If you can’t feel anything at all, that’s okay. It likely means your lymph nodes are not swollen. Press gently and move your fingers slowly to feel for lumps under the skin. Lymph nodes are typically present in groups, and are about the size of a pea or bean. Healthy lymph nodes should feel more rubbery and pliable than the surrounding tissue but not hard as a rock.
If you can’t feel the lymph nodes in your neck, lean your head towards the side you are having trouble checking. This will relax the muscles and allow you to feel the lymph nodes more easily.
The lymph nodes are in the center of each collarbone.
Wear a thin T-shirt or nothing at all to make these lymph nodes easier to feel.
The nodes in this area are typically right below a large ligament, so they can be hard to feel unless they are swollen. Be sure to feel both sides of the groin. This will allow you to compare how they feel and to identify if one side of lymph nodes is swollen.
Most swollen lymph nodes go away on their own within a few days. You can reduce swollen lymph nodes by using a warm compress and taking an OTC medication, like ibuprofen. If your lymph nodes are pea-sized or bean-sized, they are not swollen. [7] X Research source
The common cold, which can be treated at home with rest and OTC pain medicine. Strep throat, which can be treated with prescription antibiotics. Lupus, which must be treated by a doctor using prescription medication. Arthritis, which can be managed at home using pain medication and self care.
Unexplained weight loss Night sweats Persistent fever Trouble swallowing or breathing
Runny nose Fever Sore throat Swelling of several lymph node areas at the same time
It’s likely you will be tested for the most common illnesses that cause lymph nodes to swell, including common viruses like strep throat.
Diagnostic tests will allow the doctor to assess how your immune system is functioning, such as whether you have a low blood count, and whether there is anything abnormal going on in the lymph nodes themselves.
A lymph node biopsy is usually an outpatient procedure, but it does require an incision or deep needle puncture to get a sample of your lymph node cells. Which test the doctor chooses depends on what lymph nodes they are testing and what they suspect might be the problem.
