Inflammation of the lymph nodes behind the ear

Our lymphatic system is part of the immune system, that is, the protective barrier of the body. And the direct duty of the lymph nodes, with their special cells - macrophages, to serve as a biological filter that absorbs and destroys microbes, bacteria and toxins. So very often, as soon as somewhere in the body there is a significant focus of infection, there is inflammation of the lymph nodes behind the ear, on the neck, in the armpit or groin, depending on the location of the infection.

The human lymphatic system is no less important than the circulatory. Many beneficial substances and enzymes are carried by the lymph, and neutralized bacteria are removed that have entered our body.

The lymphatic system (which includes lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, tonsils and adenoids) provides blood purification and production of lymphocytes. And lymphocytes, in turn, produce antibodies that fight off various infections.

The cause of the inflammation of the lymph nodes behind the ear

To understand the causes of inflammation of the lymph nodes behind the ear, you will have to remember a little more about the anatomy and physiology... The lymph nodes, which in the human body are almost six hundred, are formations ranging in size from 0.5 to 50 mm round, oval or bean-shaped. Most often they are arranged in groups, and the lymph from each organ enters certain (regional) lymph nodes.

Located behind the ears (parotid) lymph nodes are concentrated along the posterior auricular vein. In the normal state, they are soft and do not come to light on palpation. But with inflammation, the lymph nodes behind the ear increase in size, become more dense and clearly palpable.

In most cases, inflammation of the lymph nodes behind the ear is a manifestation of the disease of the organ that is in close proximity to this node. First of all, these are various inflammatory processes in the ears:

• otitis,
• eustachite,
• inflammation of the auditory nerve
• furuncle of the external auditory canal

Next come the mouth and throat:

• dental caries,
• flute,
• tonsillitis
• pharyngitis,
• inflammation of the salivary glands or tonsils.

Often the cause of the inflammation of the lymph nodes behind the ear is a cold and acute respiratory viral infections with a bad cold.

In addition, this inflammation can be a symptom of infectious diseases - mumps (mumps) or rubella.

If an increase in the lymph node is not accompanied by pain and suppuration, and its cause lies in one of the above diseases and after its treatment everything returns to normal - doctors diagnose it as a local lymphadenopathy, that is, the reaction of the body's lymphatic system to an infection for a specific disease.

But if, in response to the penetration of the infection, there is a strong inflammation of the nodes, which is accompanied not only by their swelling, but also by the sensation of pain, then it is lymphadenitis. That is, the inflammation of the lymph node itself, caused by its defeat by infected cells from other inflammatory foci. There may be an increase in body temperature, and the appearance of suppuration in the lymph node.

Symptoms of inflammation of the lymph nodes behind the ear

The main symptom of inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear is an increase in its size and pain when palpating, giving in the ear and submandibular region. Quite often redness and swelling of the skin over the knot may occur.

But with lymphadenitis that has passed into the stage of suppuration, the patient complains not only of the painful lump “bump” behind the ear, but also of general malaise, headache, fever (from subfebrile to + 38 ° C.), loss of appetite and worsening sleep In some cases, pustular eruptions appear in the lymph node area.

With a purulent process that affects the lymph node, shooting or throbbing pain is quite strong and almost continuous. And such symptoms of inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear should be a reason to immediately consult a doctor.

According to doctors, any inflammation in the head is dangerous to life. And we must remember that the delay in the treatment of purulent lymphadenitis is fraught with general blood infection (sepsis) or, “at best,” with adenoflegmona, in which the festering lymph node breaks and the pus penetrates into the surrounding tissues.

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Diagnosis of inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear

As already noted, the lymph nodes behind the ear (as well as in the neck) can grow in any acute viral infection of the upper respiratory tract and inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract. Therefore, it is very important data history of the disease (information about the development of the disease, past illnesses, etc.).

An enlarged lymph node may be insignificant - the size of a pea, and may reach the size of a walnut. In any case, when diagnosing inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear, the doctor carefully examines the inflamed node and palpates it. Feeling revealed not only the degree of increase, but also the level of pain of the patient.

In this case, the occipital and cervical lymph nodes, as well as other nearby glands are subject to inspection: the salivary glands, tonsils, lacrimal and thyroid glands. In many cases of inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear, the history and examination data are sufficient for determining the diagnosis and prescription of treatment.

And in this case, the treatment of the underlying disease that caused lymphadenopathy leads to the normalization of the size of the lymph node. But when the antibacterial preparations prescribed by the doctor did not bring a positive result, and the inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear did not pass, but increased in size to 3-4 cm, became solid, and surrounding tissues were involved in the inflammatory process, a blood test was performed. And then on the basis of ESR and the content of leukocytes, the scale and intensity of the inflammatory process becomes clear.

If the analysis results are unsatisfactory, the attending physician will prescribe an x-ray, ultrasound examination or tomography (CT). The fact is that inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear can be a symptom of a primary malignant tumor of the lymph nodes (lymphoma) or metastases in them. So it is not excluded the need for a biopsy.

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Treatment of inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear

With inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear due to a cold, flu, otitis, etc., “eliminating the cause will relieve the consequences,” that is, treatment of the primary infectious focus will result in normal and lymph node.

It must be borne in mind that in order to reduce pain and eliminate other symptoms of inflammation of the lymph node behind the ear, in no case should thermal procedures be used. In order not to harm your health and not get more serious diseases, you should contact the specialists - for the correct diagnosis and the appointment of adequate treatment.

In the treatment of acute forms of lymph node inflammation of the ear apply broad-spectrum antibiotics, sulfonamides, antihistamines and fortifying agents. Anesthetics and analgesics are used to get rid of pain. To reduce puffiness, physiotherapy can be prescribed.

In the treatment of acute suppurative lymphadenitis, complicated by phlegmonous or necrotic process, antibiotics are also used and an ulcer is dissected, followed by drug therapy for inflammation.