Short link: https://short.pageviewpro.com/IKvr9P
Finding a lump in your neck can be scary. Many people immediately think of the worst, but the truth is that neck lumps are often caused by common and treatable problems, such as swollen glands after a cold, throat infection, dental infection, or skin irritation.
Still, a neck lump should never be completely ignored. Some lumps go away on their own, while others need a medical checkup, especially if they keep growing, feel hard, do not move, or come with symptoms like fever, night sweats, weight loss, trouble swallowing, or voice changes. The NHS advises seeing a GP if swollen glands are getting bigger, do not go down within a week, feel hard or fixed, or appear with symptoms such as night sweats or high temperature.
What Is a Neck Lump?
A neck lump is any swelling, bump, or raised area that appears on the front, side, or back of the neck. It may feel soft, firm, painful, painless, movable, or fixed under the skin.
Some lumps are related to lymph nodes, also called glands. These are part of the immune system and can swell when your body is fighting an infection. Mayo Clinic explains that swollen lymph nodes usually happen because of bacterial or viral infections, and only rarely are they caused by cancer.
Other lumps may come from the skin, thyroid gland, salivary glands, muscles, fat tissue, or other structures in the neck.
1. Swollen Lymph Nodes
Swollen lymph nodes are one of the most common causes of a neck lump. They often appear during or after infections such as a cold, flu, sore throat, ear infection, tooth infection, or skin infection.
These lumps may feel tender or painful when touched. They are often movable and may slowly shrink as the infection improves. NHS Inform notes that swollen lymph glands caused by infection usually get better by themselves within one to two weeks.
However, swollen lymph nodes should be checked if they continue to grow, last several weeks, feel hard, do not move, or appear with unexplained fever, night sweats, or weight loss. Mayo Clinic recommends medical advice if swollen lymph nodes have no clear cause, continue growing, last two to four weeks, feel hard or rubbery, or come with fever, night sweats, or weight loss.
2. Skin Cysts
A cyst is a small sac under the skin that may contain fluid or thick material. Cysts can appear almost anywhere on the body, including the neck. They are often round, smooth, and slow-growing.
A cyst may not hurt unless it becomes irritated or infected. If it becomes red, warm, painful, or starts draining, it should be checked by a healthcare professional.
Do not squeeze or cut a cyst at home, because this can make irritation or infection worse.
3. Lipomas
