymph nodes do not enlarge without additional symptoms:
- increased body temperature;
- weakness;
- headaches;
- joint pain;
- drowsy;
- digestive disorders.
But if there are no signs of the disease, then you should still consult a doctor to find out the cause of the enlarged lymph node in the child.
Main diseases in which there is a change in the lymph nodes:
- tonsillitis;
- pharyngitis;
- periodontitis;
- gingivitis;
- candidiasis;
- tuberculosis;
- rubella;
- viral infections;
- allergic reactions;
- purulent wounds on the head.
With an increase in nodes on the neck, in some cases there is pain when swallowing, discomfort when turning the head, swelling of the neck. When large nodules appear on the neck, it is necessary to show the child to the pediatrician in order to find out the cause of the enlargement of the lymph nodes in children. Self-treatment is unacceptable, as it can blur the symptoms, and it will be more difficult for doctors to diagnose..
Changes in the inguinal lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes in the groin of a child indicates an inflammatory process. The reasons for changing the lymph in the groin are the following diseases:
- perineal or leg abscess;
- tumors;
- fungal diseases;
- presence of parasites in the body;
- suppuration, trophic ulcers;
- abrasions, deep wounds;
- sexually transmitted diseases or in utero.
With a decrease in immunity, the lymph nodes increase even with colds, SARS. A slight change in size is not inconvenient, but the nodules can reach several centimeters in size, and the child will encounter the following inconveniences:
- heaviness in the groin;
- pain when walking;
- skin redness;
- local increase in body temperature.
When a purulent process appears, the following symptoms may be added:
- increase in overall body temperature;
- the appearance of fistulas in the skin, from which purulent contents come out;
- headache;
- signs of intoxication;
- severe pain when pressed;
- immobility of the lymph node.
With such signs of the child, it is urgent to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Abdominal lymph nodes
An increase in the abdominal lymph nodes in a child indicates that inflammation has begun in the abdominal cavity. Foreign substances, when they enter the body, cause the production of lymphocytes. For this reason, there is an increase in nodes. Sometimes inflammation begins in one or more lymph nodes.
Inflammation is not an independent disease. This is an indicator that not everything is safe in the body. Enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes in childrencannot be diagnosed without laboratory tests.
The reasons for the increase in nodules can be different:
- presence of parasites;
- tuberculosis;
- mycoplasmosis;
- Epstein-Barr virus;
- streptococci and staphylococci;
- enterovirus infection.
Symptoms may be absent for a long time. In an acute course, acute pains begin, the patient cannot always determine exactly where it hurts. When diagnosed, it can be confused with appendicitis if the pain is localized in the lower abdomen. There are symptoms that are characteristic of many diseases:
- temperature increase;
- abdominal discomfort;
- diarrhea;
- tachycardia;
- enlarged liver;
- nausea.
If the lymph node began to fester, then this can lead to serious consequences. In the chronic form, the symptoms are invisible or absent, so the child's parents do not immediately go to the doctor.
This pathology is typical for children aged 6 to 12 years, boys get sick more often than girls. With an increase in the lymph nodes in a child and the appearance of pain, it is necessary to show the baby to the pediatrician. If left untreated, there is a risk of peritonitis due to suppuration of the nodules.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes
Sometimes lymph nodes enlarge without other signs of disease and do not decrease further. In this case, the child will be diagnosed with an adenovirus or one of the herpes viruses, including cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, which isthe cause of a disease such as mononucleosis.
A frequent complaint of parents is an increase in the lymph nodes behind the ears in children. In children, immunity is developing, and therefore an increased number of lymphocytes may be a normal reaction. Most likely, with age, the nodules behind the ears will return to their original size without treatment. To control and exclude inflammation, it is enough to conduct a general blood test with the calculation of the leukocyte formula 2 times a year.
Treatment
When swollen lymph nodes in children, treatment is not always required. The main indicators of inflammation is an increased content of leukocytes and ESR in the blood. If the node has increased significantly and does not disappear within 5 days, then a pediatrician's consultation is required. Treatment is needed in the following cases:
- the child has several groups of lymph nodes enlarged;
- bulge became dense;
- Nodes don't decrease within 5 days;
- sharp pain on probing;
- skin redness;
- fever;
- rapid increase in nodules.
After the diagnosis and examination, the doctor prescribes medications aimed at relieving inflammation. Lymph nodes are often enlarged in children, but at home you should not independently determine the degree of danger. The child must be shown to the pediatrician. If pus is found, a lymph node biopsy may be performed.
Methods of treatment of inflamed lymph nodes are as follows:
- antivirals;
- chemotherapy for malignant neoplasms;
- antihistaminesfunds;
- surgical intervention when other methods are ineffective.
Prevention and reviews
It is impossible to avoid an increase in lymph nodes with a disease. But there are a number of actions that prevent lymphadenitis:
- compliance with hygiene rules;
- treating wounds and scratches, especially from animals;
- strengthening immunity;
- hardening;
- proper nutrition;
- taking vitamins;
- containing enough fruits and vegetables in the diet;
- passing preventive medical examinations;
- avoid hypothermia;
- timely visit the dentist to rule out oral diseases.
Reviews of patients after treatment of inflamed lymph nodes are mostly positive. After the course, the nodules decrease and return to their original size. In some cases, changes do not occur because the true cause has not been found.
