What does enlarged lymph node under the arm

Many of us periodically feel in the armpit formation of a small seal. If it does not hurt, does not emit fluids, we simply ignore it. And after a week or two, the swelling disappears, and we forget about it. But all the same, what is it and is it worth worrying about it?

Under the skin of the axillary cavity is located fatty tissue, which connects with the fiber of the neck. Directly in adipose tissue is a set of axillary lymph nodes. What role does the lymph node perform under the mouse? Its purpose is to filter the lymph flowing to the arm from the chest. Being an effector of the immune system, it helps protect our body from the invasion of foreign organisms. Lymph nodes clean lymph from foreign bodies in it. With a large load, they increase in size. However , the lymph node can not grow infinitely under the mouse and, without coping with the load, passes the infection further.

The most common cause of inflammation of the lymph nodes or lymphadenitis is too much bacteria or viruses that attack the body. Once in the lymph, they are destroyed, reaching its nodes, but with a large flow of a part of the microorganisms settles directly into them. In this case, pressing on the lymph node under the arm, you will feel pain.

The increase in lymph nodes can be triggered by a number of diseases. But in some diseases such formations are characteristic. For example, diseases caused by bacteria of the genus Yersinia are extremely dangerous infections that can lead to death. The most famous to us their representative was a plague, which claimed a huge number of lives in the Middle Ages. In half of cases, it proceeded in a bubonic form, tumors in the lymph nodes reached the size of a chicken egg. This type of disease today is almost not found, but there are other varieties of these bacteria, also no less dangerous to health.

Among other reasons that can cause inflammation of the lymph nodes by the armpits are the penetration of malignant cells into them. For axillary lymph nodes, neoplasms from the mammary glands are characterized. The risk group includes women after 40 years of age, so it is important as a preventive measure to examine yourself daily and feel the area of the breast for seals. Only so you can not miss the initial stage of the disease. After consulting a doctor, if it turns out that the formation of a malignant, axillary lymph nodes will be removed as a mandatory obstacle, as the first obstacle on the path of metastases.

Enlarged lymph nodes can be a complication after suffering from infectious diseases (usually in children). If, under pressure, the lymph node under the arm hurts, and along with it other symptoms also appear: headache, high fever, or gradual increase from day to day - you have an occasion to visit the doctor. Determine the cause of the disease and appoint treatment in this case should the doctor.

Do not try to treat lymph nodes yourself, because its methods directly depend on the causes that cause inflammation. Only a doctor will be able to identify the main focus of inflammation and eliminate it, and then conduct treatment for lymphadenitis.

In acute lesion of lymph nodes, conservative methods are prescribed: rest of sick organs, UHF procedures, application of dry heat to affected areas. If the purulent process has begun, then the heating is not shown, and the treatment begins with the intake of antibiotics, which the doctor will choose, taking into account the characteristics of the disease.

One of the methods of treatment is to cut the inflamed knots with an antibacterial agent, after which a bandage with a tybonic or streptomycin ointment is applied. If, in spite of the treatment, the affected node continues to increase in size, surgical intervention is used: the skin over the lymph node is cut, the pus follows, its subsequent withdrawal becomes possible after the drainage system is applied. With chronic lymphadenitis, immunostimulating drugs are prescribed.