Swollen lymph nodes in children are quite common. This shows that his immune system is working. However, mothers should not be careless because swollen lymph nodes in children can sometimes also be caused by disease.
Lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system which functions to fight germs and cancer cells that cause disease.
Everyone, both children and adults, has at least 600 lymph nodes scattered throughout the body. Some of them are on the chin, armpits, chest, groin, abdominal cavity, jaw, and neck.
Swollen lymph nodes that occur in children are usually mild and usually go away on their own. However, certain diseases or medical conditions can also cause a child to develop swollen lymph nodes.
Therefore, when your little one shows symptoms of swollen lymph nodes, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Symptoms of Swollen Lymph Nodes in Children
Swollen lymph nodes in children sometimes go undetected because they do not cause symptoms or the swelling is mild, so it is not very visible.
However, if left for a long time, these swollen lymph nodes can cause several complaints, such as pain or an increase in the size of the swollen lymph nodes.
If it appears in the neck, the swelling can make it difficult for a child to speak, have difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath, while swollen lymph nodes around the groin can trigger pain when walking or bending over.
In addition, you need to be alert if the swollen lymph nodes experienced by your child appear along with the following symptoms:
- Appears suddenly and quickly enlarges
- Hard texture and does not move when pressed
- Fever that doesn't go away
- Child's weight is reduced
- Swollen lymph nodes are painful
- The surrounding skin area turns reddish or purple in color
- Pus or blood appears in the swollen lymph nodes
Know the Causes of Swollen Lymph Nodes in Children
Swollen lymph nodes in children can be caused by a number of factors, namely:
1. Infection
Swollen lymph nodes in children are generally caused by infections in certain body parts, such as ear infections, sinus cavities or sinusitis, teeth, skin, or throat.
These infections can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. However, sometimes, swollen lymph nodes can be caused by a more severe infection, such as childhood TB.
2. Immune system disorders
The presence of disorders of the immune system is another factor that can cause children to experience swollen lymph nodes. Children who have autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, are more at risk for developing swollen lymph nodes.
3. Cancer
In addition to the three factors above, lymph nodes can also swell if the child has a tumor or cancer, such as lymphoma, leukemia, advanced cancer that has spread to certain organs (metastatic).
4. Drug side effects
The side effects of certain drugs can also make the child experience swollen lymph nodes. Examples of drugs that can cause side effects in the form of swelling of the lymph nodes in children include anti-seizure drugs, antibiotics, and antimalarials.
Because it can be caused by many things, swollen lymph nodes in children need to be checked by a doctor. To determine the cause, the doctor will perform a physical examination and support, such as blood tests, ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans, to biopsies.
After the cause is known, the new doctor can provide the right treatment to treat swollen lymph nodes in children.
Steps for Handling Swollen Lymph Nodes in Children
Swollen lymph nodes can sometimes go away on their own without treatment. However, you should still need to check your little one to the doctor to confirm his condition and determine the cause.
Treatment for swollen lymph nodes in children must be adjusted to the cause. Different causes of swollen lymph nodes, different treatment will be given to children.
For example, if your child's swollen lymph nodes are caused by an infection, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication or antibiotics to treat it. Meanwhile, if the swelling is caused by a more serious condition, such as cancer, it is necessary to consider removing the tumor and chemotherapy.
Swollen lymph nodes in children are often not caused by dangerous things. However, to be sure, you still need to check your little one to the pediatrician, especially if the swollen lymph nodes don't get better or get bigger.
