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What causes a lump under the Jawline?

While lumps and bumps around your jawline may cause you to panic, the good news is they are often harmless. To learn the difference between a simple swelling and cause for concern, check out everything you need to know about swollen lymph nodes under the jaw.

Your body has many complex systems that work together to keep you healthy and your body working properly. One of these is your lymphatic system. 

You may notice that when you visit your local doctor with cold or flu symptoms, they will often run their hands along your neck, throat, and jaw. This is because the doctor is checking for an important symptom of infection: swollen lymph nodes. 

Lymph nodes are an important part of a larger system that keeps your body healthy. A swollen lymph node is often a sign of an infection, injury, or illness. A swollen lymph node can indicate something as mild as a cold or as serious as metastasized cancer.

Swollen lump under the jaw

One major reason for a lump under the jaw or chin can be due to lymph nodes swell and can be felt under your skin’s surface. In their normal state, nodes are not able to be felt. When lymph nodes detect a problem with the lymph fluid, they react and swell. These problems can include infection, illness, cancer, or as a response to injury.

When swollen, lymph nodes can swell from the size of a pea to the size of a cherry. Lymph nodes can also swell under the jaw. In most instances, nodes swell due to an infection, injury, or illness. Often, a swollen node indicates an infection in the area. A swollen node under the jaw can indicate an upper respiratory infection, cold, or flu.

Swollen lymph nodes under the jaw may feel tender to the touch and can even cause difficulty swallowing or moving your head in certain directions. Generally, lymph nodes over 1 cm in diameter are considered ‘abnormal.’

Swollen lymph nodes are not always a sign of a problem with your physical health. They are also known to swell due to stress.

Reasons for swollen lump under the jaw

Cold

Ear infection

Sinus infection

ear infection

Infected tooth

Skin infection

Strep throat

Tonsillitis

Flu

Mononucleosis

Lupus

Rheumatoid arthritis

HIV infection

Anti-seizure and antimalarial drugs

Medication or allergic reactions to medication

Cat scratch fever

Gingivitis

Mouth sores

measles

Toxoplasmosis

Tuberculosis

Sézary syndrome

Shingles

Cancer such as lymphoma (where the cancer begins in the lymphatic system) or the nodes will swell if cancer originating in other areas moves to the lymphatic system.

When more than one area of lymph nodes becomes swollen, it is called generalized lymphadenopathy. 

Generalized lymphadenopathy can be caused by

 

Strep throat

Chicken Pox

Certain medications

Immune system diseases 

Cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma

Infected lymph nodes

While lymph nodes often swell due to an infection in their general area, it is also possible for the lymph node to become infected. Infected lymph nodes will swell and also produce additional symptoms.

Read more: Swollen lymph nodes behind the ear

Symptoms of infected lymph nodes under the jaw

Lymph nodes are swollen 

The infected area is tender

Nodes may be soft or matted together

Red skin in the infected area

Nodes may become filled with pus 

Fluid may drain from the nodes onto the skin

Cancerous lump

While not as common, swollen lymph nodes can result from a cancerous tumor. This can happen when cancer develops in another area of the body and spreads to the lymph nodes or when cancer originates in the lymph nodes. When cancer first forms in the lymph nodes, it is called Lymphoma. It is more common for cancer to first develop in another area of the body and then spread to the lymph nodes. 

This happens when cancer cells break down from a tumor and then travel through the lymphatic vessels via the lymphatic fluid. If they are not broken down in the nodes, they may begin to form a new tumor. 

 

When cancer travels through the lymphatic system, it affects the lymph nodes. In most cases, when cancer cells break away from the tumor, they can be broken down by the body. When cancer spreads to a new part of the body, it is called metastasis.

Diagnosis of the swollen lump under the jaw

In most cases, your doctor will diagnose what is causing your swollen lymph nodes based on the other symptoms you are experiencing. For example, swollen lymph nodes under the jaw, difficulty swallowing, and inflammation in the throat may point to strep throat. 

It is when the lymph nodes are swollen without any other symptoms that the diagnosis is much more difficult.

Your doctor will likely ask you about your medical history in addition to a physical exam in order to make a diagnosis. You may also need to disclose any recent travel or animal encounters that could have led to your condition. 

In some cases, your doctor may order a blood test to look for abnormalities. They may also do an imaging test such as an MRI, CT scan, x-ray, or ultrasound. 

 

Although rare, a biopsy for your lump may be required. This test only requires a small number of cells to be removed from the lymph node with a needle. This test can look for cancer. 

Treatment of Swollen Lymph Nodes Under the Jaw

In order to treat a swollen lymph node, you need to treat the cause. Most swollen lymph nodes will resolve themselves once the initial reason for the swelling is treated. 

In the case of a viral infection, the nodes will swell once the body has naturally fought the infection off. Your doctor may advise that you take over-the-counter pain medication to combat the inflammation. 

For a bacterial or fungal infection, the body will need antibiotics for the infection to resolve. 

In some cases, an injury causes the lymph node to swell. Scar tissue or other injuries can cause the node to drain improperly and swell. This may require further surgery to repair. 

 

Swollen lymph nodes caused by cancer will not shrink until the cancer has been completely treated. In some cases, your doctor may advise the lymph node to be removed. Your doctor will determine the best treatment options for you. 

(04/19/2024)
by Your Doctors

More Information: https://yourdoctors.online/swollen-lymph-nodes-under-the-jaw/

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