Treatment of lymphadenitis (inflammation of lymph nodes)

A lymphadenitis is the inflammation of lymph nodes, from which the nodes, located in the groin and axillary creases, are most often affected. The disease can be caused by the infections, bacteria, parasites, fungi or tumors.

One of the functions of the lymphatic system in the organism is protective. The lymph nodes are the barrier for spreading of infection and cancerous cells and the “factories” for production of lymphocytes. That is why if they are affected, the whole immune system of the organism is affected. In addition, the inflammation of the lymph node is the sign of possible problems in the area, in which the lymph is located.

Even in case if the affected lymph node was opened by the surgeon, you still need to be examined by the family doctor or physician, who will find the cause, which induced development of the lymphadenitis and will remove it to avoid recurrence in the future. 

Make appointment with the doctors of the Family Medicine Department by calling us or filling out the form on our website. 

The disease can be easily recognized from some characteristic symptoms:

• enlargement of the lymph node;
• redness;
• site of inflammation is warmer than the surrounding skin.

Then the swelling and chill may appear and body temperature rise may occur. Due to the severe pain, the hand (in case of inflammation of axillary lymph node) or leg (in case of inflammation of the inguinal lymph node) takes forced position so that the extremity does not squeeze the inflamed node.

Many causes of development of the lymphadenitis are conventionally divided into two groups: infectious and non-infectious. The infectious are the above-said bacteria, viruses, parasites and funguses. The infections, penetrating into the organism, with blood and lymph flow, reach lymph nodes, causing the lymphadenitis. Some of them are relatively harmless, such as ARVI, while other (tuberculosis) are the dangerous diseases.

There are few non-infectious causes of the lymphadenitis: inflammatory process, as the reaction to foreign body or tumor.

You can suspect by yourself that you have the lymphadenitis, because its symptoms cannot be easily confused with manifestations of other diseases. But you cannot understand on your own what caused the lymphadenitis – you need to visit the family doctor for examination and medical tests.

In addition, the lymphadenitis can be complicated by the periadenitis and adenophlegmon, the diagnosis of which will require the doctor’s intervention. 

Why is it important to visit the doctor with the first symptoms of lymphadenitis? The matter is that at the early stages, the disease can be treated without operation, by using medications, resting regime for the affected organ and procedures.

For treatment, the doctor may prescribe:

• antibiotics;
• pain relief medications;
• anti-inflammatory and other drugs.

If the disease is in its advanced stage, the only treatment is the surgical opening of inflamed lymph node and removal of pus.