Can an ear infection cause swollen lymph nodes in neck

Q: What type of ear infection causes swollen lymph nodes?

Otitis externa, or swimmers ear, is a condition that causes inflammation, irritation, or an infection of the ear canal. It can sometimes cause the lymph nodes around the ear to swell.

Swollen glands are a sign the body is fighting an infection. They usually get better by themselves within 2 weeks.

Table of Contents Show

Check if your glands are swollen
Things you can do yourself
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
Urgent advice: Get advice from 111 now if:
Causes of swollen glands
Purpose of lymph nodes
Symptoms and signs
Causes and concerns
Solutions and options
When to see a Doctor
What type of ear infection causes swollen lymph nodes?
Can an ear infection cause lump in neck?
How long do lymph nodes stay swollen after ear infection?
When should I worry about swollen lymph nodes in neck?

Check if your glands are swollen

Swollen glands feel like tender, painful lumps:

on each side of the neck
under the chin
in the armpits
around the groin

Glands (known as lymph glands or lymph nodes) swell near an infection to help your body fight it.

Sometimes a gland on just one side of the body swells.

You might also have other symptoms, such as a sore throat, cough or high temperature.

Things you can do yourself

Swollen glands should go down within 2 weeks.

You can help to ease the symptoms by:

resting
drinking plenty of fluids (to avoid dehydration)
taking painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen (do not give aspirin to children under 16)

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

your swollen glands are getting bigger or they have not gone down within 2 weeks
they feel hard or do not move when you press them
you're having night sweats or have a very high temperature (you feel hot and shivery) for more than 3 or 4 days
you have swollen glands and no other signs of illness or infection
you have swollen lymph glands just above or below your collar bone (the bone that runs from your breastbone to each of your shoulders)

Urgent advice: Get advice from 111 now if:

you have swollen glands and you're finding it very difficult to swallow

111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111.

Other ways to get help

Get an urgent GP appointment

A GP may be able to treat you.

Ask your GP surgery for an urgent appointment.

Causes of swollen glands

Do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried.

Swollen glands are:

often caused by common illnesses like colds, tonsillitis and ear or throat infections
sometimes caused by viral infections such as glandular fever
rarely caused by anything more serious, like cancer of the blood system (leukaemia) or lymph system (lymphoma)

A GP will be able to recommend treatment depending on the cause, which might include antibiotics (antibiotics do not work on viral infections).

Page last reviewed: 25 September 2020
Next review due: 25 September 2023

Do you have a sore throat, headache and fatigue? It is possible that you could have swollen lymph nodes, also called "swollen glands." Typically, if your glands are swollen, it is an indication that your body is fighting an infection or some other type of illness.

Purpose of lymph nodes

Helping your body battle infections and other diseases, lymph nodes are bean-shaped, small glands of tissue components of a large lymphatic system. When lymphatic fluid moves through your body, lymphocytes (immune cells) within the lymph glands trap viruses, bacteria and other possibly harmful substances and destroy them. This helps keep these pathogens from spreading any further.

Locations

No doubt, you are already aware of the lymph nodes found in your neck. However, you actually have hundreds of lymph nodes located throughout your entire body. Your tonsils are also classified as lymph tissue. Sometimes, they can become swollen and inflamed to fight illnesses like tonsillitis. This condition is most common in children, but adults can also contract it. Other areas of the body where you might feel swollen lymph nodes include:

Behind your ears
Under your jaw
The lower part of the back of your head
Your armpits
Your groin area

Symptoms and signs

Under normal circumstances, you should not be able to feel your glands. Normally, they are approximately one-half inch in diameter. However, when you or your child fights off an illness, these glands may swell to double or triple their regular size. At this point, they can be felt very easily. Additional signs and symptoms of swollen glands include:

Pain or tenderness when pressure is applied
Sore throat, fever and or sores in the mouth
Warm, red and swollen skin over the gland
Glands that feel “lumpy”

Causes and concerns

Soft, tender and moveable swollen glands are typically signs of an inflammation or infection. Lymph nodes that are painless, feel hard to the touch and resist movement need further examination by an ear, nose and throat specialist, as they could be warning signs of more serious conditions. The most common causes of swollen glands include:

Bacterial infections including strep throat
Infected teeth or mouth sores
Viral infections including mononucleosis, also known as "mono"
Skin infections
Ear infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STI)
Cancers like Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemia and breast cancer
Immunodeficiency conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus and HIV infections
Possible side effects from vaccines or other types of medications

Solutions and options

After the illness has been treated and you feel better overall, your lymph nodes should shrink back to normal. Treatment of your swollen glands tends to be cause-dependent. The following home remedies can prove to be helpful in reducing the pain and discomfort you are experiencing:

Non-prescription pain relievers: Tylenol (acetaminophen) and anti-inflammatory medications like Advil (ibuprofen) and help reduce the swelling and inflammation. However, do not ever administer aspirin to a child, as there is a risk for Reye's syndrome.
Warm, wet compresses: Apply to the affected areas for a soothing effect.
Rest: Make sure to get lots of rest, as this helps your body recover from illness.

When to see a Doctor

There are some symptoms and indications that your swollen glands require treatment from a healthcare professional.

Additional treatment may be required if swollen glands are accompanied by:

A high fever (more than 104 degrees F)
Breathing difficulties
Problems swallowing
Night sweats
Unexplained loss of weight
Reddened skin over top of the swollen lymph nodes
Large swollen nodes that are very tender, hard to the touch and do not reduce in size

The majority of cases of swollen glands are no cause for great concern. They usually go away with basic treatment at home. However, the more serious symptoms mentioned above should never be ignored. If you are experiencing persistent or problematic swollen glands, contact our office for an appointment. One of our competent ear, nose and throat specialists can offer you a solution and treatment.

What type of ear infection causes swollen lymph nodes?

Otitis externa, or swimmer's ear, is a condition that causes inflammation, irritation, or an infection of the ear canal. It can sometimes cause the lymph nodes around the ear to swell.

Can an ear infection cause lump in neck?

You may develop a neck mass due to a viral or bacterial infection. Ear or sinus infection, dental infection, strep throat, mumps, or a goiter may cause a neck mass. If your neck mass is from an infection, it should go away completely when the infection goes away.

How long do lymph nodes stay swollen after ear infection?

Swollen glands are a sign the body is fighting an infection. They usually get better by themselves within 2 weeks.

When should I worry about swollen lymph nodes in neck?

See your GP if you have swollen glands and: they feel hard or don't move when you press them. you also have a sore throat and find it difficult to swallow or breathe. you also have unexplained weight loss, night sweats or a persistent high temperature (fever) you don't have an obvious infection and don't feel unwell.