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What Does Swelling On The Back Of The Head Indicate?
I ve got swelling under my scalp from just below crown on the right rear side of my head down to my neck all behind the ear. It started with a little scratch on the top of the infected area. Had for two days now, the area is increasing in area under the skin. No redness apparent, but tender to touch and starting to get migraine like symptoms with dizziness. My lymph gland under my mandible is also swollen as of today and also tender. Using cold compresses to relieve pain. Compresses not working now in last 12 hours. Dizziness getting worse. I am diabetic, on glypicide and metformin, a friend gave me som arginine supplement pills to try. Wondering if it is exacerbating a latent herpes virus that has manifest itself twice in the last 5 years leading to a bout with Bells Palsey once and Ramsey Hunt on the other side two years later. It s been two years since my last episode. What do you think?
Mon, 30 Jul 2018
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
With increasing, tender swelling of scalp and neck which began as an infected insect bite and now there is lymph node enlargement, there is a very good likelihood that this is cellulitis. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the tissue below the skin which has swelling, tenderness, and warmth and redness. Cellulitis spreads rapidly and person has fever.
This can be a very dangerous infection. You MUST get medical care immediately. GO to nearest emergency room to have a doctor examine you NOW.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be happy to help.
Arnold Zedd, MD, FAAP
With increasing, tender swelling of scalp and neck which began as an infected insect bite and now there is lymph node enlargement, there is a very good likelihood that this is cellulitis. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the tissue below the skin which has swelling, tenderness, and warmth and redness. Cellulitis spreads rapidly and person has fever.
This can be a very dangerous infection. You MUST get medical care immediately. GO to nearest emergency room to have a doctor examine you NOW.
Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be happy to help.
Arnold Zedd, MD, FAAP
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