Neck Swelling

Any swelling on the neck causes concern. Yet most swellings aren't serious. Follow this chart if you have any swelling or lumps on your neck.

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Step 2

Answering Questions

  • Do you have lumps or swelling on both sides of your neck?

  • Do you have a fever, sore throat, cold, or flu symptoms?

  • Are the lumps getting larger, or have they been on your neck for longer than two weeks?

  • Do you have swelling in the back of your neck on one or both sides?

  • Do you have a skin infection or rash on your scalp?

  • Do you have a rash on your face or a fever?

  • Do you have swelling behind and over your jaw on one or both sides?

  • Do you have swelling underneath the middle of your chin or directly in the front and middle of your neck?

  • Is there a soft swelling on the front of your neck above and between the collarbones?

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Step 3

Possible Causes

  • Diagnosis

    This may be one or more ENLARGED LYMPH NODES caused by an infection of STREP, MONONUCLEOSIS, or simple VIRAL SORE THROAT.

    Self Care

    If the sore throat is severe, or if you also have stomach pain, a red rash, fever, or white patches in the back of your throat, call your doctor right away. Treat less severe symptoms with over-the-counter cold and flu medicines. Do not give cough and cold medicines to children under five years old. These include decongestants, antihistamines and analgesics, such as acetaminophen. If the lumps don’t shrink within two weeks, or if one becomes very large and tender, see your doctor as soon as possible.

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  • Diagnosis

    The lumps may be INFECTED LYMPH NODES or possibly CANCEROUS LYMPH NODES, such as in HODGKIN’S DISEASE, a type of LYMPHOMA.

    Self Care

    See your doctor right away.

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  • Diagnosis

    These swellings are probably LYMPH NODES draining inflammation from the SKIN INFECTION.

    Self Care

    Treat the skin infection with a topical antibiotic ointment. If the lymph nodes do not shrink in two to three weeks, see your doctor.

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  • Diagnosis

    You may have a viral illness or, rarely, GERMAN MEASLES (RUBELLA).

    Self Care

    If you have a facial rash, see your doctor right away. Treat the fever with over-the-counter fever medicine, such as acetaminophen, until you can see your doctor. Stay away from pregnant women. German measles can harm unborn children and cause complications, such as pneumonia. You can prevent RUBELLA with a standard MEASLES, MUMPS, and RUBELLA (MMR) vaccine.

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  • Diagnosis

    This type of swelling may be from MUMPS, a disease caused by a virus that attacks the salivary glands.

    Self Care

    See your doctor right away. You can prevent MUMPS with a standard MMR vaccine.

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  • Diagnosis

    You may have a THYROGLOSSAL DUCT CYST or ABSCESS, a problem with your THYROID GLAND.

    Self Care

    See your doctor.

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  • Diagnosis

    You may have an ENLARGED THYROID, GOITER, or THYROIDITIS, also called HASHIMOTO’S DISEASE, an inflammation of the thyroid gland. This may also be a sign of THYROID CANCER or other THYROID DISEASES.

    Self Care

    See your doctor right away.

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  • Self Care

    For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call right your doctor right away.

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