How to Check Your Lymph Nodes

Lymph nodes are small, round structures located within the lymphatic system. They play a vital role in the body's immune response, often swelling in reaction to infections or other factors. Some lymph nodes may remain swollen for several weeks after an infection has cleared. Self-checking your lymph nodes can help identify health issues early. If swollen lymph nodes persist for more than a week, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Immediate medical attention is necessary if the swollen and painful nodes are accompanied by other symptoms.

Locate the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are primarily concentrated in the neck, clavicle, armpits, and groin. Once you are familiar with the typical locations of these nodes, you can assess them for pain and swelling.

• Additionally, there are other lymph node groups in areas such as the inner elbow and behind the knees, but these are less commonly used for swelling checks.

Check areas without lymph nodes for comparison. Press three fingers against your arm. Feel around under the skin, paying attention to the sensation of the tissues below. This will help you understand how normal, non-swollen areas of your body should feel like.

• Non-swollen lymph nodes are slightly firmer than the surrounding tissue. They become easier to feel only when they are swollen or irritated.

Check the lymph nodes in the neck and clavicle area. Use three fingers from both hands to gently rotate behind your ears, then move down both sides of your neck and under your jawline. If you feel a lump accompanied by pain, it may be swollen lymph nodes.

• Don't worry if you can't feel lymph nodes in your neck. This is entirely normal.
• Press gently and slowly move your fingers to palpate the firm tissue under the skin. Healthy lymph nodes typically feel resilient and flexible, not as hard as bone.
• If you can't feel the lymph nodes in your neck, try tilting your head towards the side where you're having difficulty. This position will help loosen the muscles and allow you to feel the lymph nodes more easily.

Palpate the lymph nodes in the armpit. Place three fingers into the middle of your armpit. Gradually slide them down a few centimeters towards the upper edge of your breast. Lymph nodes in this area are located beneath the armpit, near the rib cage.

• Use your fingers to gently feel around this area. Move your fingers forward, backward along the torso, and up and down a few centimeters.

Feel for the lymph nodes in the groin area. Move your first three fingers to the crease where the thigh meets the pelvis. Press your fingers gently into the crease, feeling for muscles, bones, and fatty tissue underneath. If you detect a noticeable lump in this area, it could be a swollen lymph node.

• Lymph nodes in this area are often located just beneath a large ligament, making them harder to feel unless swollen.
• Be sure to check both sides of the groin. This will help you compare and determine if there is swelling in one lymph node.

Identify swollen lymph nodes. Do you notice a difference in sensation when pressing on the upper arm? You'll feel bones and muscles beneath the skin, but swollen lymph nodes will feel different and are often out of place. If you find a lump that is tender, it could be a swollen lymph node.

Monitor swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes, lymph node swelling occurs as a response to allergens or a short-term infection caused by bacteria or viruses. In such cases, the lymph nodes typically return to normal within a few days. However, if the swelling, hardness, or pain persists for more than a week, you should consult a doctor for further evaluation.

• Even without other signs of illness, it's important to seek medical advice if swollen lymph nodes don't improve over time.
• If you have firm, painless lymph nodes that remain larger than 2.5 cm, it's best to visit a doctor as soon as possible.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience certain symptoms. Swollen lymph nodes can indicate that the immune system is fighting a serious illness. If your lymph nodes are swollen along with any of the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Night sweats
• Persistent fever
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing

Inform your doctor of any additional symptoms that arise. While not all symptoms point to serious illness, telling your doctor about all your symptoms can help with diagnosis. Some common symptoms often present alongside swollen lymph nodes include:

• Runny nose
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Multiple lymph nodes swollen simultaneously in various areas of the body

Assess whether swollen lymph nodes are due to an infection. When you visit the doctor, they will palpate the swollen lymph nodes to confirm the swelling. They will then need to determine which viral or bacterial infections might be causing the swelling by taking blood samples or swabbing a body part (such as your throat) for testing.

• You will likely be tested for common conditions that cause swollen lymph nodes, such as viral infections like sore throat.

Diagnosis of autoimmune diseases. Doctors typically evaluate the overall state of the immune system. They may order various tests, including a general blood analysis to assess immune system activity. Based on this, the doctor can determine whether you might have an autoimmune disease that could be causing swollen lymph nodes, such as lupus or arthritis.

• Diagnostic tests help doctors assess immune system function, such as whether you have anemia or abnormalities in the lymph nodes.

Cancer screening tests. In rare cases, swollen lymph nodes may be a symptom of cancer, either in the lymph nodes themselves or in other parts of the body. Initial tests for diagnosing cancer may include blood tests, X-rays, mammograms, ultrasounds, and CT scans. If cancer is suspected, a doctor may suggest performing a lymph node biopsy to detect cancer cells.

• Lymph node biopsies are usually outpatient procedures, but the doctor may need to make an incision or insert a needle deep into the body to collect lymph node cell samples.
• The tests ordered will depend on which lymph nodes are being examined and the factors the doctor suspects are causing the issue.

• Swollen lymph nodes are a common condition that usually resolves on its own within a few days.

• Lymph nodes can become irritated if touched too much, so avoid pressing too hard or frequently touching them. Otherwise, your actions might actually cause the lymph nodes to swell.