The occipital lymph nodes are enlarged. How to understand that a child’s lymph nodes in the back of the head are enlarged and inflamed

A child's immune system is still developing. Failures in the body’s defenses often occur, including the functioning of the lymph nodes. Problems with these important protective elements indicate the presence of certain ailments, and it is important to know what signals the inflamed “nodules” send us.

Lymph nodes: what they are and what their role is

The lymph nodes, which are part of the overall immune system, play a huge role in the body’s system of resisting infections. If the lymph nodes on the child’s neck or in other places become noticeably larger and hurt, it means that the body is fighting harmful microorganisms.

Nature has placed about 500 of these “nodules” throughout the human body to make them “traps” for pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Conventionally, they are divided into three groups: axillary, inguinal, cervical. When the lymph nodes behind the ear in a child or other groups are normal, they resemble a small pea, mobile, not delivering discomfort. And changes in their structure should be a reason to consult a doctor, since, most likely, this is a signal of the presence of any diseases.

Causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck and other places

Sometimes microbes enter the blood and lymph nodes through scratches, cuts, or when earlobes are pierced for earrings. But much more often the cause is infectious or viral.

Most often, problems arise at the junction of the neck and head, where there is a “barrier” for the penetration of microorganisms into very important organs: auditory and visual systems, oral cavity etc. And inflammatory process in the glands (lymphadenitis), strictly speaking, is not an independent disease, but serves as an indication of the presence of other diseases in the body.

Why is there an increase in nodes? Because they have to produce new cells, the purpose of which is to fight infection. IN in some cases, when the load on them is too great, the lymph nodes in the child’s neck can even fester.

Other causes of these phenomena may be tumor manifestations or (in in rare cases) metabolic disease.

Symptoms of lymphadenitis in children

Often the inflammatory process in the lymph nodes begins with a rise in temperature and signs of intoxication. The child becomes lethargic, weak, and begins to have headaches. The lymph nodes in the child’s neck and in other groups swell, they can be easily felt, but pain is felt. The surrounding tissues swell and turn red.

These manifestations are especially striking when inflammation develops into suppuration, and in no case should you self-medicate. The purulent form of the disease can be determined by carefully palpating the site of inflammation: the finger will slightly fall into the tissue. The temperature in such cases may approach critical, and here it is necessary to help the child by giving him medicine to relieve the fever.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the back of the head

On a child’s head, the lymph nodes can become inflamed from such “natural” reasons as a bad tooth, a boil, or a wound from a cut or bruise. But these can also be symptoms of diseases such as measles or rubella, toxoplasmosis or mononucleosis. These are the most common diagnoses for inflammation of the lymph nodes on the back of a child’s head and in neighboring areas of the head. When the disease is particularly acute, the baby’s face becomes puffy and obviously sore.

Why do “balls” form behind the ears?

Inflammatory processes in cervical region often indicate diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Although diseases of the oral cavity, in particular teeth, express themselves in the same way.

Inflamed lymph nodes behind the ear are a typical sign of a sore throat or laryngitis, but sometimes the cause of dysfunction can be mumps or an allergy to food products or medications.

It happens that these symptoms are aggravated by such phenomena as itching and flaking skin scalp, hair loss. Then with high probability a fungal infection may be suspected.

The most dangerous nature of the disease: malignant damage to the lymph nodes - lymphoma, but, fortunately, this is a very rare diagnosis.

Inflammation of the lymph node under the armpit

Antibodies to a number of diseases are also produced by axillary lymph nodes. As a rule, their inflammation means trouble in one of the organs located in the immediate vicinity.

One of the sources of deviations in the functioning of the lymph nodes under the armpit of a child is colds. Other reasons: infectious diseases or poisoning (both food and chemical).

We must not forget that children's love for pets also sometimes leads to similar problems. Doctors even identified this special kind: “benign lymphoreticulosis,” popularly called cat scratch disease. These claws really become dangerous because they carry bacteria quite deep under the skin, causing inflammation.

