Lymph Node on My 4Yr Olds Neck a SCARED MOMMY..need Advice

Sounds like she has an infection that just don't go away. When the lymph nodes swell they are trying to do their job with the immune system to fight off whatever is going on. I believe ringworm IS a skin infection and has nothing to do with actual worms. You might need to see a different doc since you keep getting the same result from the one you are seeing. Get a 2nd look from someone else.

Your body has between ###-###-#### lymph nodes. Unfortunately, as a lymphoma survivor (Hodgkins), I know a little too much about them.

Based upon your message, I'd ask for an appointment with an ENT (Ear Neck Throat specialist) and get a biopsy. Get the entire thing removed (which will be painful) and have them biopsy it vs. a fine needle aspiration which collects only a small sample of lymph tissue).

95% of lymph node enlargements are the normal process of the body fighting infection. They get inflamed (not hard) as they're processing the invading materials. My lymph nodes that caught my attention were in my collarbone area. The only good thing that comes from those being swollen is Cat Scratch Fever. I knew before diagnosis I had cancer.

But the cervical lymph nodes (neck) are commonly swollen. The concerning part is that they're getting harder. Do they hurt? Pain is a good sign with lymph nodes. Mine did not hurt. Do they move freely? That's a good sign, too.

It's possible that recurrent infection is the cause, and it's the probability. For your peace of mind, follow your instincts and follow-up as needed. Get other opinions if you need to.

DON'T GET ON THE INTERNET TO DO RESEARCH unless your nerves are steel. You'll find everything scary when you need comfort.

Good luck. Please keep us posted on how she's doing. I don't want to scare you, but I also don't want you to dismiss it (like most people did, including physicians) in my case. I was fortunate to catch it early and have been clean for over 18 months.

are you seeing a specialist for the lymph node? i would def see a specialist for that. any changes in size would concern me. hopefully its nothing, but there is no reason not to get more opinions from experts, at the least to set yourself at ease.

now to the ringworm, i have to ask, are you sure? was that diagnosed by a dermatologist? my husband was mistakenly diagnosed twice with ringworm of the hair which is much more severe than on the skin. you have to take medication that can damage your liver permanently. he was at least wrestling and going to the gym, so we did think thats where he got it. when it came back again, a dermatologist took one look at it and said it was seborric dermatitis, use head and shoulders when it acts up. he laughed at the ringworm diagnosis.

i just would really want to be sure of ringworm on a young child, esp consider you are clean and treat it properly. i know kids get it, but would want a second opinion considering it keeps returning. at the very least, the dermatologist may have different treatment options.

i dont think you are overeacting at all. a growing lymphnode and reoccuring ringworm, neither one are something to be ignored. second opinions with specialists will either confirm these diagnosis, or maybe correct a misdiagnosis, it cant hurt to overeact but can be devastating to undereact. good luck.

My son has had a lump on the side of his neck (behind his ear but on his neck) for almost 2 years (he's 3.5 now)... It's the size of a grape.. I was FREAKING out when I discovered it... 3 doctors (not specialists) have said it's fine.. It's a swollen lymph node that could of been caused by him getting sick one time and just never went away... A big thing that they checked for was to make sure it rolled around the skin surface.. The doctor would like for him to see a specialist but I no longer freak out about it...
I would measure it, just to keep record that it doesn't get bigger.. That's what I have done and it hasn't changed in size...
My 40 year old friend has the same thing on his neck (and he's a medical advisor) and has had it for about 4 years and it's fine...
Let us know what happens

No you are not over reacting. You are worried about your child. My soon to be 7 year old has also had a lymnp node on her neck for years.. Gosh I had her doctor check it about 4 years ago and was told not to worry. That sometimes kids have lymph nodes that appear swollen. But as long as she did not complain about it. Not to worry. I also use to work for a general surgeon and he checked it also and told me that it can be very common and sometimes when they have a cold/runny nose and I think a fever it can seem to look bigger. So I do not worry about it now. But we go to the doctor in a few weeks for a yearly and I will have the doctor check over it again. So let me know what the doctor said and I will do the same. Good luck and god bless you for being a good concern Mommy.
M.

no but to let you know the lymp nodes need to be swallon to fight the deases in her body. thats probably why its being so big n not going away she has a viral thing or something else running its course once its gane the lymph should go down if not than i would go back to the dr. u need to try to boost her ammune system

Hi A.,

Lymph nodes collect toxins in the body (much like the tonsils, adenoids, liver and appendix). They protect us. When they get irritated, getting big and hard, it's working overtime. It's sometimes hard to figure out what causes a swollen lymph node because so many things can. The first thing I would do is work on improving his immune system. His body is having trouble fighting something off. I have ideas/solutions if you'd like to private message me.

The lymph node itself is not a problem at all but if it continues this way something (germ, bacteria, fungus, synthetic toxin,etc.) is trying to get in. This red flag is good. Now you know.

God bless,

M.

re Ringworm---probably related to pets.
re lymph node---ask lots of questions, ask why it is getting bigger and why the doctor thinks it will go away, and any other question you may have.
I can tell you that one of mine had a growth of some kind and the doc didn't want to remove it but to wait and see. It got bigger and then was harder to remove. Harmless, I think, but a big scar that could have been a tiny scar if removed earlier.
Lymph nodes are something they probably want to leave intact because the body has an important use for them---but make sure they listen to you and answer your questions. Sometimes docs don't listen because they are in a rush or they assume they know what you are saying based on what they are used to hearing from other parents.

My daughter has one on her neck also...we noticed it at around 18 months after she was sick with a cold. I have had it looked at numerous times. Her Dr finally did a blood test, which came back normal. I've noticed it appears larger when she is sick with something. But other than that it is a free moving lymph node just about the size of a marble. It worries me too, but when I was researching it, I found it to be very common. I've also read that some parents are so bothered by it, they tend to have it removed. I am not that bothered by it, to have my daughter get it removed. She is now almost 3, so she has also had it for quite some time.

p.s. I think whats most helped ease my fears is the fact that my dad had non Hodgkin lymphoma when I was around 3 and he has felt it and said for me not to worry.

I know also that lymph nodes swell when fighting an infection. Thats their job! If the spot on her head right now is pusy, then it is more than likely an infection and the lymph nodes are working to fight it. The best defense for children and adults alike are to be taking high quality nutritionals. We do not get what our cells need to stay healthy in our foods now-a-days!!!!! The highest quality nutritional is from USANA HEALTH SCIENCES. There is a 3rd party study and it is documented in "The Comparative Guide To Nutritional Supplements" by Lyle MacWilliam, that out of over 1600 nutritionals, Usana ranks the highest in the world. My husband and I and our 3 children take the vitamins every day and we personally, haven't had any sickness or even as much as a cold for a very long time!! It's what our cells need!! They have a childrens chewable too! If you're interested in long term health, check out the website or you can contact me and I can get you more info. I wish you all the best!

Sincerely, B. Hooyer
website - bhooyer.usana.com
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