How can i tell if i have swollen lymph nodes myself?

Not always: Generally those that can be felt will be in the neck, in the armpit, along the inguinal area, and along the groove above the clavicle. These will feel like round bumps, usually a centimeter or more in size, and may or may not be tender, feel soft or hard, be movable or not. The clue is that they are new, and have not been felt previously.

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. They shrink when all is well.