Diagnostics

Lymph nodes can also become inflamed in the intestines, groin area and other areas. You cannot try to diagnose and treat yourself; this is the prerogative of doctors. They palpate the area of ​​inflammation, study the symptoms, and most often prescribe a blood test and targeted biopsy to exclude the most dangerous diagnoses and accurately determine the nature of the problem. Sometimes required ultrasound diagnostics and x-ray examination.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes in the back of the head, as in any other part of the body, is called lymphadenitis. Regardless of the cause, the disease is accompanied pain symptoms associated with inflammatory processes in the occipital nodes.

Lymphadenitis is not an independent disease in most cases. Almost always this is the result of pathological processes in the body.

The number of lymph nodes in the neck and head area is quite large, since they protect the brain from infections. Occipital lymph nodes in in good condition They do not make themselves felt in any way: they cannot be palpated and do not cause pain. If the nodes in this area become inflamed, the person begins to feel discomfort and even pain.

Causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the back of the head

The trigger for the disease is always infections of various origins that spread in the body. Enlargement of nodes occurs in response to inflammatory processes in the head and neck area.

IN medical practice lymphadenitis is divided into two groups: specific and nonspecific.

• Nonspecific inflammation of the lymph nodes at the back of the head has general characteristics: This is the body's response to a one-time (for example, flu) or regularly recurring attack of bacteria (for example, chronic inflammation internal organs).
• Specific lymphadenitis is represented by more serious systemic diseases, each of which has special manifestations. These are acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, mononucleosis, tuberculosis. If the occipital lymph nodes are inflamed long time, this indicates the development of a tumor or oncological processes.

Let's consider the causes of inflammation cervical lymph nodes in more detail:

1. Bacterial infections are caused by streptococci, staphylococci, etc. entering the body. Bacteria begin to multiply in the affected organs, causing activation of the immune system. If such bacterial foci are located on the face, head and neck, then the lymph nodes on the back of the head, near the ears, and under the jaw become inflamed. Bacteria often enter through skin lesions: scratches, shaving cuts, etc. Examples of such diseases are:

• otitis, laryngitis, sinusitis;
• angina;
• stomatitis, caries,
• carbuncles, boils.

2. Viruses. Once entering the body, viruses cause an immune response in the form of painful nodes lymphatic system. This almost always occurs with reduced immunity. The reasons that can cause pain in the lymph nodes are the following: flu, colds, chickenpox, measles, mononucleosis, pink, scaly lichen.

3. Mycoses. Diseases caused by fungi, even if they are located on the surface of the scalp or body, sometimes provoke lymphadenitis. These include the following types of lichen: ringworm, multicolored, white.

4. Systemic diseases: plague, syphilis, tuberculosis, bucellosis.

5. Tumor processes and the development of oncology.

The development of lymphadenitis can be triggered by almost all diseases of an infectious or systemic nature. In some cases, decreased immunity and vitamin deficiency during the off-season also cause enlargement and pain in the lymph nodes.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease manifest themselves differently depending on the cause and characteristics of the human body. But there are a number of basic signs by which the presence of inflammation of the lymph nodes can be determined.

When diagnosing inflammation of the lymph nodes in the back of the head, the following symptoms are distinguished:

• Increase. When inflamed, the lymph nodes become enlarged and can sometimes appear on the skin as bulges. In addition, they can be easily felt with your hands.
• Pain. Soreness of the lymph node manifests itself when palpating and turning the head. If the pain is throbbing, this may indicate suppuration.
• Temperature increase.
• Apathy, fatigue, deterioration of general condition.

When the clinical picture is accompanied by fever and chills, it is necessary to urgently seek medical help. If the manifestations of the disease occurred after the flu or a cold, then it is most likely that the processes of enlargement of the lymph nodes on the back of the head will stop after full recovery from the underlying disease.

Treatment

For effective treatment, it is necessary to find out the source of infection, which causes inflammatory processes in the body. Without correct diagnosis medicinal products will not give the desired effect, since they will not affect the source of infection.

If lymphadenitis is caused bacterial infection, antibiotics are prescribed. Depending on the general clinical picture The following medications can be used: amoxiclav, clindamycin, ceftriaxone, benzylpennicillin.

