Finding swelling in your neck when you otherwise feel well can be unsettling. You might notice a lump beneath your jaw, at the side of your neck or near your collarbone – but have no sore throat, fever or obvious illness.
In many cases, neck swelling isn’t cause for alarm. Still, it helps to understand what might be behind it and when to seek advice from a specialist.
Common reasons your neck may feel swollen
There are many possible reasons for neck swelling and different types of neck lumps. Some are temporary, while others may need checking by a medical professional.
Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons why your neck may be swollen.
1. Swollen lymph nodes after a minor infection
Lymph nodes are small glands that help your immune system fight infections. Lymph nodes can be found throughout the body, including the neck.
Your lymph nodes often swell when your body reacts to something, even if you didn’t feel particularly unwell at the time.
A cold, throat infection (such as tonsilitis) or dental issue can cause lymph nodes to enlarge and stay that way for a few weeks after you recover.
2. Blocked salivary glands
Salivary glands sit under your jaw and near your ears, producing saliva to help you chew and swallow. Sometimes these glands can become blocked by a small stone or a build-up of mucus, causing a lump that becomes more noticeable when you eat. It may come and go or settle on its own.
3. Thyroid lumps
Your thyroid is a small gland at the front of your neck that produces hormones. A lump in the lower front of the neck may be caused by a thyroid nodule (abnormal growths or lumps that form within the thyroid gland) or an enlarged thyroid gland (also called a goitre).
Generally, thyroid lumps aren’t serious, but they should always be assessed by a medical professional.
4. Fatty lumps and fluid-filled swellings
A soft, moveable lump under the skin could be a fatty lump called a lipoma, or a fluid-filled swelling such as a sebaceous cyst.
A sebaceous cyst forms when a sebaceous gland – which produces an oily substance called sebum to keep the skin and hair moisturised – becomes blocked. This blockage traps sebum and skin cells inside a thin sac, creating the cyst.
These are usually harmless and slow-growing. You might only notice them when they start to change in size or become uncomfortable.
5. Long-term (chronic) lymph node swelling
Sometimes, lymph nodes can stay enlarged for months, even after a virus has cleared.
While this can be normal, it’s important to get any lump checked if it is hard, fixed in place or increasing in size.
You should also speak to a doctor if you’ve had any additional symptoms such as unexplained night sweats, a persistent sore throat, difficulty swallowing, undue tiredness, unexplained tiredness, hoarseness or unexplained weight loss.
When should I see a specialist?
Consider booking an appointment if you notice:
- A persistent neck lump that lasts for more than three weeks
- A lump that is getting bigger or feels hard
- Ongoing discomfort or difficulty when swallowing or speaking
- Other changes, such as fatigue or swollen tonsils
A specialist evaluation may include a physical examination, ultrasound or other tests depending on the suspected cause.
Book an appointment with an ENT specialist
If you’ve noticed a swelling in your neck that isn’t going away, speak to a doctor. ENT (ear, nose and throat) specialists are trained to assess lumps in the head and neck area and can help determine the cause.
Mr Wale Olarinde is a Consultant ENT and Head and Neck Surgeon based in Sheffield, Chesterfield and South Yorkshire. He has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating neck lumps of all types, whether they are caused by infection, thyroid changes or other underlying conditions.
Book your appointment with Mr Wale Olarinde today for expert care and a clear treatment plan.