I just got back from taking my son to the doctor for the knot behind his ear and I'm not thrilled with the response I got. I thought I'd post it here to see if anyone can help me to understand what they said and if it sounds logical to you all.

The knot showed up yesterday morning and around the same time I noticed he has a scrape/scratch on his head in his hair. What she said was this is a swollen lymph node because the scrape/scratch is trying to get infected and that is why the lymph node is swollen. His ears and throat were fine.

Has anyone heard anything like this before, does it make sense? She told me to watch it and if it's not gone in three weeks to come back.

Thanks for any insight.

By Ladypeacek on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 05:06 pm:

That does sound odd, i would think about a second opinion, of course i am not a dr or nurse but it seems that if the cut was infected it would be swollen. I hope that it works out!!

By Mommyathome on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 05:12 pm:

It is true that lymph nodes can swell if there is an infection somewhere in the body. After the infection is gone, then the lymph node should return to normal size. 3 weeks sounds like a pretty good time frame.

I'm not a nurse BTW. But, I have done lots of research on lymph nodes!

By Kate on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 05:39 pm:

Makes sense to me, too. I am also not a nurse or have any real medical knowledge though. But it does make sense.

By Momaroze on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 06:10 pm:

Ditto Kate.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 09:24 pm:

Yes it does make sense... 100% She is right on. The swelling should go down as the infection clears up. Which generally takes 3 to 4 weeks depending on the stage of the infection.

"Our glands are a part of our immune system which fights off infection and diseases. Read on to find out more about glands and why they swell."

Check out the link for more info...

Infection/Swollen lymph glands

By Christylee on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 11:55 pm:

Thank you ALL... I'm feeling much better about things now. All your information really has helped alot, I appreciate it.

By Jessicac1979 on Saturday, May 29, 2004 - 04:45 pm:

i had this really HUGE pimple when I was a young teen on my chin and i went to the doctors for my lymph nodes and he said they were probably swollen b/c of my pimple, I thought he was nutts but I guess that is what it turned out to be-crazy! i had nothing wrong with my ears or throat!