Sometimes medications that stimulate the immune system are prescribed. Immunomodulators are necessary to restore the body's defenses: groprinosin, cymevene, laferobion, amixin.

Antiviral drugs help to cope faster with viral infections: acyclovir, rimandatin, lyophilisate, ridostin.

If the cause of an enlarged node is infection with a fungus, then, first of all, prescribe antifungal drugs: terbinafine, voriconazole, fluconazole.

Additionally, antiallergic drugs may be prescribed. These medications may be relevant for both fungal and bacterial infections: levocetrizine, mebhydrolin.

Treatment specific lymphadenitis depends on the main diagnosis and may differ in each specific case. If treatment does not give the required result within six months, the occipital lymph nodes do not shrink, but painful sensations are present, it makes sense to reconsider the diagnosis and undergo additional examination.

Lymphadenitis in children

Lymphadenitis on the back of the head is observed more often in children than in adults. Not yet strong the immune system very sensitive to the appearance of bacteria and viruses. During infectious disease and even after recovery, you can notice an increase in lymph nodes on the back of the head in children. The likelihood of infection increases with scratches and other damage to the skin, through which children's body infection may occur.

A child should be examined by a doctor when:

• occipital lymph nodes are enlarged for a long time;
• the nodes are painful not only when pressed, but also when turning the head;
• the skin at the back of the head turns red and feels swollen;
• the child has a high temperature;
• the child is regularly observed low-grade fever (37*).

Making a diagnosis on your own is very difficult, and in the case of a child, dangerous. There are many diseases in which different shapes inflammatory processes of the occipital lymph nodes, so it is important to examine the child in a timely manner to prevent complications.

Complications

Lymphadenitis in advanced stages may manifest itself as suppuration of the nodes of the lymphatic system. There are several negative aspects to this situation. Firstly, when suppuration occurs, the lymphatic system loses its ability to destroy harmful microorganisms in the affected areas of the body. Secondly, suppuration can spread if the lymph node bursts.

The spread of pus has different consequences, but they are all very serious, especially when its focus is in the back of the head. If pus gets into the brain, it will have irreversible consequences.

A serious complication is lymphangitis. This is an inflammation of the lymphatic system of a bacterial nature, when all parts of the lymphatic system are affected. In this case, the lymph nodes enlarge in the neck and throughout the body, and also become inflamed lymphatic vessels and capillaries. Redness and soreness occur along the lymph flow on the skin of the arms and legs, on the neck and in areas where lymph nodes accumulate.

Inflammation of the occipital lymph nodes always indicates other diseases, sometimes quite serious. Timely treatment will quickly get rid of such problems. Prevention is healthy way life and strengthening the immune system.

There is little pleasantness in a child’s illness, or rather, there is nothing pleasant about it at all. But along with the usual chickenpox or colds, which do not pose a great danger to the baby, there are diseases that require special attention parents, because they often lead to severe consequences for the child's health.

One of these diseases is inflammation of the lymph nodes, which is also called lymphadenitis. This symptom occurs when the human body is under the pathogenic influence of any infection, because the lymph nodes are the body's protective barriers. In other words, a disease such as lymphadenitis does not appear on its own; for the most part it serves as a signal of the underlying disease. For example, the lymph nodes in the neck can become inflamed due to sore throat or laryngitis. Often, children's cervical lymph nodes swell when they get mumps.

Lymph nodes enlarge as follows. At the moment when bacteria enter through the lymphatic channels to the lymph nodes, the latter, when they receive information from immune cells, begin to produce cells that will suppress the infection. While this process is underway, the size of the cervical lymph nodes increases significantly.

• Sometimes, especially difficult situations, the lymph nodes are unable to cope with the load, and as a result, inflammation occurs. In some cases, an abscess may develop, and then not only enlargement of the lymph nodes occurs, but also redness and swelling of the skin.
• Sometimes inflammation can be only a secondary disease, but there are cases when it is primary. Then the infection penetrates directly to the lymph nodes, without affecting the internal organs. Such situations arise if there has been a violation of the integrity of the skin, namely: scratches, abrasions, wounds, etc. Often, lymph nodes in children can become inflamed due to scratches from cat claws.

