There is a lump in my neck that hurts when I press it. What's going on?

Why does it hurt when I press a lump on my neck? Most people are not very clear about this issue, so many people mistakenly think it is a precursor to lymphoma. In fact, if there is a lump in the neck that hurts when pressed, it may be caused by swollen lymph nodes. Just go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment in time.

1. The reason why there is a lump in the neck that hurts when pressed

If there is a lump in the neck that hurts when pressed, it may be caused by swollen lymph nodes. Go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible. If confirmed, antibiotics will be needed for a period of time. It is recommended to take oral azithromycin tablets or amoxicillin and other drugs under the guidance of a doctor. Avoid spicy food, eat a light diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, drink plenty of water, and if anti-inflammatory treatment is not effective, a pathological examination is required.

Diagnosis of swollen lymph nodes

1. Enlargement of lymph nodes in one area is called localized lymphadenopathy, which is often seen in nonspecific lymphadenitis, lymph node tuberculosis and metastasis of malignant tumors. The primary lesion should be found according to the lymphatic drainage area. If lymph nodes are swollen in more than two areas, it should be considered as systemic lymphadenopathy, which is more common in acute and chronic lymphadenitis, infectious mononucleosis, leukemia, lymphoma, leptospirosis, scrub typhus, brucellosis, serum sickness, connective tissue disease, etc.

2. Associated symptoms can provide important clues to the cause of swollen lymph nodes.

(1) Patients with swollen lymph nodes accompanied by infection foci in the corresponding drainage areas, such as swollen submandibular and submental lymph nodes accompanied by tonsillitis and gingivitis, swollen axillary lymph nodes accompanied by mastitis, swollen postauricular lymph nodes accompanied by scalp infection, and swollen left inguinal lymph nodes accompanied by erysipelas of the left lower limb, can be diagnosed with nonspecific lymphadenitis.

(2) Lymph node enlargement accompanied by pain is usually caused by acute inflammation, often with local redness, swelling, heat and other inflammatory manifestations; while painless lymph node enlargement is common in malignant tumor metastasis, lymphoma, etc. Local lymph node enlargement accompanied by low fever, night sweats, and weight loss may indicate lymph node tuberculosis, malignant lymphoma, or other malignant tumors.

(3) Lymph node enlargement accompanied by periodic fever is often seen in malignant lymphoma; systemic lymph node enlargement accompanied by fever is seen in infectious mononucleosis, leukemia, lymphoma, etc., and occasionally in systemic lupus erythematosus.

(4) Lymph node enlargement accompanied by rash is often seen in certain infectious diseases or allergic diseases, and one should also be alert to lymphoma.