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What Causes Swollen Lymph Node In Armpit?
Hi, Around 3 and a half weeks ago I noticed what feels like a swollen lymph node in my right armpit, it was about the size of a pea and felt hard and painless. As you can imagine I ve been constantly checking it each day and it has got significantly smaller and has reduced in size by at least half, but it is still there. From reading online it seems that swollen lymph nodes that get smaller are normally not too much to worry about, but I m concerned that it hasn t disappeared completely. Do I need to be concerned? How long do swollen lymph nodes usually take to go back to normal? Thanks
Wed, 18 Nov 2015
Hello and welcome to HCM,
The most common cause of enlarged lymph node is infection or inflammation of surrounding region which the lymph node drains.
As the infection or inflammation resolves, the enlarged lymph node also decreases in size.
However, it may not completely come back to its normal size but there is nothing to worry in that case.
You can observe the lymph node for any enlargement or pain.
In case any of these two happens - enlargement or pain, you may consult your physician for clinical assessment and investigations.
But if there are no such symptoms, nothing needs to be done and there is nothing to worry also.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
The most common cause of enlarged lymph node is infection or inflammation of surrounding region which the lymph node drains.
As the infection or inflammation resolves, the enlarged lymph node also decreases in size.
However, it may not completely come back to its normal size but there is nothing to worry in that case.
You can observe the lymph node for any enlargement or pain.
In case any of these two happens - enlargement or pain, you may consult your physician for clinical assessment and investigations.
But if there are no such symptoms, nothing needs to be done and there is nothing to worry also.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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