Content
The appearance of a lump in the neck is usually a sign of inflammation of a tongue due to infection, however it can also be caused by a lump in the thyroid or contracture in the neck, for example. These lumps can be painless or cause pain and discomfort, and can appear in different regions of the neck such as the nape, behind the ears or in the anterior region of the neck, for example.
It is important to see a doctor when the lump on the neck does not disappear over time or other symptoms appear, such as excessive tiredness, difficulty swallowing, general malaise and weight loss for no apparent reason.
The main causes of lump in the neck are:
1. Languages
When the lymph nodes are inflamed, they form tongues that manifest as lumps. These lumps can appear on the back of the neck or on the side behind the ear, depending on the ganglion that inflames, causing pain and discomfort to the touch.
Tongue can be caused by infections or inflammations such as inflammation in a tooth, flu, tonsillitis or otitis for example, and do not need specific treatment, as they end up disappearing when the cause of the problem is treated. Therefore, to treat the tongue, you should consult the doctor so that he can identify and treat what is causing the inflammation in the lymph nodes and associate it with rest and good hydration. See more about neck water.
However, if after a while the tongue does not decrease in size or if other symptoms appear, you should consult your doctor as it may be a symptom of a more serious problem such as sarcoidosis and Hodgkin's lymphoma, which is a type that affects the lymph nodes. Understand what Hodgkin's lymphoma is.
What to do: Rest and hydration are recommended, in addition to identifying and eliminating the cause that generated the water, since it is not necessary to take any specific remedy to treat it. However, the doctor may recommend analgesic or anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain or tenderness in the area. In addition, you can have an eucalyptus tea and use clay compresses, as they help to reduce inflammation and strengthen the body's defenses.
2. Thyroid nodule
When a lump appears on the front of the neck, it may be indicative of the presence of a thyroid nodule, which must be evaluated by an endocrinologist. Thyroid nodules usually do not cause symptoms, but in some cases they can cause sore throat, swelling in the neck or difficulty breathing and swallowing.
When these nodules appear, it is necessary to consult an endocrinologist so that the person's signs and symptoms can be assessed, in addition to performing diagnostic tests such as a biopsy, which identify whether the nodule is benign or whether there is a risk of cancer. Learn how to identify the thyroid nodule.
What to do: If the nodule is benign and there are no symptoms or changes in the hormones of this gland, monitoring is recommended, by means of ultrasounds and annual blood tests. On the other hand, with symptoms, changes in hormone levels or if there is a risk of cancer, the doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment, which may include medications such as levothyroxine or radioactive iodine, or surgery to remove the nodule may be necessary.
3. Contracture in the neck
Contractures in the neck can generate a painful lump on the back of the neck and arise when the muscle contracts incorrectly and fails to return to its normal state when at rest. Generally, these types of lumps are hard and come with pain and discomfort in the affected region, and there is also a limitation in movements. Here's how to identify a muscle contracture.
What to do: To treat a muscular contracture in the neck region, it is recommended to take a hot water bath, apply hot compresses to the painful area, massage the area with anti-inflammatory ointments, such as Cataflam, and stretch the muscles of the body. neck. In addition, the use of muscle relaxant medications, such as Miosan, may be indicated by the doctor to relieve contracture discomfort.
When contractures do not subside, worsen or when they cause persistent pain for more than 7 days, it is recommended to consult a doctor or physical therapist to evaluate other ways to treat the problem.
4. Sebaceous cyst
Another possible cause that can lead to the appearance of a lump in the neck is sebaceous cysts, which form on the skin due to the accumulation of sebum, which is an oily substance produced in the skin for the lubrication and protection of hair.
These types of lumps or cysts are small, soft and do not cause pain, but when they are inflamed they cause redness, pain and increased temperature in the region where they appear.
What to do: The treatment of these lumps requires evaluation by a dermatologist, who may indicate that a minor surgery is performed to remove the cyst. Learn more about the treatment of sebaceous cysts.
5. Cancer
In the most severe cases, the appearance of a lump in the neck may indicate the presence of cancer and, in these cases, the lump is accompanied by other symptoms, such as hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing, a sensation in the throat, frequent choking, loss of weight without apparent cause and general malaise. The tumors that arise in the neck may be of local structures, such as muscles, lymph nodes, skin, or of organs that are in that region, such as the thyroid, or they may be a metastasis.
What to do: In the presence of a nodule associated with the aforementioned symptoms, it is recommended to consult the doctor as soon as possible, so that the diagnosis can be made and the best treatment indicated.
6. Infectious parathyroid
Infectious parotitis, better known as mumps or mumps, appears as a lump between the ear and the chin due to inflammation of the parotid glands, which are saliva-producing glands, when they are affected by the family virus Paramyxoviridae. In addition to the lump in the neck, the person may have fever and pain in that region.
What to do: The treatment of mumps is done in order to relieve the symptoms of the disease and, therefore, the general practitioner or pediatrician can recommend the use of analgesics, such as paracetamol, to reduce discomfort, in addition to rest, intake of water and pasty food that are also important to improve symptoms until the body is able to eliminate the mumps virus.