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.
Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
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Trusted medical advice from the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
American Academy of Family Physicians.
Neck Swelling
Step 1
Selecting A Symptom
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Long-term
- Abdominal Pain (Stomach Pain), Short-term
- Ankle Problems
- Breast Problems in Men
- Breast Problems in Women
- Chest Pain in Infants and Children
- Chest Pain, Acute
- Chest Pain, Chronic
- Cold and Flu
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Ear Problems
- Elimination Problems or Constipation
- Elimination Problems or Constipation in Infants and Children
- Eye Problems
- Facial Swelling
- Feeding Problems in Infants and Children
- Fever
- Fever in Infants and Children
- Foot Problems
- Genital Problems in Infants (Female)
- Genital Problems in Infants (Male)
- Genital Problems in Men
- Genital Problems in Women
- Hair Loss
- Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems
- Headaches
- Hearing Problems
- Hip Problems
- Knee Problems
- Leg Problems
- Lower Back Pain
- Menstrual Cycle Problems
- Mouth Problems
- Mouth Problems in Infants and Children
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- Neck Pain
- Neck Swelling
- Shortness of Breath
- Shortness of Breath in Infants and Children
- Shoulder Problems
- Skin Rashes & Other Skin Problems
- Throat Problems
- Tooth Problems
- Urination Problems
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Diagnosis
You may have a THYROGLOSSAL DUCT CYST or ABSCESS, a problem with your THYROID GLAND.
Self Care
See your doctor.
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.
Self Care
For more information, please talk to your doctor. If you think the problem is serious, call right your doctor right away.
