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What Causes Neck Swelling And Swollen Lymph Nodes?

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Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2014
Question: I have neck swelling/pain that is increasing and swollen lymph nodes? in my neck and behind my ear following a dental extraction 4 days ago. I have another extraction on the same side to be done by an oral surgeon ..waiting for an appointment .. I am on clindamycin 150 mg 4x a day ,.. my ear on that side now feels blocked ..but the pain is increasing not decreasing and I have alternating sweats and chills.. Should I go to urgent care ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, get urgent care.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Yes, you should go to the ER and get an urgent examination done.

2. The increasing, swelling, pain, lymph nodes, alternating sweats with chills and a blocked ear are sign that the infection / inflammation are increasing.

3. You need additional antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication and a review of the the neck and dental extraction wound .

4. Inform the oral surgeon immediately. Such swellings can rapidly increase, making treatment more troublesome. Imaging may help.

5. Pus being acidic and cellulitis (swelling) affecting local blood flow will prevent most antibiotics from working well in that area and hence supportive medication is required. Most antibiotics work well within 48-72 hours. It has been over 4 days since your dental extraction.

I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 minutes later)
thank you for your help
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

Wishing you an early recovery,

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumit Bhatti (2 hours later)
Urgent care recommended a change in dosage for Clindamycin to 300 mg 3x day and switched pain med as you suggested they might . They are having imaging done in the morning by the oral surgeon .. Thank you again ..I feel better for having been seen.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for writing back.

I would recommend that they add another antibiotic covering gram negative and anaerobic bacteria such as a combination of norfloxacin+metronidazole or ofloxacin+ornidazole.

Wishing you good health,

Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2685 Questions

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What Causes Neck Swelling And Swollen Lymph Nodes?

Brief Answer: Yes, get urgent care. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. Yes, you should go to the ER and get an urgent examination done. 2. The increasing, swelling, pain, lymph nodes, alternating sweats with chills and a blocked ear are sign that the infection / inflammation are increasing. 3. You need additional antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication and a review of the the neck and dental extraction wound . 4. Inform the oral surgeon immediately. Such swellings can rapidly increase, making treatment more troublesome. Imaging may help. 5. Pus being acidic and cellulitis (swelling) affecting local blood flow will prevent most antibiotics from working well in that area and hence supportive medication is required. Most antibiotics work well within 48-72 hours. It has been over 4 days since your dental extraction. I hope that I have answered your queries. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them. Regards.