Usually in such situations, the disease begins with the general condition of the body deteriorating sharply, pain appears in the area of ​​the affected lymph nodes, the temperature rises, and symptoms of general intoxication may even be noted. If these signs are detected, parents should immediately seek help from specialists; doing anything on their own is strictly prohibited. The only safe measure that can be taken before the ambulance arrives is to give the child an antipyretic. However, this can only be done if the body temperature rises above 39 degrees.

Causes

Most often, the causative agent of the inflammatory process in the lymph nodes is infection, but sometimes it happens that everything becomes to blame malignancy. In the case when the body experiences malignancy, the lymph nodes begin to behave like “biological filters”, preventing cancer cells quickly spread throughout the body. This explains the fact that during the removal of tumors and metastases, all nearby lymph nodes are necessarily removed. This measure can significantly reduce the risk of relapse, namely - re-education cancerous tumors. In the case of leukemia, the same thing is done: the nodes are also irradiated so that the child’s treatment is as effective as possible.

However, in the greatest number In most cases, the cause of enlargement of the cervical lymph nodes in a child, like any other nodes, will simply be inflammation. However, the inflammatory process must also be dealt with only under the constant supervision of a doctor. If something goes wrong in the treatment, the doctor will be able to notice the deviation immediately and immediately take all necessary measures.

Anatomy

Before we dwell in more detail on which groups of lymph nodes become inflamed during certain diseases, the reader should learn about the morphology of the lymphatic system of the human body.

• The final completion of the formation of the lymphatic system occurs only after the child is born. In newborn children, the capsule with lymph nodes is still too thin, and the tubercles themselves are not yet sufficiently developed. The nodes themselves are quite small, they are practically not felt during palpation, since their consistency is very soft.
• Around the sixth month of the baby’s life, the lymph nodes increase in size and there are more of them. It is possible to palpate the lymph nodes well only at the end of the first year of a person’s life. Palpation takes into account the fact that in the first years of a child’s life, the formation of lymph nodes is not completed: the valves do not form completely, and constrictions remain in their place. Thus, upon palpation, a clear, pronounced, specific structure is felt in the lymph nodes.
• At approximately three years of age, the shape of the connecting capsule of the lymph node becomes clearer, and reticular cells appear in the capsule. By the age of eight, tubercles and additional lymphatic vessels begin to form in the lymph nodes. Until the onset of puberty, the number of lymph nodes continues to increase, and subsequently the reverse process occurs. The largest number of nodes in the lymphatic system is achieved by the age of ten.

The appearance of inflammation

• Carrying out your protective function and the lymph nodes begin to respond to the invasion of infectious agents from the age of 3 months.
• At one and a half years, the process of performing this function stops for a while, which is due to the generalization of the infection.
• Lymphadenitis appears in children most often at the age of five to seven years, because it is at this age that the lymph nodes begin to function as a powerful barrier to a variety of infections. This explains the fact that about 70% of all diseases with purulent lymphadenitis occur at the age of 5-7 years.
• Only by the age of eight or nine years does the body begin to suppress the infection in the lymph node, and purulent inflammatory processes occur less and less often.

Enlarged lymph nodes in various diseases

As noted earlier, enlargement of lymph nodes occurs when various infectious diseases and diseases of internal organs. For example, the occipital lymph nodes in children may become enlarged in the following cases:

• Toxoplasmosis,
• Infectious mononucleosis,
• Measles-like rash,
• Rubella.

The above diseases are just some of the most common. With toxoplasmosis, not only the occipital lymph nodes increase in size, but often the inguinal ones as well. Lymph nodes may swell to the size of hazelnuts. Despite their condition, however, they are usually soft on palpation, pain does not occur, there is no suppuration, and the normal shape quickly returns.

In the process infectious mononucleosis There is an increase in almost every group of lymph nodes, but the lymph nodes at the back of the child’s head are most inflamed. Moreover this symptom can be noticed even without palpation: the child has lymphostasis and severe swelling of the face, pain is pronounced.

