Occipital Lymph nodes are small kidney or oval-shaped glands in the lymphatic system that plays an important role in the body’s immune response. They filter out bacteria and other invaders before these pathogens can return to the bloodstream. In addition, Lymph nodes exist throughout the body, including in the back area of the skull, which is called the occipital region.
Medical professionals explain nodes in this area as occipital lymph nodes. Moreover, most of the cases may not notice their lymph nodes. When they are small or normal in size. However, if the occipital lymph nodes are fighting off an illness or infections, it starts increasing their size, and people may be able to see and feel them. Moreover, it may be painful or tender to the touch as well.
Usually, if only the lymph nodes become swollen, it means that it has been infected, inflamed and swallowed more, in that case-patients have some kind of infection on their head or scalp.
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Introduction: Occipital Lymph Nodes
Lymph nodes play an essential part in immune health. As part of the lymphatic system, they help to filter out bacteria and viruses that might otherwise cause infection throughout the body. Swollen lymph nodes occur as a symptom of leukaemia prior to their diagnosis. For the vast majority of cases, swollen lymph nodes indicate nothing more than the fact that the body is fighting off an infection.
However, they could be a warning sign of something more serious, such as blood cancer. It is also known as swollen glands. Lymph nodes are pre-sized lumps of tissue that contain white blood cells. Commonly, it is found in the neck, the armpit or in the groyne area.
For the vast majority of cases, swollen lymph nodes indicate nothing more than the fact that the body is fighting off an infection such as tonsillitis or even a common cold.
Cause of the Occipital Lymph Nodes:
The common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection. The lymph glands near an infection swell quickly and become tender as the immune system fights off infection germs (bacteria, viruses etc). The lymph glands usually go back to their normal pea size when the infection is over. It can take a week or so for them gradually to go back to normal after the infection.
There are many kinds of infections that cause swollen lymph nodes. Few among them are given below.
- Throat infection, tonsillitis, common cold and tooth-related infections may cause lymph glands in the neck to swell.
- Scalp skin conditions or even head lice may cause the lymph glands at the back of the head to swell.
- Skin infections of the arm may cause lymph glands in the armpit to swell.
- Infections of the leg or genitals, or nappy rash, may cause lymph glands in the groyne to swell.
- Viral infections such as flu (influenza), chickenpox or glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) affect the whole body. You may then develop swollen lymph glands in various parts of the body such as the neck, armpit and groynes.
Symptoms of Occipital Lymph nodes
Various skin infections can affect the scalp, which can cause the occipital lymph nodes to swell. In rare cases, the swelling of these lymph nodes can be a sign of cancer.
The most common symptoms of following swollen occipital lymph nodes cause include,
Bacterial infection:
Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria cause the majority of skin infections. The occipital lymph nodes may swell as they collect the bacteria. Other signs of a skin infection include,
- Redness around the injury
- Swelling, pain (Tramadol), or warmth
- Red streaks on the skin
- Yellow drainage or crust
- Blister-like sores
- Fever
Ringworm
Ringworm is a highly contagious fungal infection. When it affects the scalp, it is called tinea capitis. Tinea capitis can cause swelling of the occipital lymph nodes. Other signs of ringworm on the scalp include,
- One or more bald patches on the scalp
- A ring-like rash
- Itching
Rubella (German measles)
Rubella is a contagious disease that occurs due to a virus. According to the CDC, “the rubella vaccine has dramatically decreased the number of cases. Rubella can cause swollen lymph nodes in the head and neck, including the occipital nodes. Other symptoms of rubella include,
- Low-grade fever
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Runny nose
- Measles-like rash that appears on the face and then spreads
Melanoma
Melanoma nodes can affect any area of the body, including the scalp. If it does affect the scalp, the occipital lymph nodes may swell as they try to filter out cancer cells. Symptoms and signs of melanoma include a spot or mole on the skin. Other signs are,
- Asymmetrical (the two halves do not match)
- Uneven with irregular borders
- Multicoloured
- Large in diameter (larger than a pencil eraser)
- Darker in colour than other moles
- Evolving or changing over time
Melanoma nodes can be life-threatening. Spots on the scalp can be harder to detect if the hair covers them. Anyone who is concerned about the risk of the Melanoma nodes, he/she should immediately consult with the doctor.
Remedies of Occipital Lymph nodes
Before initiating the remedies for Lymph nodes, the medical professional will try to find the cause of Occipital Lymph nodes. They may check the scalp for signs of infection or cancer.
In some cases, a physical exam is sufficient to detect the occipital lymph nodes. Moreover, in the case of cancer, doctors may ask to perform a biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of skin and sending it to a lab test.
The type of treatment depends on the cause of the nodes. Minor cases usually do not need medical attention, while more complex infections such as ringworm may require a doctor’s prescription.
Occipital lymph nodes usually go back to normal after the minor treatment of the cause. Swollen occipital lymph is usually caused by infection and inflammation. Most cases usually get cured after some treatment. Moreover, if swelling on the neck or groyne grows by the time, patients should immediately consult with the doctor.
Summary:
Swollen occipital lymph nodes are a sign that the immune system is fighting off an invader. lymph nodes are caused by infection and inflammation. The lymph glands near an infection swell quickly and become tender as the immune system fights off infection germs (bacteria, viruses etc). The lymph glands usually go back to their normal pea size when the infection is over. It can take a week or so for them gradually to go back to normal after the infection. Occipital Lymph nodes filter out bacteria and other invaders before these pathogens can return to the bloodstream. In addition, Lymph nodes exist throughout the body, including in the back area of the skull, which is called the occipital region. Medical professionals explain nodes in this area as lymph nodes.
Moreover, Lymph nodes play an essential part in immune health. As part of the lymphatic system, they help to filter out bacteria and viruses that might otherwise cause infection throughout the body. Swollen lymph nodes occur as a symptom of leukaemia prior to their diagnosis. For the vast majority of cases, swollen lymph nodes indicate nothing more than the fact that the body is fighting off an infection. Lymph nodes are pre-sized lumps of tissue that contain white blood cells. Commonly, it is found in the neck, the armpit or in the groyne area.