Question 1

i am having laser tattoo removal on the back of my neck. i had my first session two weeks ago , its healing very well however i noticed a round hard painful lump at the base of my skull back of neck. swollen lymph node??

Accepted Answer

: You are likely correct. Any disturbance of the skin surface as would be in tattoo removal may trigger enlargement of local nodes that can persist for a few weeks.

Question 2

why is my lymph node swollen?

Accepted Answer

Uncertain: Lymph nodes can swell in response to inflammation, infections and even in some types of cancer.

Question 3

how long can a lymph node stay swollen for?

Accepted Answer

: Depends on why the node swelled up in the first place. An untreated lymphoid malignancy will stay swollen. Untreated infections, especially chronic infection may keep a node enlarged for months. An enlargement from acute bacterial infection, like strep throat, would subside in weeks.

Question 4

what could a swollen painful lymph node mean?

Accepted Answer

A painful: Swollen node is usually a healthy response to a local infection or recent injury.

Question 5

why might it be that only one lymph node be swollen?

Accepted Answer

Infection or tumor: The usual cause is some infection in the area drained by that node. Less commonly tumors may present as a swollen node.

Question 6

what exactly does it mean if your lymph node is swollen?

Accepted Answer

Infection or tumor: The two common causes of lymph node enlargement are local or general infection; or tumors such as lymphoma, leukemia, and metastatic tumor. It is not feasible to know the cause without a good history, physical examination and may be lab tests and imaging studies.

Question 7

can a lymph node get swollen and stay that way for a year?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Lymphatic system absorbs/carries things too big to go into the arteries/veins like bacteria eaten by white cells and digested food. Lymph nodes "taste" the lymph for anything bad  like bacteria/viruses/cancers, etc. When it detects a problem, it alerts the immune system and your body reacts.  They enlarge in response to the inflammation they create when they react.  They shrink when all is well.

Question 8

how long is it possible for a lymph node to remain swollen?

Accepted Answer

Depends on cause: Some may remain for very lengthy time periods and others will vanish within days.  It all depends on why they were enlarged to begin with.

Question 9

how big should a lymph node be before it is considered 'swollen'?

Accepted Answer

Swollen lymph node.: Generally speaking, lymph nodes are not palpable. And if they are palpable, they are usually very small, certainly smaller than a pea or a jellybean.  So swelling of a lymph node would imply that either a small lymph node is noticeably larger or that you’re feeling lymph nodes in an area that you hadn’t felt them in previously. Obviously, clinical context is important.

Question 10

what should i do if lymph node been swollen for just over 2 months?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring Centers: Lymphatic system absorbs/carries things too big to go into the arteries/veins like bacteria eaten by white cells and digested food. Lymph nodes "taste" the lymph for anything bad  like bacteria, viruses, cancers, etc.  When it detects a problem, it alerts the immune system and your body reacts.  They enlarge in response to the inflammation they create when they react.  2 months needs evaluation.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Lymph node swellon after biobsi

A member asked:

I am having laser tattoo removal on the back of my neck. i had my first session two weeks ago , its healing very well however i noticed a round hard painful lump at the base of my skull back of neck. swollen lymph node??

A member asked:

Why is my lymph node swollen?

A member asked:

How long can a lymph node stay swollen for?

A member asked:

What could a swollen painful lymph node mean?

A member asked:

Why might it be that only one lymph node be swollen?

A member asked:

What exactly does it mean if your lymph node is swollen?

A member asked:

Can a lymph node get swollen and stay that way for a year?

A member asked:

How long is it possible for a lymph node to remain swollen?

A member asked:

How big should a lymph node be before it is considered 'swollen'?

A member asked:

What should i do if lymph node been swollen for just over 2 months?

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?