Almost the same thing happens when a child suffers from rubella. Lymph nodes greatly increase in size and hurt on palpation. In the case of rubella, suppuration of the lymph nodes practically does not occur, but lymphadenitis can be a consequence of this disease.

In the groin

Lymph nodes in the groin in children become inflamed when damage to the integrity of the skin of the legs appears. Often, inflammation does not occur immediately after damage to the skin, but after 2-3 weeks. The infection reaches the lymph node, then it remains dormant for some time. And only after a certain period of time does the lymph node begin to swell.

In some cases, the body is able to cope with the infection itself, and the tumor subsides on its own. In other cases inguinal lymph nodes children begin to fester, then it is necessary surgical intervention. It is important to be able to pay attention to any damage to the child’s skin and treat them immediately the right way. When proper care behind wounds and scratches, a situation will not arise when a small wound becomes a big headache. Other causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes in the groin in children may be:

• Severe form of diaper dermatitis with multiple skin lesions;
• The appearance of boils in the buttocks;
• Inflammation of the lymph nodes can occur with BCG vaccination when the vaccine is injected into the thigh.

On the head

In addition, the lymph nodes on the child’s head enlarge due to the occurrence of diseases such as inflammation of the middle or external ear, furunculosis of the scalp, sometimes with allergic dermatitis. In these situations, children experience enlarged lymph nodes behind the ears. Also, enlargement of the lymph nodes on the child’s head is observed due to diphtheria of the tonsils or streptococcal tonsillitis. These cases are considered the most dangerous for children's health. In the chin area, inflammation of the lymph nodes occurs during an abscess, stomatitis or other dental diseases.

In the armpits

Lymph nodes in the armpits of children can become inflamed under the most various diseases, as well as with severe damage to the skin of the shoulders and arms. In the largest number of cases, the cause of inflammation lies in the so-called “cat scratch disease.” Medical name of this disease– “benign lymphoreticulosis.” The course of the disease goes like this: first the cat scratches the baby, then the lymph node closest to the scratch becomes inflamed, because it is like a gateway for infection. If a child is scratched by a cat, the wound should be immediately treated with brilliant green or iodine, and then carefully monitor the baby’s well-being for a while. Sometimes toxoplasmosis is also accompanied by inflammation of the lymph nodes in the armpits in children.

General inflammation

If you have diagnosed inflammation of the lymph nodes in children, begin treatment immediately and under the strictest supervision and control of a medical specialist. Usually in such cases, when lymphadenitis begins due to infection, antibiotics can do a very good job. Lymph nodes for a short time return to their normal state, the pain goes away, and blood test values ​​also normalize.

Often, compassionate parents, having listened to someone’s advice, try to warm up the inflamed lymph nodes in any way. Doing this is strictly prohibited, since such a measure can lead directly to suppuration and even infection. Warming up can be carried out only as prescribed by a doctor and only in a hospital or clinic where there are specialists and suitable equipment for this.

If lymph nodes become inflamed in children, then treatment should be directed not at the lymph node as such, but at the disease that was the source of this pathology. Unfortunately, the doctor cannot always make the correct diagnosis only from the words of the child himself or his parents. Even test results do not always show a complete picture of what is happening in the body. If this happens, the doctor may prescribe an ultrasound painful lymph node, as well as some other internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, abdominal lymph nodes. If after all the studies the diagnosis still cannot be made, the doctor may prescribe X-ray examination, study of the latent course of tuberculosis infection.

When a doctor suspects the presence of a CMV pathogen in a child’s blood, or herpes, or toxoplasmosis, he prescribes serological study blood in the laboratory. If even these measures have not led to the establishment of the exact causes of inflammation of the lymph node, then the only way will be a puncture followed by a biopsy of the lymph node.

Finally

Parents, of course, should never overlook such a symptom as the inflammatory process in the lymph nodes. Of course, there is no need to panic or be frightened, because often the cause of inflammation is so trivial that it can be easily eliminated. But there are cases when health care becomes simply necessary. Of course, parents will not be able to adequately assess their child’s condition, nor will they be able to immediately correctly identify the cause of the disease. It is best to leave diagnosis and treatment to medical specialists.

Stories from our readers